Music Education Council www.mec.org.uk
The Music Education Council draws its membership from across the entire music education and music industry sectors. This gives it a uniquely big picture of music education and is why MEC is the umbrella body for all UK organisations connected with music education. It exists to bring together and provide a forum for member organisations to debate issues affecting music education and to make representation and promote appropriate action at local, national and international level.
National Music Council www.nationalmusiccouncil.org.uk
The National Music Council sits at the centre of a complex network of national music organisations, and is a key organisation that exists to promote the interests of the music sector as a whole. Membership is drawn from all areas of the music sector and is open to all organisations with an interest in music and its development in the UK: professional, voluntary and amateur; subsidised and commercial; creative and educational. The strength of the Council lies in the number and diversity of its members. The National Music Council seeks to celebrate and promote the value and enjoyment of music, which contributes, in all its forms, to the cultural, spiritual, educational, social and economic well-being of the United Kingdom. Its work is driven by the three key aims and a recognition of the vital inter-relationships that exist between different industry sub-sectors and genres. Jazz Services Director Chris Hodgkins is an elected member of the NMC.
Association of British Jazz Musicians www.abjm.org.uk
The ABJM represents the interests of jazz musicians in the UK. The ABJM has spearheaded several campaigns and instigated a variety of initiatives relevant to the needs of the profession. Through their “Is Radio Fair to Jazz?” campaign they have seen an increase in jazz content both on BBC and commercial stations. Their“Jazz Can’t Survive on Crumbs” campaign drew nationwide attention to the low level of funding provided by the Arts Council – 8.5 pence per jazz enthusiast compared to £7.95 pence for opera lovers. They also liaise regularly with the Musicians’ Union to discuss issues relating to jazz musicians, and seek ways to expand the opportunities for the performance and advancement of jazz music in Great Britain.
Europe Jazz Network www.europejazz.net
Europe Jazz Network (EJN) is a Europe-wide association of producers, presenters and supporting organisations who specialise in creative music, contemporary jazz and improvised music created from a distinctly European perspective.The membership includes 81 organisations (Festivals, clubs and concert venues, independent promoters, national organisations) in 25 countries. EJN exists to support the identity and diversity of jazz in Europe and broaden awareness of this vital area of music as a cultural and educational force. EJN's mission is to encourage, promote and support the development of the creative improvised musics of the European scene and to create opportunities for artists, organisers and audiences from the different countries to meet and communicate. EJN believes that creative music contributes to social and emotional growth and economic prosperity. It is an invaluable channel for the process of inter-cultural dialogue, communication and collaboration. And music is a positive force for harmony and understanding between people from the diversity of cultures inherent in the European family.
International Association of Schools of Jazz (IASJ) www.iasj.com
The IASJ is the only world wide network promoting jazz and jazz education. The main activity is the annual IASJ Jazz Meeting taking place in a different country every year. The IASJ Jazz Meeting is a starting point for students, teachers and representatives of schools of jazz to play, exchange ideas and to network. The future of jazz is connected to the future of jazz education and the IASJ is the link.Through these and all other kinds of connections members benefit from the IASJ in many respects. Being a member of the IASJ enables students, teachers and staff to broaden their horizons through contact with colleagues from all over the world. The first IASJ Jazz Meeting took place in The Hague, The Netherlands in 1989. Ever since, jazz schools that play a major role in jazz and jazz education in Europe and the USA hosted the IASJ Jazz Meeting. In the years to come IASJ Jazz Meetings are planned in Austria, Denmark, South Africa, the USA, as well as in various top level jazz schools in Europe.
Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) www.ism.org
The Incorporated Society of Musicians is the UK’s professional body for musicians. They champion the importance of music and protect the rights of those working within music through a range of services, campaigns, support and practical advice. The ISM offer peace of mind with their high quality legal expertise, casework and comprehensive insurance and are proud of the assistance they have given their members since 1882. They are a wholly independent non profit-making organisation. Without political interference or financial imperatives they express robust and authoritative views which champion both music and professional musicians. The ISM's members come from all branches of the profession – performers and composers working in a variety of different disciplines and genres; private, peripatetic and classroom music teachers; academics, advisers, music managers, music technology professionals, music therapists, and music administrators.