Institute drummer to perform in Olympic opening ceremony

22 February 2012

>> From BBC News Site >>

An Institute drummer has been selected from thousands to perform at the London Olympics opening ceremony. Tom Ashcroft Nowicki responded to an advert for performers posted on the school notice board back in 2011. He performs in Jersey band Salem's Lot and is studying on the Institute's degree course.

Mr Ashcroft Nowicki said he was "dumbfounded" when he found out. The opening ceremony will be on 27 July and will be led by director Danny Boyle.

The Institute launches innovative new Music Business degree

20 February 2012

The London-based Institute of Contemporary Music performance has announced the launch of an innovative and exciting new BA (Hons) Music Business degree course commencing September 2012.

Designed with a view to creating the music business entrepreneurs of the future, students on the course will study the principles of business and management in the music sector alongside hundreds of aspiring and talented musicians, writers and performers. This will enable the development of practical artist management, marketing, radio, PR and publishing skills from day one. And with countless live gigs, showcases and events taking place every term at the Institute, the opportunities for learning, skill development network building throughout the course are unrivalled.

The course will count on a wide-ranging teaching faculty, combining experienced and specialised tutors with regular contributions from industry specialists from the world of promotion, radio, PR and publishing. This extensive faculty includes such names as Becky Jones (Saint Saviour), Ryan Farley (Warner/Chappell Publishing), Christian Ulf-Hansen (BMI), Polly Birkbeck (V2 Records), who will provide students with invaluable first-hand knowledge of what to expect and how to progress further within the music industry.

The Institute’s Music Business degree course provides students with a high level of contact teaching hours, delivered in specialist facilities in London. All undergraduates will have regular and active access to the Institute’s extensive network of music industry contacts and partners, and will be supported by the career and artist development teams. And as if that weren’t enough, tuition fees from 2012 are only £4,950 per annum – when other UK universities are charging almost double that amount! 

10 Days Remaining to apply for Scholarships

14 February 2012

There are only ten days left to apply for an Institute Higher Diploma scholarship. 

In conjunction with our partners we offer over £30,000 worth of scholarships for deserving students to study on the Institute’s renowned one-year Higher Diploma course. The scholarship categories are as follows:

GUITAR: Supported by Yamaha Guitar and Total Guitar Magazine
BASS: Supported by Musicman Bass and Bass Guitar Magazine
DRUMS: Supported by Mapex/Paiste and Drummer Magazine
VOCALS: Supported by Shure

Previous scholarship winners can be seen performing with successful artists across the world including Estelle, N-Dubz and Lauren Hill.

Click here for more information on applying.

Institute Student comes third in National Open Mic competition

09 February 2012

The Institute is very happy to announce that current student Sophie Mendoza has come third in the national Open Mic competition. We feel she is definitely one to look out for and we're certain she has a bright future ahead. She had this to say about her amazing achievement, “I never thought I would get to the Grand Final of Open Mic UK. I’ve never got to a final in any competition so I suppose I was in disbelief. As I was waiting to go on stage I thought this is the time to show people what you’re made of, especially with people like Shola Ama, E Plus and Semper Harris judging me.”

Sophie is currently studying on the BMus Vocals course. For more information on our vocal courses, please see here.

Win a Songwriting Scholarship

02 February 2012

The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance and Shure are delighted to announce the launch of the 2012 Shure Songwriting Award (www.ShureSongwritingAward.com). Also for the first time this year the competition will be supported by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Previously judged by Amy McDonald, K.T. Tunstall, Paloma Faith and Everything Everything, this year’s competition will be judged by Anna Calvi.

If you are a songwriter looking to make a career out of your talent, why not take part in this year’s award competition? First prize is a unique opportunity to attend, free of charge, the fantastic one-year Cert HE in Songwriting course at the Institute worth over £5,000! Studying at the Institute, you will be able to take part in regular live showcase events, professionally develop your talent and have direct access to leading industry professionals.

Institute director Paul Kirkham had this to say about the award:

“We are delighted to once again be launching the Shure Songwriting Award supported by BMI. For many years now we have been committed to offering scholarships to the most talented and deserving musicians. This competition, and the course of study that the winners attend, has a fantastic reputation for developing successful songwriters and we know this year will be no different.”

To enter, all you have to do is upload an original song to the award website before 16th March 2012. You will then have four weeks to try and gain as many public votes as possible. Finally a combination of an expert panel of judges will select a top 8 and then Anna Calvi will be making her selection for this year’s winner!

www.ShureSongwritingAward.com

Institute Tutor to present research seminar at Cambridge

01 February 2012

Institute programme leader and drum tutor Dr. Gareth Dylan Smith will be presenting a research seminar at Cambridge University on Wednesday 8th February. The title of his talk: "Kit Drummers and the Snowball Self: A socio-cultural-psychological perspective on identity and learning realisation"

The seminar will explore being and becoming a professional drummer. Gareth will discuss a range of topics which include cultural heritage, ethnicity, sex, gender, and enculturation as well as his personal experiences of performing, touring and teaching. 

Gareth has recently written for Rhythm Magazine, made multiple contributions to music education publications and is soon to release his first book: "I drum Therefore I Am: Being and Becoming a Drummer" which will be out this year.

Gareth is programme leader for the diploma course, more information can be found here.

Institute Student features in Channel 4 'Skins'

30 January 2012

Institute student Louise Bartle who is currently studying on the BMus (Hons) degree drum course was recently featured on Channel 4’s award-winning British teen drama Skins. She plays the character of O’Malley, the drummer of a band set up by two main characters. Louise grabbed this fantastic opportunity after the Institute was approached by Channel 4 looking for an excellent female drummer. Louise sent through her video footage of her drumming skills which led to a successful audition. Delighted with the opportunity, she had this to say: “I had to learn a song and, to my surprise, some lines too. I got to meet the cast and stay with them in a hotel in Bristol.” The filming took place in Bristol last year and was shown on E4 this week. If you didn't get a chance to see Louise in action you can watch her online through 4OD.

The Institute is constantly striving to provide our students with amazing opportunities within the music and entertainment industry. This opportunity from Channel 4 is just one of many of the connections we create with industry professionals looking for musicians and performers.