Arts Journalism workshop: 24-31 March 2007
For the fifth successful year, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival will be presenting its specialist music journalism training programme, ‘Reviving the Drumbeat’ from 24-31 March 2007, as part of the Festival workshop and conference programme. But this year there’s a difference. print participants on the jazz journalism course – in collaboration with their radio and photographic peers – will be providing fast, on-the-pulse coverage of the sights, sounds, personalities and ideas at CTIJF via a presence on the Festival website.
The course offers an opportunity to study, practice and be a**essed against the nationally-registered standard in specialist journalism – with the music beat as the specialism – in the context of the exciting run-up to the country's premier jazz festival. This is not available at any other SA institution.
The course includes:
A workbook with guidance on the basic tool-kit needed to work as a music journalist – interviewing, reviewing and writing music profiles and features that are interesting and accessible for readers.
practical guidance in identifying credible stories, building up sources and making the most of press conferences.
ample opportunity to network with musicians and other industry professionals, to meet festival role-players and attend and report on press conferences, the South Atlantic Music Festival, concerts, the jazz conference, master cla**es and other workshops.
guided practice in covering the music beat under the mentorship of experienced journalists.
Participants will receive an attendance certificate and may also be a**essed towards the SAQA Unit Standard ‘Cover a Specialist Beat as a Journalist’ (6 credits at Level 5 and part of the MAPPP-SETA National Certificate in Journalism.) These credits stay with learners for life, and can be put towards relevant future studies.
The course is facilitated by a team of experienced media trainers co-ordinated by music writer Gwen Ansell, Business Day and Weekender jazz columnist, former Executive Director of the IAJ, author of the SA jazz history book Soweto Blues (Continuum (NY) 2005) and contributor on South African jazz to the latest edition of The Rough Guide To World Music.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Broadcast or print journalists in mainstream or community media covering the arts and entertainment beat or wishing to do so.
Junior journalists who are currently part of intern, cadet or workplace skills programmes
Final-year or graduate journalism/media or music students
FEES & SCHOLARSHIPS
Course fee is R1 500 per person for the full week’s tuition and materials. Candidates from outside the Cape Town area or their employers are responsible for the costs of their travel and accommodation.
A limited number of full (fees, travel and accommodation) and part (fees only) scholarships is available for cadets, learners, interns, students, freelancers and community media workers based in South Africa.
We regret that for budgetary reasons, scholarships are not available to applicants in full-time employment with commercial media houses, or to applicants from outside South Africa.
HOW TO APPLY
Only 15 places are available on this unique programme -- apply early!
Submit the following documents:
Your CV, including at least two contactable references
A personal letter saying why you want to attend the course, how you hope to benefit, and what you can bring to it.
PLUS
IF YOU ARE A STUDENT OR INTERN:
A letter of support from your lecturer or supervisor
IF YOU ARE IN FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT:
ONE sample of your published journalism work, or reference to a web archive where we can access it electronically
A letter from your employer agreeing to release you for the full period of the course AND to cover the cost of course fees, and the cost of travel and accommodation if you are based outside Cape Town.
IF YOU ARE SEEKING A SCHOLARSHIP:
An essay (maximum 500 words) on the following topic:
"Now that blogging and other developments in public journalism create
the opportunity for every internet user to be a critic, is there any
role left for the professional music writer -- and, if so, what is it?"
If your application does not contain all the elements requested, it will not be considered.
Do not include any other certificates, testimonials or documents.
Send your application, preferably by e-mail, to course supervisor Gwen Ansell at
sisgwen@iafrica.com.
Put the words ‘CTIJF course application’ in the subject line
If you need to use surface mail, send the package to:
Gwen Ansell PO Box 719 Bruma 2026 Johannesburg
To be considered, applications must arrive not later than close of business on Friday 23 February 2006.
