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CLIP: New Online Platform Supports Creators’ Livelihoods

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Industry News.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Music Rights Awareness Foundation have launched a new online platform to raise creators’ awareness of intellectual property (IP) rights and related management practices, aiming to ensure they receive recognition and fair reward for their work.

CLIP – Creators Learn Intellectual Property – is an innovative, user-friendly and free to use online learning platform that will be filled with curated content from experienced musicians and mentors that will help creators make better business choices.

Creators around the world are producing music, art and other content at record levels, and digital distribution is soaring. But they often lack critical information for managing their intellectual property rights and miss out how to get proper credit and be rewarded for their work, especially when it is consumed online – a situation that CLIP aims to improve.

“Creators draw on their talent and artistic vision to give us music, art, song and dance. Supporting them is critical to the richness of every society and country. We must do what we can to ensure they are recognised and fairly rewarded, so that they can thrive in their work and contributions to society. CLIP will support creators with the knowledge and skills they need to transform their artistic passion into a viable profession”.

WIPO Director General Daren Tang

By early 2024, CLIP will be accessible in six languages, ensuring creators worldwide can easily engage with it, even while on the go. With just a smartphone at their fingertips, creators will have instant access to all of CLIP’s content, including videos featuring established creators sharing their personal experiences.

“I know firsthand how important it is for creators to know and manage their IP rights. Today, it is an essential foundation for a successful career in the music industry. At the core of CLIP is a steadfast commitment to creators. Helping them understand the complexities of the creative industries will enable them to maximize the value of their creations”.

Björn Ulvaeus, legendary ABBA star and Co-Founder of the Music Rights Awareness Foundation, based in Stockholm, Sweden

The first version of CLIP will center on the music industry, empowering users to explore the industry’s ecosystem, understand the diverse individuals involved in bringing a song to market, grasp music creator rights and their efficient management, and much more.

“CLIP provides awareness of the various parties involved in the music industry and their functions, as well as creators’ rights and responsibilities. This knowledge is a prerequisite for being recognized and earning fair payment for their work”.

Music Rights Awareness Foundation Co-founder and President Niclas Molinder

CLIP was developed by WIPO for Creators, a consortium formed by WIPO and the Music Rights Awareness Foundation with the support of key creative industry stakeholder organisations.

Empowering Voices: Navigating the Soundscape with the We’ve Only Just Begun Directory of Irish Women and Gender Expansive Musicians

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Featured Articles, Industry News.

Launched in 2020, the We’ve Only Just Begun Directory stands as a beacon for promoting women and gender expansive artists within the Irish music scene. Boasting an extensive collection of musicians, bands, DJs, and music industry professionals, the directory encompasses individuals based in Ireland, including the North of Ireland, as well as those who are Irish and stationed abroad.

Purpose-built to champion artists, the directory serves as a bridge connecting bookers, promoters, agents, radio programmers, labels, and managers directly with profiled artists for exciting professional opportunities. Since its inception, a wide range of artists have actively leveraged the directory to forge connections and collaborate with fellow musicians.

Even though they took a break from their annual We’ve Only Just Begun Festival this year, the directory is still thriving. New artists are regularly added, and industry professionals are creating profiles, actively contributing to the dynamic growth of the directory.

If you’re not already in the directory, seize the opportunity to join today.

Explore the We’ve Only Just Begun Directory now by clicking here.

Supported by IMRO and RTE 2FM

An Cúigiú Cúige | Debut Release by Ann Cleare

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in News.

Diatribe Records are set to release An Cúigiú Cúige, the début album from award-winning composer Ann Cleare, and the final chapter in the critically-acclaimed Landscape Series.

An Cúigiú Cúige invokes the idea of centre, drawing on the Midlands of Ireland and the now disappeared ancient province of Midhe. The island of Ireland is today divided into four provinces known in the Irish language as ‘Na Ceithre Cúige’ (the four fifths). Through the synthesis of Old Irish, new poetry from Annemarie Ní Churreáin, field recordings and symbolic mappings of Croghan Hill, Loughcrew Cairns, and Uisneach – the three sacred hills at the heart of Ireland’s now-disappeared fifth province – An Cúigiú Cúige (the fifth fifth), seeks to recover, reclaim, and reanimate a lost centre, offering new perspectives on what centredness, power, and collectivity might mean to our contemporary lives.

