Encourage Equality And Diversity In Music

The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP), in partnership with BASCA, is proud to announce the launch of a new ICMP ‘Diversity and Equality in Music Scholarship’ for their unique Masters (MA) in Songwriting course, worth £7.5k and supported by acclaimed songwriter Miranda Cooper.

The purpose of this scholarship is to take positive steps to encourage more individuals from under-represented backgrounds to engage with a postgraduate music degree. It responds directly to the urgent need to increase the proportion of women and those from ethnic minority backgrounds studying music or composition as highlighted in BASCA’s 2016 Equality and Diversity in New Music Commissioning report.

ICMP will reserve one place on their Masters (MA) in Songwriting course in September 2017 for an applicant who meets at least one of several diversity criteria – whether students come from a BAME background, have a disability, have previously been in care or are currently a carer, or come from backgrounds less likely to enable attendance at university. The Masters in Songwriting is a highly creative programme designed to enable students to examine, explore and focus on the art and craft of songwriting.

The announcement of this scholarship demonstrates ICMP’s continued aim of encouraging increased numbers of students from both within and outside of London to further their education and build successful careers in the music industry. The scholarship is supported by acclaimed songwriter Miranda Cooper, who has spent more time on the UK chart than any female writer in history, and is the songwriter behind ‘Sound of the Underground’ and ‘The Promise’ for Girls Aloud, ‘Round Round’ for the Sugababes and numerous other hit singles for artists including The Pet Shop Boys, Kylie Minogue, Alesha Dixon and Gabriella Cilmi. Miranda was signed for many years to famed writing and production house Xenomania, by whom she was often described as their ‘chief lyricist’.

Regarding the scholarship, Miranda said: “I feel very passionately that songwriting should be accessible to everybody, regardless of their age, gender, class or ethnicity. I am delighted to back this scholarship which gives someone the chance to fulfil their musical dreams”.

To apply for the ICMP’s ‘Diversity and Equality in Music Scholarship’ click here.