Composers Academy 2015 - Applications Now Open

Applications are now being invited from early-career composers to take part in the 3rd annual Composers Academy, run by Cheltenham Festivals.

From July 2nd until July 7th, participants will have their compositions workshopped, recorded and performed and will take part in a number of industry talks and panel discussions on career development, craft and contemporary aesthetics.

For the first time, participants will be able to choose to write for either a vocal ensemble or an instrumental group. The vocal ensemble is Genesis Sixteen and works for this group would be fully notated (though composers often present fragments and sketches initially) and would split into no more than 8 parts.

Those who choose to write for an instrumental group will work with Trish Clowes' Emulsion Sinfonietta. Music for this group would not be fully written and would be developed in collaboration with the group, with improvisation being an important feature.

Participants would also attend a range of concerts and hear works by Thomas Stonen, Calum Gourlay, Iain Ballamy and Trish Clowes.

For more information, see the Composers Academy website.

Our Top Gigs for Cheltenham Jazz Fest 2015

                                                               Supersonics: Nhu Diep

This week, Cheltenham Jazz Festival director Tony Dudley-Evans published his top picks for this year's festival, which takes place between 29th April and May 4th. The article prompted us to check out the full festival programme and we've selected a few of our own highlights to add to Tony's suggestions.

Impermanence Trio (Parabola Arts Centre, 2nd May 9.30pm)

This is one that Tony included in his picks, too. Pianist Matt Bourne teams up with Riaan Vosloo and Tim Giles to premiere the new group, Impermanence Trio. The show will be interactive, with audience members encouraged to use their phones to make decisions on the music. The trio share the bill with Alexander Hawkins and Elaine Mitchener, a duo that will also be making an exclusive first appearance.

Supersonics (Jazz Arena, 4th May, 10.45am)

An unlikely time for a jazz gig, Chris Sharkey appears as part of the festival's Family Show strand. Supersonics features long-time collaborators Chris, Stale Birkeland and Petter Frost Fadnes as they explore melody, beats and soundscapes. These gigs are open to everyone from 5 years old and over.

Clare Teal (Town Hall, 2nd May, 7pm)

One of Yorkshire's finest, vocalist Clare Teal brings her mini big band to Cheltenham. The show will feature a mixture of material, displaying Clare's own songwriting alongside her interpretation's of jazz standards.

 Dave Douglas/Lee Konitz Quintet (Town Hall, 2nd May, 3.45pm)

Dave Douglas and Lee Konitz present their new quintet for the first time in the UK. Their focus will be on the works of Lee himself, Lennie Tristano and Warne Marsh.