Launch of Music Writer Mentoring Scheme for Galway and Clare

Launch of Music Writer Mentoring Scheme for Galway and Clare

Scheme seeking applications from new and emerging music writers in Galway City and Clare County.

The Journal of Music, in partnership with the arts offices of Galway City Council and Clare County Council, has today (13 March 2017) announced two exciting mentoring schemes to encourage the next generation of music writers in the West of Ireland.

‘Next Generation Music Writers’ – a 12-month scheme dedicated to discovering new and emerging music writers –  is now seeking applications from writers in County Clare and Galway City.

The scheme has been developed by Toner Quinn, Editor of The Journal of Music, in collaboration with Siobhán Mulcahy, Arts Officer with Clare County Council, and James Harrold, Arts Officer with Galway City Council.

Commenting on the scheme, Ms Mulcahy said:

Clare County Council is delighted to initiate this scheme with The Journal of Music and welcomes the focus it will bring to music events happening in the county over the next twelve months. The Journal of Music has a huge national and international following which offers opportunities for wide and varied exposure to Clare events and musicians in the coming year. The professional development of writers interested in covering such activities is welcomed, as investment in creative discourse, particularly in rural areas, is key in the further development of music as an artform. 

Mr Harrold commented: 

Galway City Council is pleased to co-develop the project as a mentoring programme for emerging music writers who will engage with the city’s thriving music scene, in genres from traditional to metal, from classical to jazz, punk and the full range of contemporary sounds. As Galway gears up for European Capital of Culture our west coast arts writers will have a lot to write about!  

The two schemes are separate and five writers are being sought for each. Over 12 months, the writers will work with the editorial team of The Journal of Music, developing their writing and working towards publication. 

The Journal of Music has previously won an international editorial award for arts coverage, and, since 2008, Quinn has been a lecturer on the MA in Literature and Publishing at NUI Galway. 

Toner Quinn commented, 

Writing about music is not like dancing about architecture, as the cliché goes. The writing about a music can actually affect the fortunes of a music. I believe this mentoring scheme is a terrific opportunity to contribute to musical life in Galway City and Clare County and I’m very much looking forward to working with the writers.

For a PDF containing full details on how to apply, please send an email to submissions [at] journalofmusic.com stating which scheme you are interested in, Galway City or Clare County. The deadline for applications is 14 April 2017 at 5pm.

The Journal of Music is supported by the Arts Council.

Listen to recent radio interviews about the scheme below.

Clare FM

Galway Bay FM

RTÉ Radio 1

 

Published on 13 March 2017

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