RECORDINGS & RELEASES FOR ARMENIAN MUSICIANS
The record label Prima Classic (USA) and the Primavera Charitable Foundation have joined efforts to ensure the global and easily accessible presentation of Armenian music and music performed by Armenian artists.
The project aims to provide Armenian musicians an additional consistent opportunity to record and release digitally on all major global streaming platforms. We wish to empower emerging and well-established Armenian artists by offering financial and non-financial resources to record, post-produce, release, and market their recordings globally.
This initiative provides musicians with access to:
- Recording & Production Services
- Global Digital Distribution on Major Streaming Platforms
- Digital Marketing & Promotional Support
- Educational Opportunities (workshops, online courses, and video lectures)
Application Period Annually, November – July
Album/Single Release Period Annually, September – April
Project Partners
If you want to donate from the USA please use this link and you will get Tax deduction papers. ALL DONATIONS ARE 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE IN THE UNITED STATES.
The Project Scope
- Organize Recording Sessions to create singles and albums
- Global Distribution & Promotion: your art will be available worldwide on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and over 80 other platforms worldwide.
- Annual Workshop for Armenian artists Core Concepts of Music Production & the Classical Music Industry by Edgardo Vertanessian, sound engineer, and Prima Classic co-founder.
- Consulting Support: guidance and advice on music production and album release planning & promotion
- Globally promoted online Gala Concert participation (pre-recorded videos)
- Educational and internship opportunities for recording engineers who want to develop their professional skills and build international professional connections
Category
Recording*
Postproduction*
Additional available options (all related expenses would be covered by the artist):
- Release Landing Page
- CD / LP Physical Copies
- Album's Promo Video Production
- Digital Promo Campaign
- PR Support
- Artistic Career Consulting
For Artists & EnsemblesUnder 28 y.o. inclusive
The Emerging Artists Program (EAP) provides Armenian artists under 28 years old (on the date of the application) an opportunity to record and release an album or single. The support, both financial and non-financial, is provided on every stage starting from recording and production to marketing and distribution.
EAP is also aimed at educating young talents on how to collaborate with everyone who is involved in the recording, postproduction, and marketing process, and results in in-depth knowledge of how to work with a record label.
Selected EAP short-listed nominees will have the opportunity to showcase their art during a globally promoted online Gala Concert, reaching audiences worldwide and gaining valuable exposure.
For Artists & EnsemblesOver 29 y.o.
The Well-Established Artists Program (WEAP) supports already well-known Armenian artists and ensembles in releasing their completed recordings on all major digital streaming platforms.
Open to professional musicians starting 29 years old on the date of the application, WEAP enables Armenian artists to share their art globally. Master recordings should be created at the artists’ own expense and fit the technical requirements.
For the WEAP an artist can submit just a program idea. In this case, the album may be recorded by Prima Classic at an additional cost in Yerevanor in Barcelona (Spain). Other locations in continental Europe are also available. The program selection process considers the conceptual strength, artistic message, and musical and technical excellence of the artists.
SEE THE CURRENT YEAR SCHEDULE & DEADLINES
2024/25 Project Schedule
Program (EAP)
Program (WEAP)
At the end of the Online Gala Concert (pre-recorded videos)
The Project Scope
- Armenian passport holders or Armenian 10 years special passport holders
- Musicians with a higher musical education, completed or ongoing
- At least a year of previous permanent residentship in Armenia on the date of application (proven by Armenian tax residency certificate)
- Age restrictions:
Emerging Artist Program: 18-28 (inclusive) years old on the date of application
Well-Established Armenian Artists Program: over 29 years old on the date of application
Successful nominees and winners will be notified by email and announced on the Primavera Charitable Foundation,
Prima Classic, and the project partners' digital channels.
The Selection Committee & Program Requirements
- The Program Selection Committee includes Prima Classic’s representatives and the Primavera Foundation’s Artistic Council and Educational Academy Program curators
- Submit all the information about the pieces to the Selection Committee At least one piece by an Armenian composer must be featured in the program. Should an artist's area of expertise be Armenian music, an all-Armenian program is welcomed
- An artist has the artistic freedom to choose between famous repertoire that has been recorded many times, less-known pieces, or contemporary composers
Organizers’ advice: choose wisely, keeping two concepts in mind: novelty vs a known piece, and which option will serve best to your artistic career.
Before Filling In the Application
Before filling in the application, please make sure that you have at your disposal the following assets.
For
everyone:
- Two links of your video or audio recording (not later than 2 years), preferably unedited
- Program proposal explaining the idea and story behind it (up to 300 words)
- Biography or CV
- A photo in JPG format (high resolution)
- Copy of the passport / Birth certificate
- Tax Residency Certificate
For the Well-Established Artists Program (WEAP), in addition to the assets mentioned above:
- The applicant guarantees that he or she holds the rights and third parties' rights for audio recordings submitted for the project
- Recording Requirements: Prima Classic accepts stereo Masters with a minimum quality of 44.1kHz and 16 bits. However, the preferred quality is 96kHz and 24 bits. Also accepted are multi-track edited files, and Prima Classic provides the Mixing and Mastering at no cost to the participant
About Prima Classic
Founded by soprano Ms. Marina Rebeka and sound engineer Mr. Edgardo Vertanessian, Prima Classic is an independent record label focused on opera, lyrical singing, and instrumental music, fueled by a passion to produce and nurture beautiful music performed by outstanding artists.
Born in the USA and based also in Europe the label takes the utmost care in all the phases of our projects: repertoire selection, performance level, sound quality, artwork design, and worldwide distribution.
From opera to world music, and from the Renaissance period to contemporary compositions, we strive to bring to the curious listener a meaningful musical experience through our eclectic selection of recordings.
The common thread in our releases is Beauty, always present—along with its healing power—in the most diverse of its expressions.
Meet Mr. Edgardo Vertanessian, sound engineer and Prima Classic co-founder, and learn more about his connectionto Armenia by reading his interview.
"Armenians have been an important component of our Western and Christian traditions since the beginning of time, and have gone through incredible hardships whose consequences are still felt today, very vividly. It is important that their voices are given a platform—in this case, their musical voices—and that we help their people to continue to pursue excellence in their artistic expressions." – Edgardo Vertanessian, CEO & Co-Founder, Prima Classic Record Label
