BAN BAM Application Deadline and Judging Panel

BAN BAM is a bespoke commissioning and career development award for female and gender minority composers and musicians in jazz and improvised music based on the island of Ireland.

After a sucessful first round in 2020/2021, IMC and Moving on Music once again come together with this new commission, career development and performance opportunity for 3 artists (2 from Rep of Ireland, 1 from N.Ireland) to take place during 2023.

Read full details of the award announcement and how to apply here.

JUDGING PANEL
Applications will be assessed by a panel of carefully selected music industry professionals and composers from across Ireland and Europe on a criteria of;
1. Artistic merit
2. How they meet the objectives and priorities of the award
3. Feasibility and potential of artist and project

The Panel consists of, Slovenian pianist and composer Kaja Draksler, musician, composer and programmer of Vortex jazz club Kim Macari, award-winning composer and conductor Brian Irvine, Director of the Centre Culturel Irlandais Nora Hickey M’Sichili, as well as Director of IMC Kenneth Killeen, and Moving on Music Creative Producer Paula McColl.

Kim Macari is an artist-activist immersed in the world of improvised music and graphic scores. Alongside her artistic work, she also programmes the Vortex Jazz Club in London, works for Arts Council England and mentors at Birkberk University.

Kaja Draksler is a Slovenian pianist and composer, and an active member of the improvisors scene in Amsterdam and across Europe, finding ways to merge composition and (free) improvisation by working with different structures and musical logics. As a composer she has been commissioned by many international groups, ranging from vocal and chamber ensembles to big bands and orchestras.

Brian Irvine huge body of work reflects a love of music creation in all its forms and includes operas, orchestral works, large-scale community oratorios, film scores, installations, dance works as well as ensemble, solo, and chamber pieces. He has won multiple awards for his work including a British Composers Award for Opera, and was recently nominated for an Ivor Novello award.

Nora Hickey M’Sichili is Director of the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris since 2013, and a central figure in the Irish arts scene, supporting artists to develop their practice and acting as a cultural ambassador for Irish artists internationally. She studied classical singing privately in Ireland, France and Canada and more recently ritual chant and song in the University of Limerick. She has co-edited a book of Irish song to be published in 2023 by Didier Jeunesse.

Kenneth Killeen is the Artistic Director of Improvised Music Company (IMC), Ireland’s leading promoter of jazz & ethnic music and a dedicated resource organisation for Irish jazz musicians. Kenneth has been professionally involved in the music industry since the mid 90’s, as a musician, teacher, promoter and producer.

Paula McColl is Creative Producer with Moving On Music, and has been involved with the organisation in various roles since 2012. She studied Music, followed by a Masters in Cultural Management with Ulster University, and is a traditional fiddle player. Her work with MOM involves programming, artist development and touring.

Closing date for application is 17:00hrs (GMT) on Friday 28th October. Awardees will be announced end of 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