An Cúigiú Cúige is the recorded version of Midhe (2022), a large-scale work for symphonic orchestra, philharmonic choir, four soloists and choreographer, which was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, RTÉ, and New Music Dublin, and premiered on April 21st 2023 in the National Concert Hall, Dublin. The recording brings together the four soloists from the work – vocalists Frauke Aulbert, Michelle O’ Rourke, and Eoghan Desmond, and accordionist Dermot Dunne, with processed forms of the original field recordings from which the orchestral parts were transcribed, recorded by the composer at the Hill of Croghan and Boora Boglands in Co. Offaly. The combination of fixed media, literature, and musicianship on record is a breathtaking, transformative listen. The album is launched at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival 2023 on Sunday November19th as a limited-edition physical matchbox (representing the lighting of the fire at the hill of Uisneach for the summer feast of Bealtaine) and will be released globally on January 19th 2024 as a digital download and across all streaming platforms.

Ann Cleare is an Irish artist working in the areas of concert music, opera, extended sonic environments, and hybrid instrumental design. She was a 2019 Ernst von Siemens Composer Prize winner, and her work has been commissioned and presented by major broadcasters such as the BBC, NPR, ORF, RTÉ, SWR, WDR and for festivals such as Gaudeamus Week, The Wittenertage fur Neue Kammermusik, International Music Institute Darmstadt, Bludenzer Tage zeitgemäßer Musik, IMATRONIC Festival of Electronic Music at ZKM, MATA Festival, Taschenopernfestival, Sound Reasons Festival in India, Shanghai New Music Week, Transit Belgium, GAIDA, Totally Huge New Music in Perth, Trattorie Parma, Rainy Days in Luxembourg, Ultraschall and the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.

For more information visit: www.diatribe.ie

Screen Composer Academy Summer Program for Film and Game Composers | IMRO Member Discount

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Industry News.

Summer Program for Film and Game Composers
30th June – 24th July 2024
Glyfada, Athens, Greece

Screen Composer Academy are making a special IMRO Member Discount available for their 2024 summer intensive program.

The course presents a premier, industry standard approach to educating and equipping composers for scoring the visual medium through lectures from industry professionals, one-to-one mentoring, musician workshops and live orchestral recording sessions in Sierra Studios, the leading recording studio in Athens.

Taking place from June 30th – July 24th 2024 this residential program will feature guest lecturers; Richard Bellis (composer of IT and film scoring educator), Garry Schyman (composer of the Bioshock game), Miriam Cutler (composer of the documentary RGB), Jeff Atmajian (orchestrator of the film Joker), George Christopoulos (from Oticons Film Music Agency) and Thomas Mikusz (Publicist and co-founder of White Bear PR).

The three and a half week course will consist of:

  • Daily lectures 10am ­– 4pm
  • Orchestration and instrumentation classes with musician workshops
  • Midi mock-ups, recording, mixing and one-to-one music technology mentoring
  • One-to-one review of scores with guest lecturers
  • An 18 string ensemble recording session for a game cue focussing on gaming interactive compositional approaches
  • A 34 piece orchestra recording session for a film cue
  • A welcome reception, day tour to the Acropolis in Athens and farewell dinner
  • Certificate of completion recognised by Pulse College for their entry to the newly launched MA in Scoring for Film, TV and Interactive Media

Immerse yourself in the Screen Composer Academy’s intensive program, designed to equip learners with practical, creative, and conceptual skills for successfully composing scores for the screen. Explore the intricate workflows of media composers, master the art of communicating narrative through music, navigate budgetary constraints and contracts in the music business, and craft professional portfolio works.

This program serves as an ideal entry point for musicians and composers aspiring to venture into the realms of film, game, TV, and other visual media. With a dedicated team of experienced lecturers and tutors eager to share their expertise, the Screen Composer Academy’s summer program offers the perfect opportunity to take the first step towards a rewarding career in one of the most exciting and innovative industries.

