UPDATE! Mid-way through your application and rushed to get it in by deadline? We know how it feels. That’s why we’re extending our deadline by 48 hours, so it’s all smooth sailing.
**APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 5pm, 28 November 2018**
Here at CutCommon, we believe passion is the core ingredient of every delicious piece of arts criticism. That’s why we’re excited to launch a brand new mentorship and partnership program with the Peninsula Summer Music Festival, just for you.
We’ll share with you a variety of key approaches regarding writing about what you hear, even if you’ve never written before.
Welcome to the inaugural CutCommon Young Critics’ Mentorship!
You may have noticed our CutCommon Young Writer of the Year Competition went on hiatus in 2018, after we successfully launched the literary journeys of the talented Myles Oakey (2016 winner, and Subeditor, 2018 CutCommon print issue #1) and Celine Chong (2017 winner, and CutCommon Lead Writer, QLD). Well, we’re back. And our fresh mentorship program marries new professional learning opportunities with a wonderful new partnership with the Peninsula Summer Music Festival.
We’re excited to announce that applications for this mentorship are now open.
Why apply, anyway?
- You’re curious about expanding your existing communications skills in the areas of reviewing and writing about music.
- You’re a musician keen to develop your expression and ability to communicate through the written word — skills useful for program notes, liner notes, and reviews.
- You’ve never tried writing about music, and want to find out where your love of music might lead when applied to the area of music journalism.
Whatever your reason for applying, there’s sure to be something for you in our brand new mentorship program.
As the awardee of the inaugural CutCommon Young Critics’ Mentorship, you will receive:
- An on-location mentorship at the 2019 Peninsula Summer Music Festival with CutCommon Deputy Editor Lucy Rash;
- Free entry into PSMF events taking place on the weekend of 5-6 January 2019, with travel and accommodation costs generously provided by PSMF;
- The option for a free, ongoing six-month digital mentorship tailored to your interests with CutCommon Founding Editor Stephanie Eslake, after the conclusion of the festival.
What’ll take place in the mentorship?
You’ll learn from two of Australia’s leading classical music critics, and have the time of your life in the process. At PSMF, you’ll work with Lucy Rash, who will provide you with this one-on-one professional development opportunity tailored to your individual interests and needs as a writer.
Together, you’ll attend a series of concerts with renowned performers, some of which may include the Australian Haydn Ensemble, David Greco, James Henry, Martlin, and Songmakers Australia. And then, you’ll learn how to listen, and how to translate this into a great piece of arts criticism.
Lucy will guide you through a variety of approaches to writing and music criticism including understanding tone, structure, and description; and you’ll even have the chance to be on camera if you like, too.
At the end of the mentorship, not only will your works be published in CutCommon — Australia’s classical music magazine with a digital readership of 20,000 a month — but you’ll also have the option to continue to develop your skills over a period of six months, beyond the festival itself.
Commencing after the festival, you’ll be provided with entry to concerts in your city and/or digital recordings, depending on your location and interests. Through this optional extended mentorship, CutCommon Editor Stephanie Eslake will strengthen your skills through workshopping your writing and technique.
How can you apply?
We want to read you. To apply, email us with:
- Your CV (maximum 2 pages);
- A brief statement outlining why you’d like to be awarded this mentorship, and what you hope to gain through the experience (maximum 250 words);
- A sample of your writing, in which you tell us all about a gig you recently attended, or a recording you heard (maximum 250 words). For this component, we’d recommend you put on your critic hat.
All materials should be provided in a single PDF document. Please include your full name in the title of the document. Your CV should include your phone number, so we can give you a ring if you win (and, of course, line up festival arrangements with you).
Applicant requirements:
- You must be an Australian resident aged 18-30 years to enter the CutCommon Young Critics’ Mentorship. No experience required, just a passion for music and writing.
- Your written entry and all other contributions MUST be your own work.
- Please supply a headshot (landscape and high res file preferred). We’ll publish it in celebration of your success!
- You MUST be available to undertake the mentorship at the Peninsula Summer Music Festival on 5-6 January 2019. (Please do not apply for our critics’ mentorship unless you are available to take part in the mentorship on the available dates. Cancellation or unresponsiveness may result in a fee for the loss of travel, accommodation, and festival passes that are generously funded on your behalf by PSMF.)
Applications should be sent to editor@cutcommon.com.
CLOSING DATE: 5pm, 26 November 2018.
*EXTENDED!*
CLOSING DATE: 5pm, 28 November 2018.
Winners will be announced in early December, and all applicants will receive a short feedback statement on their submission.
Who will judge the competition?
Our three judges for the inaugural CutCommon Young Critics’ Mentorship include (drum roll, please)…
CutCommon Deputy Editor Lucy Rash
Peninsula Summer Music Festival Artistic Director Ben Opie
2017 CutCommon Young Writer of the Year and Lead Writer (Queensland) Celine Chong
CutCommon would like to thank the Peninsula Summer Music Festival for helping to bring this opportunity to life for emerging Australian arts critics.
We look forward to reading your application to the inaugural CutCommon Young Critics’ Mentorship.
Good luck!
T&Cs:
- All judging decisions are final. However, you will receive a feedback statement on your application in due course.
- CutCommon reserves the right not to award a winner in the case that entries are unsatisfactory or inappropriate.
- Previous winners of the CutCommon Young Writer of the Year Competition are ineligible for this mentorship. However, runners-up and previous entrants may apply.
- You consent to your written and/or video reviews about the Peninsula Summer Music Festival mentorship experience to be published on CutCommon throughout the month of January. They will undergo a final editing stage with CutCommon Editor Stephanie Eslake.
- All pieces of writing completed through this mentorship program and under the guidance of our editorial team will remain the property of CutCommon, but may be published elsewhere or released on mutual arrangement with you, CutCommon, and PSMF. (We’re pretty flexible like that.)
- Lucy Rash and CutCommon are not liable for any risks, damages, losses, or injuries that occur to any party as part of the process or outcome of this mentorship. This includes return travel, accommodation, editorial or audio/visual coverage of the event/s, and social media posts. You may contact us for questions surrounding public liability at PSMF.
- Writers who have been published with more than three stories or reviews in CutCommon prior to the close of entry date may not apply.
Got questions? Email deputyeditor@cutcommonmag.com.
Images supplied. Featured credit David Joyce via Flickr CC2.0
