The TD JUNOS Submissions Access Program helps shine the spotlight on Canadian musicians

Awards Season is officially upon us and, undoubtedly, one of the most important ceremonies to Canadians year after year is the annual celebration of our music -- The 2023 JUNO Awards.

This year’s ceremony is taking place in Edmonton, Alberta, on Monday, March 13, offering Canadians a front row seat into a diverse selection of musical talent from across the country.

However, despite hard work and dedication, some artists face additional roadblocks including costs associated with amplifying their work. Thanks to support from the TD JUNOS Submissions Access Program, created by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), and funded by TD, the Program helps these artists cover the costs involved in submitting their work in a single JUNO Award category.

"We pride ourselves on being the "Bank of Music". No matter the genre, beat or melody, music brings individuals from all backgrounds together. It’s this fundamental power of connection that spurs our support of music and cultural festivals and community programs across the country," says Betsey Chung, EVP and Global Chief Marketing Officer, TD Bank Group. "Sponsoring the JUNO Awards for the past 12 years, we're proud to help support artists from underrepresented communities through the TD JUNOS Submissions Access Program, offering them the chance to share their musical talents and go after their dreams."

Artists from all genres can apply to the program, as long as they are independent (not directly signed to a major label) and identify as being from an underrepresented community, including racialized groups, Indigenous artists, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and people living with a disability.

In addition to covering submission fees, successful applicants who became 2023 JUNO Award nominees received $1,500 bursary funds from TD to help offset expenses associated with travelling to Edmonton for the 2023 JUNO Awards.

The Program, introduced in 2021 was a huge success again this year, with 13 eligible artists who applied to the Program landing nominations for a 2023 JUNO Award as a result.

That includes Kairo McLean, whose debut EP, Easy Now, won last year’s JUNO Award for Reggae Recording of the Year, making him the youngest person in JUNOS history to receive that recognition.

This year, with the help of the TD JUNOS Submissions Access Program, the 14-year-old Toronto artist added two more JUNO nominations to his impressive list of accomplishments -- both in the Reggae Recording of the Year category.

It’s a dream McLean has been working towards since he was just three years old, when he picked up the drums for the first time. By the time he turned six, he had learned to play acoustic guitar and was performing professionally at local reggae music festivals.

Similarly, fellow nominee and program applicant, Francois Klark, grew up with strong musical aspirations as well.

Klark moved to Canada from his native South Africa nearly 20 years ago to study music at Humber College, where he won the Oscar Peterson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music, the highest honour from the school’s prestigious Bachelor of Music Program. Since then, he has gained over 20 million catalogue streams and half a million Shazams, and has shared the stage with high profile artists like Ginuwine and Shawn Desman.

This year, the Toronto-based artist picked up his first ever JUNO Award nomination for his sophomore album, Adventure Book. The album is up for the JUNO Award for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year, an homage to his storytelling work.

These are just two success stories stemming from the TD JUNOS Submissions Access Program, with many more to be shared in the years to come.

To learn more, visit junoawards.ca.