The Skidmore Jazz Studentship opens for applications on Monday and is one of a number of specialist arts residencies and funding opportunities currently available from the Arts Council through its Support for Individual Artists Programme.
In partnership with An Chomhairle Ealaíon, the Arts Council will send one budding jazz musician to the Skidmore Jazz Institute to attend its two week jazz education programme. Held every summer it offers students of all ages one-to-one lessons with world-class performers, as well as attending sessions in improvisation and composition. As part of the two week programme, students also have the opportunity to attend guest master classes. In recent years tutors have included jazz greats Maynard Ferguson, James Moody, Joe Lovano, Benny Green and Arthur Taylor.
Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “This two week residency offers a chance in a lifetime for one talented musician from Northern Ireland to work with some of the world’s top jazz artists and teachers. It is also an excellent chance to network on an international level, helping our rising musicians to take their careers to the next level and bring the skills they learn in New York back to Northern Ireland.”
Jazz guitarist Aengus Hackett travelled to Skidmore earlier this year. "Skidmore Jazz institute was an amazing experience for me. To get the opportunity to play and study with some of the most accomplished performers and educators in jazz was a real eye-opener. I was taught a lot about music, but not only about playing. I also learnt how to present my music in a professional manner, and what I really need to do to have a successful career in music," he said.
The Support for the Individual Artist Programme offers a collection of schemes designed to meet the needs of individual artists working in Northern Ireland. The current funding round, including applications for residencies, opens on Monday 14th December 2009 and closes 28th January 2010.
To find out more about the Skidmore Jazz Studentship, or any of the other residential programmes offered by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, click here.