Supporting women in jazz and creative improvised music
BAN BAM Commission & Development Award 2022/2023 is the second round of the commissioning and career development opportunity for female and gender minority composers in jazz or improvised music, living on the island of Ireland (North and South) from Improvised Music Company (IMC) and Moving on Music (MOM).
Improvised Music Company’s BAN BAM initiative began in 2017/18, aiming to promote women in jazz and improvised music and address a gender imbalance in the scene.
In 2020, IMC combined with Moving On Music’s extensive experience with their emerging artists programme, to launch a BAN BAM commission and development opportunity for female and gender-minority artists across Ireland. The selected composers - Úna Monaghan, Sue Rynhart, & C.V. Lunny - wrote new works which, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, took a different turn in their final presentation, and were developed into site-specific filmed experiences, premiered at the IFI in April 2022.
IMC and MOM are pleased to once again come together with this new commission and development opportunity for 2022/2023.
For programmers and organisations, learn more about the programme with our Intro to BAN BAM here.
DETAILS OF THE AWARD
- Music Commission
This commission is open to female and gender minority music makers who compose in the style of jazz, and/or all creative improvised music.
Three composers will be selected from the applicants.
Each awardee will receive a €2,500 commission fee, as well as 12 months of bespoke creative and career development support and consultation from IMC, MOM and selected industry professionals during 2023.
Two awardees will be selected from the Republic of Ireland, and one from Northern Ireland.
The 3 awardees will each compose music for either duo, trio or quartet.
The composed piece can be intended for named artists (ie; duo, trio, quartet, small ensemble), which may include the composer.
Alternatively, instrumentation of the parts alone can be named, with personnel selected at a later date for performance.
The composed work should be 5-10 minutes in length, with the possibility of extending the work via improvisation in performance. The piece will be included in a 45 minute performance of your own other original work
- Creative & Career Development
IMC and MOM view this commission to compose new work as a catalyst to further development, and are committed to working closely with the awardees over a 12 month period, developing potential avenues for the work, as well as offering mentorship, career guidance and creative consultation. This aspect of the award will run from January to December 2023 and will be developed to suit the individual needs and ambitions of each awardee.
The award includes guaranteed performance bookings in Belfast and Dublin during 2023-2024. Separate performance fees will be allocated as per industry standard.
TIMELINE
The closing date for application is 17:00hrs (GMT) on Friday 28th October, and the awardees will be announced in November 2022.
Late applications will not be accepted.
The composing period is Dec 2022 - Mar 2023, with further development, consultations and performance taking place during 2023.
With any queries relating to this opportunity, please contact us at hello {at} improvised music {dot} ie
Read the Guidelines & Criteria HERE and Apply for the BAN BAM Award HERE
DIVERSITY POLICY
The purpose of the award is to assist in increasing the presence of female and gender minority composers and instrumentalists within the Irish jazz and improvised music scene, and to support further collaboration and development.
We welcome applications from members of the LGBTQ+ communities, all POC and people of any and all ethnic backgrounds and members of the Irish Traveller community.
If you have additional access needs or require support in applying, please contact us at admin [at] improvisedmusic [dot] ie