Since 2012, and thanks to the support from the Creative Europe Programme, the ULYSSES Network has been dedicated to the promotion of young talented artists in the field of contemporary music. In reaction to the pandemic and the difficulty to organise physical gatherings, the ULYSSES Network proposed a series of online seminars directed to young artists, focussing on specific topics related to the development of their international career. The positive feedback received from our young artist community has motivated us to continue with the series, even after the end of the pandemic.

For each meeting, an invited speaker shortly presents a specific topic, and opens the floor  to give the participants the occasion to discuss this topic together, to address questions and share their personal experiences.  At the end of each meeting, an « Open Space » allows some of the participants to present their own projects and to exchange with their fellow artists.

#8 Thursday 25th May 2023, 11.00 CET

Speaker: Graham McKenzie, Artistic Director Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (hcmf//)

© Robbie van Zoggel

Topic: As an emerging composer how should I approach major contemporary music festivals? How do I get the attention of curators, programmers, and festival directors? What can I do to do it better and increase my success rate? What information do they want? How are festivals and concert series curated?

Festival Director and Curator Graham McKenzie addresses the challenges of self-marketing and promotion, and how an artist can break into the international marketplace!

Speaker bio:

Artistic Director of Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (hcmf//) since January 2006,  Graham McKenzie is a curator and writer in the field of experimental and new music. A former member of Réseau Varèse (2006 – 2015), and a member of the European Jazz Network. Programme Advisor to the Glasgow Jazz Festival. A founding member of Sounds Now. Co-Founder & Co-Director of Out Of The Machine Ltd a Consultancy and Production Company specialising in new music. Co-Founder & Co-Curator for sonic-a, Glasgow (2011 – 2015). Co-Founder of Glasgow Improviser’s Orchestra.

Graham regularly contributes to professional development and mentoring programmes for composers and artists, for a wide range of cultural organisations, universities and conservatoires, throughout the U.K. and Europe.