IMRO Member Fees:

Program Only: €2950 (€3450 after Dec 31st 2023)
Program and Shared Room: €4500 (€5000 after Dec 31st 2023)
Program and Single Room: €6000 (€6500 after Dec 31st 2023)

These are the early bird prices which end 31st December 2023. An initial 10% deposit is required with the balance payable by April 30th 2024.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for aspiring and early career composers to gain experience and knowledge from some of the best composers in the industry. Our course differs in that we aim to provide one-to-one tutoring and mentoring to students in addition to lectures to help meet their individual needs. Students will not only gain the skills necessary to score the visual medium, but also be guided in the music business and networking aspects of the profession. In addition to the learning experience, each composer will be introduced to the fundamentals of hybrid scores and leave with professional portfolio pieces.”

Natasa Paulberg and Vasilis Milesis, Executive Directors

Email: info@nullscreencomposeracademy.com

www.screencomposeracademy.com

Brand new Irish musical ‘Letters From The Front’ comes to Dublin this November

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Industry News.

Fresh from its premiere at Kilkenny’s Watergate Theatre, the new Irish musical drama “Letters From The Front,” written by Don O’Connor and Ollie Hennessy, is set to captivate audiences at the O’Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College, Dublin 1, from November 21st to 24th. The production stars the award-winning West End leading lady, Rebecca Storm, along with a cast of thirty-five.

Set against the backdrop of World War I, “Letters From The Front” has been generating buzz since its debut earlier this year. The musical unfolds the emotional narratives of three families entangled in the turmoil of WWI. The storyline follows the poignant tale of young love and sacrifice as Irish couple Willie and Eileen are forced apart when Willie is sent to fight for the British military on the Western Front. Their only connection is sustained through heartfelt letters.

Featuring a captivating orchestral music score and original songs that convey the raw emotions of the characters, the musical explores the challenges faced by individuals during the Great War. The haunting melodies reflect despair, while uplifting tunes celebrate the strength of the characters. Inspired by real letters written between 1914-1918, the music of “Letters from the Front” resonates deeply with audiences.

Originally conceived as “A Silent Night” during the Kilkenny Yuletide Festival in 2018, the musical draws inspiration from true-life letters exchanged by soldiers on the front lines during WWI.

Creators Don O’Connor and Ollie Hennessy expressed their excitement as tickets went on sale, stating, “The reaction ‘Letters from the Front’ received in Kilkenny back in March convinced us that there is an audience for these stories. Many cast members, including Rebecca herself, have family ties to WWI, and we were unaware of the scale of Irish participation until we started writing the musical.”

Adding to the anticipation, West End leading lady Rebecca Storm joins the cast for the Dublin dates. With an impressive theatre background in productions such as Calendar Girls the Musical, Evita, Les Misérables, and Blood Brothers, Rebecca’s talent and captivating presence promise to elevate the production to new heights.

Rebecca shared her enthusiasm, saying, “I’m absolutely thrilled to be a part of ‘Letters from the Front’ and to bring this incredible story to Dublin for the very first time. It’s a powerful and moving piece of musical theatre.”

Don’t miss the chance to witness this turbulent journey through a significant chapter in history. “Letters from the Front” is a must-see for theatre enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Tickets are on sale now at www.gr8events.ie/letters, priced at €34 and €30 for OAP/students.

#lettersfromthefront

Global creators’ collections grow by a record 26.7% to EUR12.1 billion in 2022

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Featured Articles, Industry News.

Global royalty collections for music creators reached a historical high point of €12.1 billion in 2022, growing by a record 26.7% in a full recovery from the pandemic.

Collections are now 19.8% higher than their pre-pandemic level, driven by continued strong growth in digital income and a recovery in live and public performance.

Digital collections, boosted by continued growth of streaming and subscription, rose to €4.2 billion. Digital income has doubled since the pre-COVID level of 2019 and is now, for the first time, music creators’ biggest income stream, overtaking TV and radio, with 35% of total collections.

These are some of the key takeaways of the 2023 Global Collections Report published by CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers). The report provides comprehensive data and analysis of collections across all repertoires including music, audiovisual, visual arts, literature, and drama.

Download Key Highlights and the full Report here.

 

European Parliament Calls for Action Against Coercive Contracts on VOD Platforms

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Featured Articles, Industry News.

