Calgary: The Canadian Music Centre: Prairie Region is pleased to announce that composer and performer Nic Bray (Manitoba) is the winner of the 2025 Emerging Composer Competition (ECC) for his piece, Spruce.
“Beams of sunlight gently twist between emerald needles, cascading across a calm but flowing creek near a shaded hammock as the overwhelming, yet calming beauty of the might spruce tree seeps from my consciousness into my subconscious”.
Nic Bray is a multifaceted musician whose talents span composition, orchestration, songwriting, and jazz saxophone performance. His music often bridges the gap between contemporary classical, jazz, and pop idioms, showcasing a versatile and innovative approach to composition. In 2023, Nic completed his bachelor’s degree in jazz performance at Brandon University and has since begun a master’s program in composition at the same institution. He also plans to begin his doctoral studies in the fall.
Nic’s commitment to music extends beyond personal achievement, as he actively engages in community outreach. These initiatives serve a dual purpose, fostering and elevating emerging local artistic talent while simultaneously fundraising to provide support for local public resources. By leveraging his connections to his community, Nic creates opportunities for aspiring artists to showcase their work and gain exposure in the local arts scene.
Nic’s projects also address the critical issue of underfunded community resources. Through fundraising events and collaborative performances, Nic demonstrates how the arts can be a powerful tool for local artistic development and financial support. His work exemplifies the potential for musicians to make a significant impact beyond the stage, using their talents to build stronger, more vibrant communities.
The ECC is a joint project of the Canadian Music Centre, Prairie Region, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO), and the Winnipeg New Music Festival (WNMF). Bray’s piece, Spruce, will be PREMIERED by the WSO at the 2025 edition of the WNMF. The adjudication was based on anonymous score submissions. The panel consisted of Kristin Flores (CMC Associate Composer), Daniel Raiskin (WSO Music Director and WNMF Artistic Director), and Haralabos [Harry] Stafylakis (WSO Composer-in-Residence & WNMF Co-Curator).