Forum for Music in Ireland

Forum for Music in Ireland, 1999-2009:  

‘Grasping the Nettle’

Plenary 8^th December 2009

It is exactly one week until our Forum for Music in Ireland Plenary meeting. We hope to see you there.

When:

Tuesday, 8th December from 11 to 1 and 2 to 4. Sandwiches provided at lunch

Where:

Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO),

Copyright House,

Pembroke Row,

Lower Baggot Street,

Dublin 2.

Who is speaking:

11am Tania Banotti, National Campaign for the Arts

11.30am Aisling Ryan (Music Network) and Gerard Flanagan (Kylemore College CDVEC) on the U2/Music Network music education scheme

12.15pm A representative from the Arts Council on the Indecon Report, ‘Assessment of Economic Impact of the Arts in Ireland’.

1pm Lunch

2pm Open discussion on the future direction of the Forum for Music in Ireland. Many thanks to those can’t make the Plenary but who have sent in written submissions. If you would like to submit something please e mail dkkelleherdeborah@gmail.com. Below you will find a selection of the comments sent in thus far.

4pm Close

Comments from members on various issues (all direct quotes):

• Level of activity:   Whereas the number of opportunities is growing with mda festivals, local authority arts office activities in some areas, etc.,  the number of concerts of chamber music in arts centres is very low.
• Quality of venues:  Many arts centres and theatres are not good venues for music.  In some venues, there are better locations for music than the main auditoriums but not recognised as such.
• Conditions:  Many venues are too cold in winter for both performers and instruments.   Lighting is often inadequate.  Accommodation, if provided, isn’t always at acceptable level.  Musicians should not be expected to share rooms.   They need to eat.
• Fees:    Fees are generally inadequate.   It is not always recognised that a concert is more than two hours work; preparatory time, programming, rehearsing, travel costs etc. must be acknowledged.   Artists cannot be expected to work for nothing, which is often the case when travel, accommodation, etc. are not covered.    Artists’ fees should not subsidise piano hire and other venue costs.  
• Audiences:    Audiences are the responsibility of the promoter.  Low numbers are not the fault of the performers.  
• Foreign artists:   Why is it assumed that foreign artists are better than Irish musicians?  Why do audiences flock to mediocre and even poor performances by visiting ensembles and “orchestras” and ignore high quality concerts by Irish artists?   Funded promoters have a responsibility above just providing platforms for incoming touring ensembles.
• Might it be possible to campaign for recognition of Irish artists/ensembles and standards with promoters and venue managers.
• Residency    Very few musicians can sustain a full-time performing career in Ireland.   Being based in a large centre of activity, such as London, raises level of activity, allows interaction with other musicians, etc.   However, this adds travel costs to activities here and creates problems with luggage, transport of instruments etc.  
• VAT on non-resident artist’ fees.
• The Theatre Forum is very strong and seems to have a lobbying role on arts issues.  I don't think the Music Forum has taken on this role and perhaps it is better for all art forms to present a united front (as in the current campaign representing the arts sector to the government).  However, there certainly is a role for a representative music organisation and this is what should be clarified.
• I would suggest that the overarching need for music in Ireland is a national policy which will require a commitment from Government for an appropriate period of time.  Until we have policy, and both the statutory body/bodies and funding to deliver it, music in Ireland will continue to be distinguished by the voluntary contributions of individuals (which necessarily wax and wane) and the not necessarily coordinated efforts of a variety of bodies, the overall impact of which is often at best undermined and at worst dissipated.
• Many forms of music are really well organised- I mean traditional music, Jazz and pop music. Classical music seems to need a Forum like this more than the other types of music. Is it time for Classical music to have its own Forum?