The Culture and Employment Committees of the European Parliament have adopted a report with legislative recommendations on the various pressing issues on the working conditions of artists at EU level. The growing problem of buy-out contracts that prevents songwriters and composers’ fair remuneration and threatens their livelihood is rightly flagged as one of the main issues to be addressed at EU level. The report calls on the European Commission to propose the necessary measures to address such coercive and harmful practices of global players that try to bypass EU laws through choice of law and jurisdiction clauses.

This clear call for EU level action adds to the the previous Resolutions of the European Parliament over the last three years, the recent Open Method of Cooperation Report of the Member States, the French Presidency’s Report in 2022, Commission’s future media policy papers and Commissioner Breton’s personal commitment to address the issue of buy-out for creators, as he expressed several times publicly.

Véronique Desbrosses, the General Manager of GESAC said: “An important step has been reached today with this strong call for a European action against buy-outs from the two technical Committees of the European Parliament involved in the matter and we are thankful to them. The creators’ community relies on the European legislator to take the necessary measures to stop the unfairness in the market and ensure that global streamers comply with the EU rules and principles when they operate in Europe. Retention of copyright and authors right within Europe is essential for the future of European creativity and economy and we look forward to the confirmation of this strong position of the European Parliament in the Plenary vote”.

Background info on buy-out:
The buy-out contracts force creators to waive their copyright/authors’ rights in full or in part, and in perpetuity, effectively eliminating the possibility of receiving any future royalties from the use of their work. They are typically imposed directly by giant non-EU based VOD platforms or through their local producers and deprive composers of soundtracks of series, films or other audiovisual works of appropriate and proportionate remuneration, as well as the exercise of their moral rights, against the provisions of EU and national laws. They severely undermine creators’ ability to earn a living through their artistic work and authors even lose ownership of their work in the case of work-made-for-hire contracts. Refusing such buy-outs comes with a real risk of being blacklisted. The options for authors are either accepting the terms of a contract no matter how damaging they are, or losing the opportunity to ever work again with those most popular US-based VOD platforms.

Culture Crush 2023: Uniting Creativity and Technology – Tickets Now Available!

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Featured Articles, Industry News.

Culture Crush 2023, a groundbreaking event for the creative and cultural communities, is just around the corner! Tickets are now on sale, and you won’t want to miss this unique gathering of industry professionals and innovators.

Event Details:

  • Date: Thursday, November 16th
  • Venue: The Complex, Dublin city centre

Culture Crush 2023 is a must-attend event for professionals working in a wide range of creative sectors, including film & TV, music, animation, games, immersive technologies, visual arts, performing arts, and more. This year, the event explores The Intersection of Creativity & Technology, a theme that resonates with every creative mind out there.

The event line-up features high-profile speakers and captivating performers who will inspire and enlighten you. Due to limited availability, we strongly recommend booking your tickets early to secure your spot.

🎫 Get Your Tickets: Culture Crush Tickets

Culture Crush 2023 is organised by Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet (CCIS), a leading force in designing, developing, and delivering tailored, accessible, and affordable skills and talent development programs to meet the ever-evolving demands of the cultural and creative sectors. Learn more about CCIS at Creative Skillnet.

Stay connected with Culture Crush on Twitter, and be sure to like and share our posts to spread the word. When you post about the event on your own social media, don’t forget to use the hashtag

Supported by Skillnet Ireland, Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, Bank of Ireland, and Furthr

New Single Alert: Mike Hanrahan – Stocktons Wing Presents “Craggy Hill”

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in News.

“Craggy Hill,” is the captivating new single by Mike Hanrahan of Stocktons Wing. This track is the final instalment in his acclaimed “Songs from the Boxroom” series, and it’s a musical journey that carries the essence of Irish culture and history.

“Craggy Hill” is a song deeply inspired by Mike’s research into the Great Irish Cultural Revolution. At the heart of this song are the remarkable figures who shaped that era, particularly the poet, pacifist, and activist, Eva Gore Booth, and the women who played a pivotal role in the revolution. Mike’s song captures the spirit, resilience, and passion of these historical figures.

