Home to Ireland’s most talented developing new artists, has announced the Dermot Kennedy Foundation Diploma in Professional Musicianship Scholarship a practical and vocational, part-time course ideal for musicians at any age looking to further their abilities.
Dermot Kennedy, one of Ireland’s most successful singer-songwriters, like many musicians, has faced challenges throughout the pandemic with the cancelling and rescheduling of highly anticipated live dates. Offering his support as the industry reopens, Dermot will partner with BIMM Institute Dublin with this new scholarship aiding burgeoning musicians who are preparing to launch their music career. The scholarship recipient will have their course fees paid in full .
Dermot’s debut album “Without Fear”, released in 2019, is the longest running #1 album in the Irish Chart by an Irish Artist since records began. It is currently certified 7 times platinum and globally, has picked up over 2 billion streams across digital platforms.
Commenting on the announcement, Dermot says: “I’m so, so excited to have this scholarship awarded in my name, in the same town where I fell in love with music, played my first show and found my way through a life in music. I’m particularly excited about choosing the recipient and hopefully helping them on their own musical journey and in creating their own story, so thank you once again.”
BIMM Institute Dublin College Principal, Alan Cullivan added “It’s fantastic to see an artist like Dermot who not only speaks up for other artists and musicians but is also doing something in a practical sense to help. We are delighted to collaborate with him as part of the college’s commitment to helping Irelands future artists achieve their ambitions”
Students on the one-year practical Foundation Diploma in Professional Musicianship receive expert guidance in their chosen field of Songwriting, Drums, Vocals or Guitar from highly skilled BIMM lecturers, all of whom have vast knowledge in the music industry and continue to be a part of it today. The course also provides upcoming musicians with performance opportunities, masterclasses, and individual tutorials.
The college, situated in the heart of Dublin’s Liberties, has become a hub of artistry and creativity, providing a springboard into the world of contemporary music through an education experience that explores technique, music culture, craft, technology and business, thoroughly and creatively.
In recent years, the college has provided a pathway for graduates to work in the music and creative industries through a network established at BIMM Institute Dublin. Some of the successful BIMM graduates include Fontaines D.C., The Murder Capital, Erica Cody, Jafaris and Craig Fitzgerald (The Academic) while many other graduates have become entrepreneurs setting up businesses in the creative arts, are successful session musicians, working as concert promoters, record labels and music publishers. Some graduates have gone on to build upon their studies at BIMM, pursuing postgraduate study in areas such as Music Therapy, Composition, and Popular Music Research at Masters level.
As with many sectors, BIMM has had to adapt to the challenges and changes brought on by Covid-19. Throughout 2020 and 2021 BIMM engaged a blended learning approach to teaching, integrating online classes with on campus tutoring while adhering to all Government and Health authority guidance. This has ensured that all BIMM students still experienced practical performative elements on campus while having access to important collaborative experiences and onsite industry standard equipment. It is the Government’s aim to substantially increase the level of face to face on campus teaching in the new academic year commencing in September 2021. This is also BIMM Institute Dublin’s aim with plans in place for increased face to face delivery already prepared.
BIMM Institute Dublin also offers full time undergraduate programmes such as the BA (Hons) in Music Business and the BA (Hons) in Commercial Modern Music, a Technological University Dublin (Formerly DIT) validated degree where students can specialise in guitar, bass, drums, vocals and songwriting.
In 2020, BIMM Institute Dublin announced the opportunity for music industry practitioners to study at post graduate level and further develop themselves academically, creatively and professionally with the launch of the MA in Popular Music Practice.
BIMM Institute Dublin also offers two more part-time Foundation Diplomas in Music Business and Music & Audio Production – for aspiring performers, producers and music industry professionals.
