In 2019, the British Council in Spain launched #WeAreEquals Music Academy, an ongoing programme for emerging professionals from the electronic music sector, with the aim of providing them with specialist training and development to help them boost their artistic careers, build networks and prepare them to become future leaders of the sector. In 2023, #WeAreEquals Music Academy expanded towards other musical genres with an edition on Contemporary/Classical music.
In 2024, we are launching a new edition focused on jazz, modern music and AI music technology, in partnership with Taller de Músics and with the support of the British Embassy in Spain. It is open to emerging musicians, composers and other music professionals interested in acquiring the tools and skills necessary to navigate the current musical industry.
The programme will be divided into two workshops that will take place on 6th March.
Participants may apply to both workshops but, if selected, they will only be able to join one of them:
- Professional Paths Beyond the Stage
Led by Lucy Woolley, Ash Doherty, Kim Macari and Jill Roger
10.00h - 12.30 / Break: 12.30h - 13.30h / 13.30h - 16.00h
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Summary: this workshop aims to provide emerging musical artists with tools, ideas and professionalisation alternatives to enter the musical industry. Success on stage is not within everyone's reach and this is why young professionals must search for alternative paths for their creativity and passion for music. In this choral and participative session, four professionals from within the UK music industry will establish a dialogue with participants to share their knowledge, personal experiences and tips. Some of the topics that will be discussed include: the opportunities and challenges that come with releasing music through a record label; market niches, artistic personality, and working on multiple projects at once; cultural gentrification, protest and criminal justice; and the importance of backstage professionals such as administrators, programmers, managers or marketing experts, among others.
- Musical Experimentation with Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Led by Matthew Yee-King and Mark d'Inverno
10.00h - 12.30 / Break: 12.30h - 13.30h / 13.30h - 16.30h / Break: 16.30h - 17.00h
Performance: 17.00h - 18.00h
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Summary: this workshop offers a unique and interactive experience for musicians interested in AI-music technology. Attendees will delve into the philosophy and design of AI-music systems, exploring how these tools can augment rather than replace human creativity. The workshop emphasises hands-on learning, allowing participants to experiment with AI-music systems and understand their capabilities. It will also encourage participants to contemplate effectively integrating these systems into their creative processes. This event promises a blend of theoretical insight and practical application, making it an enriching experience for those keen on exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and music. At the end of the workshop, there will be a show-and-tell session where you can share your thoughts and experiences with the AI-music systems you have used and even give an opportunity for live performance.
On 7th March, there will be a session dedicated to sharing the process and results of #WeAreEquals Music Academy during the JAZZ I AM Barcelona International Jazz Meeting, organised by Taller de Músics.
Where and when:
- Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th March 2024
- At Ocaña | Plaza Real - Pl. Reial, 13-15, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona
Deadline to apply:
4th February at 23:59 CEST. If your application is successful the British Council will cover the cost of your training. We'll inform you on 8-9 February if you've been selected, and at that point will provide you with further details about the programme contents and wraparound activities. The training will be in English and is free of charge.
More information: arts@britishcouncil.es
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Lucy Woolley is a creative producer and coach from Manchester, UK. She works in the field of jazz and improvised music. She is also Business Development Manager at Edition Records, Director at Lancaster Jazz Festival and works in various freelance projects. For over 10 years, her work has focused on the creative development of artists and the strategic impact for organisations. Her aim is to create spaces where artists can produce solid projects and to help them find paths to develop their artistic career within the Jazz field.
Ash Doherty has been working in the music industry since 2015 in Leeds, UK. She forms part of the nu-soul band Mamilah and, apart from being a musician, she has worked on the marketing and content creation for several events and festivals. Throughout her career, she has also worked for Music:Leeds, Launchpad, Manchester Jazz Festival, The Leaf Label and Live Music Now. Currently, she is part of the musical space Serious and coordinates the Leeds Jazz Festival. As a freelancer, she works closely with festivals and events such as Artist Liaison/Stage Manager.
Kim Macari, apart from being an artist and an activist of improvisation, she is also a programmer at the London Vortex Jazz Club and a relationship manager at the Arts Council England. With over 15 years of experience in the field, her artistic practice englobes visual arts and music. When working in the latter, she experiments with the use of graphic scores, ekphrasis and data sonification. Additionally, she implements protest and activism in her work since she believes in art's potential and responsability to reflect the world in which we live.
Jill Rodger is Festival Director at Glasgow International Jazz Festival. Created in 1987, it is the city's oldest music festival. Rodger forms part of the festival's organisation since 1990 and has been directing it for 20 years. This must-attend event for European Jazz has hosted names such as Sarah Vaughan, Chick Corea, Taj Mahal, Benny Carter, Carol Kidd, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Guy, Michael Brecker and Tony Bennett.
Matthew Yee-King is an academic in the Department of Computing at Goldsmiths University. He is the programme director for the University of London online computer science degree, which has 5000 students in 125 countries. He is also a composer, performer and researcher in computer music. As a musician, he has released solo compositions on labels such as Warp and Rephlex and has collaborated with a diverse range of musicians in jazz, classical and electronic music. His research investigates the use of artificial intelligence in music performance, and he is interested in how AI technology can enhance human experiences and capabilities. His AI systems have performed live on international stages and on BBC national radio.
Mark d’Inverno is a critically acclaimed jazz pianist (BBC TV & National Radio, BBC Music Magazine, Guardian, Observer, Jazz Review) who has toured nationally and internationally since the 1980s. He is also a full professor at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he has been since 2006. He is recognised as one of the leading academic researchers exploring the relationship between Artificial Intelligence and Human Creativity, and his invited talks included improvised piano performances with AI systems. He has over 250 peer-reviewed publications, was formerly Director of Research at Goldsmiths, and currently holds honorary research positions at Instituto de Investigación en Inteligencia Artificial (IIIA) Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and Politecnico di Milano, Italy.
Taller de Músics is a cultural institution and an international reference for the creation, training and promotion of modern music. Additionally, it is a hub of artistic activity, a creative lab, and an agent of social revitalisation and cultural agitation. Its aim is to organise activities that contribute to the professionalisation of the musical sector and to create dynamics that help to establish the cultural industry as a field with potential for development. The institution is also dedicated to social intervention and seeks to connect musical practice with diverse populations, especially those who are more vulnerable or underprivileged.
The British Council is the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, committed to fostering cultural exchange between the UK and the rest of the world. Its work in the Arts focuses on changing perceptions and encouraging greater equality, diversity and inclusion across the arts and society. It promotes creativity, innovation and excellence through the development of transformative and inclusive projects with the purpose of nurturing the construction and consolidation of global communities of collaboration.