SEMS - Open Selection 2003-04

Open Selection 2008

On this page:

	Purpose of scheme
	What’s on offer to Appointed Artists
	Why SEMS is different
	What’s happening in 2008
	Process of selection
	Eligibility
	Criteria
	How to Apply
	CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS Monday 21st April 2008

Purpose of scheme

The purpose of the scheme is to stimulate new work, new ideas and new groups by assisting professional musicians gain recognition for their work, and by offering promoters across the South and South East of England something different, unusual and interesting, at a price which encourages them to engage with it. All genres of broadly acoustic music are included, jazz, blues, classical, folk, contemporary, world and traditional music.

What’s on offer to Appointed Artists

The Appointed Artists from each Open Selection are appointed to the scheme on a non-exclusive basis for two years. Each group is marketed to 800 promoters, venues, festivals and educational establishments in the South East by a series of marketing material and an interactive web-site. At the outset of the appointment each group/artist is invited to outline their ambitions and development objectives which are then discussed with SEMS Executive Consultant, Board members and other specialist advisers. The result of these consultations is an agreed plan which uses the available resources and best advice to achieve the artists’ ambitions. This may include, but is not limited to performances, recordings, web-presence, commissioning new work, cross artform projects, education and community schemes, and/or new costumes or lighting. The first year of the appointment is used in promotion including planning, scheduling, diary dates and negotiating appropriate fee levels, with grant applications, repertoire and professional development as necessary. The second year normally includes the planned performances, tours, audience development work and press and marketing support for the promoters and the selected musicians.

Why SEMS is different

	By offering artists selected through such a rigorous procedure, SEMS has developed a trustworthy kitemark of quality acknoweldged and valued by promoters across the South East region.
	By involving well-respected performers, educators, critics and administrators in the selection process and by providing an informal feedback service to applicant musicians, it becomes a useful exercise for many more than the appointed musicians.
	By including a high percentage of promoters among its selection panel, SEMS has shown depth in its understanding of the current position for live acoustic music in the region and is therefore in a strong position to encourage promoters to try works, groups, genre, or diverse cultural traditions which they may not have tried from a position of experience.
	By working on behalf of the musicians in a concentrated geographical area and within defined time constraints SEMS can offer a service to promoters and musicians which gives greater value for money in a guaranteed quality package. In this way SEMS opens up a much broader spectrum of music to audiences at an affordable price.
	By constant contact with promoters and musicians SEMS can also assist in developing new audiences by brokering projects with its performers in collaboration with promoters, schools and colleges, Making Music, Youth Music, and other agencies for which it co-ordinates fundraising, career development and promotional activities.

What’s happening in 2008

SEMS will appoint between two and four musicians or groups of the highest calibre who have something new or artistically progressive to offer the region’s promoters. Perhaps it may be a new group, a new fusion of genre, unusual, rarely performed or new works, different types of music, or new working partnerships. The closing date for applications is 21st April 2008.

Process of selection

Candidates are selected initially on the basis of the application form, submitted recordings and written references. Around 10 – 20 % of the best applicants will then be invited to live auditions on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th May 2008 at the Yehudi Menuhin School, Stoke D’Abernon, Surrey when the final selection and appointments will be made. Both stages of the selection are undertaken by a panel of well-known professional musicians and performers experienced in working across a wide range of genre and within the South East. Details of the panel for each stage will be available from SEMS on application two weeks in advance of the relevant selection round.

Eligibility

Any combination of voice(s) and/or instrument(s) may apply. All genres of acoustic music are included, jazz, blues, classical, folk, contemporary, world and traditional music. Acoustic music is defined as not requiring electricity for performance, even if, in a perfect world, some amplification is desirable. There is no age limit but practical and logistical considerations mean that it would normally exclude those still pursuing full time education. Selected groups will be expected to maintain their partnership for the duration of their tenure on the scheme.

SEMS is particularly keen to promote the careers of musicians resident in the South East from Hampshire to Kent, North Oxfordshire to East Sussex but excluding the London Boroughs. While we give special consideration to musicians who are resident in, or who can demonstrate a connection with the region, this does not preclude the success of applications from other groups who provide an essence of the new, unusual and otherwise unavailable.

Criteria

The keys to success in the application process are the demonstrable quality of the work, the reliability and competence of the group, the degree of innovation in what is offered and a price match on fees.

Put more formally, SEMS is seeking musicians who:-

	have the ability to express, or interpret, the essence of a musical work through the quality of their performance
	can demonstrate a very high standard of technical proficiency
	can present evidence of their achievements in music
	show the personal qualities and abilities to engage successfully with audiences through music
	can command a wide repertoire and display an interest in innovative programming
	display an interest in working with young people, and new audiences
	have the ability to communicate well with promoters
	are willing to offer reasonable fee discounts for clustered dates
	are willing to travel throughout the region, and
	are punctual and reliable.

How to Apply

First, download the Application Form in whatever format suits you best:

	Application Form - Microsoft Word Document (downloadable/in new window)
	Application Form - PDF File (downloadable/in new window) (if you need Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download it for free from www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html)

Applications must be on the form provided.

The names of one referee and one concert promoter should be provided in the appropriate places. Recorded material submitted in support of your application should be notated in the appropriate place. If you wish your audition tape or CD returned please provide a sae of suitable size.

A non-refundable application fee of £30 is required (cheques payable to South East Music Schemes). Applications must be made in hard copy submitted by Royal Mail. We regret that due to the nature of the requirements, applications by e-mail are not acceptable.

Send Applications to:-

SEMS

Garden Office, 2 Birch Terrace, Hanging Birch Lane, Waldron, Heathfield

East Sussex TN21 0PA

If you have any queries about the scheme, about your eligibility, or if the application fee presents a problem, please contact us.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS Monday 21st April 2008