UpNorth Music

Music Heard UpNorth CD

Music Heard UpNorth, a 3-disk CD release with our picks of songs from the year-long UpNorth recording tour was released January 25. The CD set will be available in stores throughout the region (outlet list), or online from CDBaby, or, you can order direct from NCPR by phone: 1-877-388-6277. Track info and samples of all 40 songs.

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Listen to the Music!

Find finished songs and interviews from more than 100 performers on the performers pages

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What's UpNorth Music?

In July 2006, the New York State Music Fund, a grant program of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, awarded North Country Public Radio $330,000 to increase access to contemporary music by audiences throughout the North Country.

With this grant, NCPR created UpNorth Music. The program is designed to expose audiences in the North Country to musicians of all genres, and give those musicians expanded access to audiences.

Local Project Partners

• Traditional Arts in Upstate New York, Canton NY
• St. Lawrence County Arts Council, Potsdam NY
• Akwesasne Cultural Center, Akwesasne Mohawk Nation
• What a Raquette Music and Dance, Potsdam NY

Here’s how it works:

Step One: Recording Music Perfomances

More than 100 acts were recorded in the first phase of the UpNorth Music project in 2006-2007. Beginning in July 2008, NCPR moves into the second phase, bringing a new act each month into the NCPR studio for a free 10-hour recording session.

Musicians will be asked to sign a release allowing North Country Public Radio to use their recordings on air, online, and as part of a future CD release. This release will also indicate that the musical act has the right to use their recording in any way they wish with no restrictions. Apply for a free session.

Step Two: CD Compilation

Once the first round of recording sessions was completed and mixed, we produced a multiple-disc release of the performances that really stand out. The initial pressing of 5,000 copies is on sale at retailers throughout New York State, as well as online. Copies have been distributed to more than 100 other broadcasters throughout New York State. See order information above.

Step Three: UpNorth Music Concert Series

In the second year of the project (2008) we will be staging a series of concerts around the North Country to allow audiences to get to know the musicians and their music even better. As with the CD project, we will be selecting the very best musicians to participate. Each music act will be compensated $500 plus travel expenses for their participation in a concert. The initial concert in the series was held in January 2008 at St. Lawrence University. See the right hand column for details of upcoming concerts.