• The Ivors Academy Board Director Orphy Robinson MBE elected as Chair of The Ivors Academy Jazz Committee
• Emily Saunders elected as Board Director of The Ivors Academy
• New opportunities and events launched by the Academy to promote jazz composition nationwide
• Leading jazz composers join the Academy to strengthen the voice of the organisation and its members
London, Monday 2 March 2020. The Ivors Academy has made a number of major announcements to showcase the work of jazz songwriters and composers across the UK. Born out of today’s flourishing jazz scene, the new initiatives look to support and champion the vibrancy of British home-grown talent, through providing a platform that will allow creators to thrive in their professional careers.
Effective from this month, multi-award winning composer and instrumentalist Orphy Robinson MBE will take up the position of Chair of The Ivors Academy Jazz Committee, and internationally renowned vocalist, composer and broadcaster Emily Saunders takes up the positions of Board Director of The Ivors Academy, and Chair of the new Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee. Both representatives now hold important roles within the organisation which shape the future interests and livelihoods of creators.
Of the appointment, Orphy Robinson MBE says,
“As a committee we are all fully aware that there is a need for us to organise, enhance and assist our particular concerns now more than ever. It is on us to provide effective initiatives and answers that will respond to the changing dynamics of the music industry and how it will ultimately affect our livelihoods as jazz musicians and composers. I remain truly grateful for my election to the position of Chair and I look forward to the future with great hope and enthusiasm.”
Regarding her appointments Emily Saunders says,
“The Ivors Academy is a fantastic organisation to be part of as it seeks to protect creators rights, and a fundamental part of this is promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity across the organisation and the industry at large. Positive action is essential for us all, to bring about positive change within our current socio-political climate. For me, it really is a total honour to be elected in these ways – to work alongside such hugely positive, talented people across the whole of The Ivors Academy, and I’m really excited as to how we can all take things forward.”
As part of the Academy’s drive to increase its cultivating activities, the Jazz Committee have led on establishing several new initiatives to help better educate and provide opportunities for jazz composers to support their careers.
OneFest, the unique ‘twin festival’ concept taking place in both Sheffield on 7 March and London on 14 March, will inspire emerging young talent across the British jazz scene. The festival’s daytime programme of talks and workshops ‘Generation Next’ is sponsored by The Ivors Academy, bringing together leading jazz talent including Shabaka Hutchings, Nat Birchall, Steamdown’s Ahnanse, and Orphy Robinson, who is moderating the session.
This summer the Academy also teams with The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama to present a major celebration ‘New Music Forum: Jazz Ensemble’ in Cardiff, with two full days of workshops, discussions and performances on 25 and 26 June. A public Call for Entries is open now, in which composers above the age of 18 are invited to submit works for jazz ensemble. For full information and to submit visit ivorsacademy.com/news/new-music-forum-jazz-ensemble-call-for-scores-2020.
Coinciding with the development of new opportunities and event projects, The Ivors Academy welcomes several high profile writers to its membership from the world of jazz, including Soweto Kinch, Robert Mitchell, and Ivor Novello Award winner Alison Rayner, who won Jazz Composition for Small Ensemble at The Ivors Composer Awards in 2019.
For the latest news and updates follow @theacademyjazz on Twitter and Facebook, as well as @ivorsacademy on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
ENDS
Contact:
Anna Brown
anna@ivorsacademy.com
020 7636 2929
About The Ivors Academy
The Ivors Academy exists to support, protect and celebrate music creators in the UK. We are the independent professional association representing songwriters and composers in all genres, whether they create song, symphony or sync. We can trace our history back over 70 years. And we are entirely self-funded, relying on the continued support of our members and partners to carry on our work.
Music is the most profound, enduring and popular of art forms. It crosses all borders, conveys all emotions, and touches all people. None of the music that the world loves exists until brilliant songwriters and composers create it. We represent, support, protect and celebrate the creators of music.
Ivor Novello Awards are the ultimate accolade for songwriting and composing in the industry. The Ivors celebrate the talents of songwriters and screen composers, whilst The Ivors Composer Awards celebrate music creators in the classical, jazz and sonic art fields. The Ivors Academy Gold Badge recognises those who have supported and inspired our community. Each of these celebrations has at its heart the power and brilliance of music creators.
We campaign together nationally and internationally to ensure that the rights of our members are protected, especially as our industry continues to rapidly change. And we cultivate talent, creating a community across the country in which our members share their valuable knowledge, creators cross-pollinate and collaborate, and all voices are heard. We guide new talent entering the industry and continue to encourage our members as they progress to greater successes.
We are the champions of music creators. We are The Ivors Academy.
www.ivorsacademy.com