The “Songs from the Boxroom” series has been a profoundly creative period in Mike’s life, producing not only beautiful songs but also a few poems and even a short film in collaboration with Aldoc and artist Mick O Dea titled “The Ballad of The Crimson Warrior.”

Mike Hanrahan’s musical journey is all about collaborations, and “Craggy Hill” is no exception. He has joined forces with old and new friends to create this enchanting track. A special mention goes to his trusted collaborator, Gavin Glass, who handled the desk and production for the song and the talented Rachel Grace, whose exquisite vocals elevate the song to another level. The recording of the single took place at the heartwarming and inspiring Orphan Studios in Wexford.

Prepare to be swept away by the magic of “Craggy Hill,” as Mike Hanrahan continues to weave the rich tapestry of Irish culture and history through his music.

 

 

On the Air & On Top Ireland’s – Radio Elite Shine at IMRO Radio Awards!

Written by Press Officer on . Posted in Featured Articles, Industry News.

The IMRO Radio Awards 2023 rolled out its red carpet to welcome the finest talents in Irish radio from across the island to the gala event at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny. This year’s event was hosted by comedian and broadcaster Oliver Callan, and with IMRO at the helm as the headline sponsor, the event was a great evening of recognition, reconnection and camaraderie.

Award winners at #IMRO23 include:

***Local Station of the Year***
‘Local Station of the Year’ showcases the best in local broadcasting. This year, the accolade goes to… CLARE FM. Their genuine connection with the local listeners and consistent content made them stand out.

***Music Station of the Year***
The ‘Music Station of the Year’ recognises a station that curates an engaging musical experience. The station that hit the right notes this year is…SPIN1038.

***National Station of the Year***
The ’National Station of the Year’ goes to… NEWSTALK. Their well-rounded programming and focus on listener engagement truly set them apart.

And let’s not forget a few more winners that have enriched the radio landscape this year:

**Breakfast Show of the Year: The Big Breakfast with Brendan and Rebecca, 98fm
**Documentary: Documentary on One: Blackrock Boys, RTÉ Radio 1
**Radio Moment of the Year: Losing my Boys to Suicide, LMFM
**News Broadcaster of the Year: Declan Harvey, BBC Radio Ulster

Having been inducted into the Hall of Fame in September this year, four inductees took to the stage at the Lyrath. John Bennett MBE (BBC Radio Ulster), Joe Finnegan (Shannonside/Northern Sound), Paddy Halpenny (formerly of Communicorp) and Mary Wilson (RTÉ Radio 1) were greeted with a standing ovation for their contributions to Irish Radio.

The Outstanding Achievement Award this year was won by Radiocentre Ireland and was accepted by Ciaran Cunningham, CEO of Radiocentre Ireland. Radiocentre is a body established by RTE and Independent Broadcasters of Ireland to promote audio as a marketing medium. All of Ireland’s radio operators have come together to promote the unbeatable reach and unique relationship enjoyed by Irish radio and its millions of listeners.

IMRO Radio Awards Committee Chairman Chris Doyle commented, “It is great to have the radio sector come together and celebrate the outstanding creativity and talent producing amazing radio in Ireland. Congratulations to all the winners.”

Chairperson of IMRO, Eleanor McEvoy, said, “The IMRO Radio Awards honour the dedicated professionals who have consistently pushed the boundaries of radio broadcasting, bringing innovation, inspiration and entertainment to their listeners. On behalf of IMRO, I would like to congratulate tonight’s winners. You have raised the bar, and your passion for radio continues to light up the lives of listeners throughout the entire country.”

Celene Craig, Broadcasting Commissioner, commented, “Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s new media regulator and development agency, would like to congratulate all nominees and winners this evening. An Coimisiún is delighted to celebrate the talent and innovation at work across the radio sector today and recognises that both winners and nominees tonight are an example of broadcasting expertise and experience that delivers quality programming day in and day out for listeners. We are delighted to sponsor the Awards and would like to extend our congratulations to all involved.”

As the evening wrapped up, there was a clear sense of optimism for the future of radio in Ireland. Here’s to another year of dynamic content and the talented individuals from both in front of and behind the mics who make it all happen.

For the full list of winners visit:  https://www.imroradioawards.ie/

Photo Credit: Andres Poveda

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