Category: Member News
Classical music is embedded into the rich history of the Ivors Academy, so it brings us great pleasure to feature young torch bearers of classical music. This month’s spotlight, we are introduced to emerging composer Xia Leon Sloane. In July, a premiere of Xia’s work, ‘in peals of æther ‘ was performed at the Cheltenham […]
At today’s AGM members voted in favour of governance reforms at the Academy to create a new 40-strong Senate. There will be elections to the members’ Senate later in the autumn, from which up to 11 members will be appointed to the Board. At the meeting members heard how the Academy, as a community of […]
The Ivors Academy exists to support, protect and celebrate music creators in the UK, and nothing makes us more excited than witnessing the successes of our members! That’s why here on the members spotlight, we want to showcase the talent of our members. No one fits the bill better for our first edition than emerging […]
The Songwriter of the Year award recognises a songwriter or songwriting team for their outstanding body of successful songs commercially released in the previous year. The winner will be announced on 21st September, with an awards ceremony planned to take place at the Grosvenor House, London. It is the first time in over 20 years […]
The month of June marks the anniversary of the Stonewall riots which took place in New York City in 1969. This is a global celebration and focus on the gay experience throughout society and the fight for gay rights. Our LGBTQI+ Working Group Chair, Will Davenport, pauses to reflect on some of the UK based […]
Marcel was my boss at Decca Records during the 1970s, and without doubt the best boss I ever had. He was the international manager overseeing all Decca’s overseas releases, but also had his own little empire within our small offices, as a part-time songwriter who provided lyrics or translations for innumerable artists, of which the […]
Barry Mason was one of the finest and most popular songwriters in the UK. Principally a lyricist, Barry co- wrote with many of our best known composers, but it was his long partnership with Les Reed which produced some of his best known works including Delilah for Tom Jones, I Pretend for Des O’Connor, The […]
Music for Dementia is a national campaign to bring music into the ears and lives of people living with dementia. The evidence confirms that music is transformative for people living with dementia, but not everyone has access to it, on a regular basis, in the ways they want to experience it, and this has to […]
Hannah V is a pioneering new generation of entrepreneurial female producer/songwriter, who has worked with some of the most in-demand major label artists including Stomzy, JP Cooper and TOBi. Alongside her undeniable skills as a songwriter and producer, Hannah V has also balanced a stunning performance career with tours and stadium gigs with artists including […]
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Today also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness against bias, and rally for women’s equality. The Ivors Academy is proud […]
By Graham Davies, CEO at The Ivors Academy and Susanna Eastburn MBE, Chief Executive at Sound and Music. On a call together in November 2020, we shared our great concerns about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on composers. Through conversations we’d both been having, we were picking up not only the acute impact of […]
“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” – Maya Angelou, Face of LGBT+ History Month 2021 Following the refreshingly honest and relaxed discussions at the first meeting of The Ivors Academy’ LGBTQI+ Working Group, there was collective agreement for the need to show more […]
Gerry Marsden MBE was a member of The Ivors Academy for many years, who in 1991 was presented with a Gold Badge Award to recognise his extraordinary contribution to British songwriting. In a personal tribute, Gerry and the Pacemakers writer and friend Mitch Murray CBE shares memories of working with the songwriter: I’ll always have […]
Despite the challenges we face I would like to wish you a happy new year. I know that this is not the start to 2021 that we all hoped for, and we are facing greater restrictions and challenges than we expected, but the new year also brings hope. We are committed to supporting you and […]
In this personal tribute, Mitch Murray CBE reflects on the multi Ivor Novello Award winners extraordinary career. Geoff Stephens, like many of us who started out in the early sixties, was a songwriter – not a ‘singer-songwriter’, but a professional and gifted specialist who crafted both words and music for the pop market, aimed at […]
Associate Music Director of the Bristol based Paraorchestra, Lloyd Coleman is a fearless and unapologetic champion for disabled creators and performers. We are delighted to have the opportunity to dip into Lloyd’s creative journey… …’I count myself extremely lucky’… I’m often asked if my hearing and visual impairments, both of which I’ve lived with since […]
“While 2020 has been phenomenally difficult and there are many challenges ahead, it’s in such times that we need community and common purpose. Thank you for supporting each other, the Academy, and for uniting in our collective purpose to create a positive future for songwriters and composers.” Academy Chair Crispin Hunt and CEO Graham Davies […]
Although still a student composer, Xia has several outstanding achievement to their name, a highlight of which is their award as winner of the 2018 BBC Young Composer Competition. These are reflections on their lived experiences as a Brailist composer – …’labels can simplify things we do not understand…’ I have always been resistant to […]
The Committee will advise the Academy Board on ethics-related issues, including setting up a new ethical framework for the Academy’s activities, which will include awards and membership. While the Academy has existing codes of behaviour, the rebranding of the Academy in 2019 signalled a departure from the past. The Academy is committed to ensuring that […]
UK Disability History Month is an annual platform which creates a focus on the history and current lived experiences of disabled people. It is a celebration of achievement and positive influence as well as an acknowledgment of the many struggles for recognition, equality, and genuine inclusion within our communities and society. 2020 is the 11th […]
