CMC Professional Development Series 2

Following a successful series of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events in July 2020 covering various aspects of online performances and a clinic on contemporary notation in Sibelius, CMC presents another series of CPD events for composers and new music specialists.

Designed to meet the ongoing needs raised by the contemporary music community in light of the changed circumstances resulting from Covid–19 restrictions, registration is free of charge and all interested are welcome to participate.

Hosted by CMC's Linda O'Shea Farren, the sessions take place each Thursday throughout November 2020 and feature a Logic Pro X Clinic presented by composer and producer Conor O’Boyle, a session with pianist and wellbeing coach Xenia Pestova Bennett on 12 November, as well as a Sibelius Notation software clinic and introduction to Dorico with composers Anselm McDonnell and Lillie Harris on 19 November, and concluding with a session with Rob Farhat on developing audiences on 26 November.

Logic Pro X Clinic presented by Conor O’Boyle

Logic Pro X Clinic presented by Conor O'Boyle

Logic Pro X is a digital audio workstation (DAW) and MIDI sequencer software application for the macOS platform. However, like all software, it comes with limitations, quirks, and features that can be frustrating when trying to achieve ideas, particularly within the idiom of contemporary music. Presented by composer and producer Conor O’Boyle, the clinic aims to assist with some of the challenges that composers and other contemporary music specialists may face when using Logic Pro X.

Calm, Balance and Strength: Breathwork for Anxiety Management presented by Xenia Pestova Bennett

Calm, Balance and Strength: Breathwork for Anxiety Management presented by Xenia Pestova Bennett

The second event 'Calm, Balance and Strength: Breathwork for Anxiety Management' features pianist and wellbeing coach Xenia Pestova Bennett.  

Our lives and identities as creative practitioners are profoundly disrupted by the global pandemic.  While the rates of anxiety and depression continue to rise, support for our wellbeing is not always readily available.  This session aims to assist composers and other contemporary music specialists in coping with some of the challenges they may be facing due to Covid-19. Following a general overview of anxiety management with CMC’s Linda O’Shea Farren, Xenia will introduce anxiety management techniques based on simple and proven breathing techniques.  Participants are introduced to the ‘anatomy’ of the breath, learn how to strengthen the lungs and immune system, and explore some of the science behind breathwork for balancing the autonomic nervous system.  

Participants are also be guided through a series of practical breathing exercises that can be used on a daily basis. 

Notation in Sibelius Clinic II & Introduction to Dorico presented by Anselm McDonnell and Lillie Harris

Notation in Sibelius Clinic & Introduction to Dorico presented by Anselm McDonnell and Lillie Harris

Notation in Sibelius Clinic II & Introduction to Dorico presented by Anselm McDonnell and Lillie Harris

Notation software is a vital tool for professionals involved in the field of new music. However, it comes with limitations, quirks and features that can be frustrating when trying to typeset ideas, particularly within the idiom of contemporary notation. 

Composer and guitarist Anselm McDonnell has experience in finding engraving solutions to a variety of notational problems in Sibelius. Following a brief overview of notation software options available with CMC’s Linda O’Shea Farren, using a shared screen, Anselm addresses specific situations or challenges in relation to Sibelius software that participants may suggest.

Anselm and Linda will also be joined by composer Lillie Harris, who works in Dorico. As both Anselm and Lillie use Dorico software, this introduction should be of interest both to people who are already using Dorico and those who want to explore what it has to offer.

Developing an Audience presented by Rob Farhat

Developing an Audience presented by Rob Farhat

Creative practitioners are heavily dependent on others discovering, and listening to, their music. This session is aimed at assist composers and other contemporary music specialists to disseminate their music at home and abroad, including coping with some additional dissemination challenges (among others) they may be facing due to Covid-19.  In the course of an overview of audience development and dissemination in general with CMC’s Linda O’Shea Farren, Rob Farhat outlines practical steps that composers and performers can take, and various avenues they can explore, to get their music heard by a wider audience.