Music Network has announced it will commission 20 musicians to write a new piece of music to be premiered in a series of online music performances called The Butterfly Sessions.
The performances will be hosted on Music Network’s YouTube channel and shared on all of the organisation’s digital platforms.
Curated by Music Network, 20 artists with a strong track record in performing and composing will be invited to participate. Music Network’s standard artistic selection criteria around quality and gender equality, as well as genre, demographic and geographical diversity will apply.
This new initiative is one of a number of ways in which Music Network will support Irish and Ireland-based artists in the coming weeks during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Music Network’s CEO Sharon Rollston said:
“During this extremely difficult time for professional musicians, The Butterfly Sessions will generate much-needed income for 20 of Ireland’s leading musicians while creating a unique and high-quality musical legacy for all to enjoy. Trad fans will instantly spot the reference in the title to the well-known tune ‘The Butterfly’, associated with the great fiddler Tommy Potts, but this series will also feature jazz and contemporary classical compositions.’’
The full list of participating musicians will be announced on Thursday 2nd April and the commissions will be broadcast on Music Network’s YouTube channel every Wednesday and Friday at 8pm for 10 weeks starting on Wednesday 8th April and Friday 10th April 2020.
Music Network also invites members of the public who would like to support musicians/composers at this time to take positive action by commissioning a new work for a loved one. Music Network will be happy to facilitate this process:
“With the world in upheaval and a renewed focus on the things that really matter to us all, creating new music in someone’s name can be an incredibly meaningful way to send a positive message to a loved one anywhere across the globe.”
Music Network also plans to fast-track a number of additional projects to create opportunities for more musicians online during this very challenging period. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
View full list of performance dates