ICMP launches Masters in Songwriting scholarship

Miranda Cooper: the Xenomania songwriter is supporting the scholarship

The Institute Of Contemporary Music Performance aims to encourage diversity and equality in songwriting with a scholarship worth over £7,000

London’s Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP), in partnership with BASCA, has announced the launch of a new ‘Diversity and Equality in Music Scholarship’ for their Masters (MA) in Songwriting course, worth £7,500 and supported by acclaimed songwriter Miranda Cooper. The scholarship’s purpose is to take steps to encourage more individuals from under-represented backgrounds to engage with a postgraduate music degree. It responds directly to the 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 creative programme designed to enable students to examine, explore and focus on the art and craft of songwriting.

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 Sugababes and numerous other hit singles for artists including 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’.

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

For more information on the courses that ICMP provides, including a Masters in Songwriting and a BA Degree in Songwriting, visit: icmp.ac.uk

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