The Journal of Music’s new Advisory Board held its second meeting yesterday (Wednesday 9 February).

Established last September, the new group acts as a sounding board for the publication and provides feedback on editorial content and strategy.

Yesterday’s meeting focused on the post-pandemic period, new trends and developments in the music industry, and the opportunities and challenges for the Journal of Music.

There are eight members on the board, comprising a range of expertise across contemporary, classical, folk and traditional, jazz, hip hop, rock and pop, and a wide range of industry knowledge. 

The members are: Benedict Schlepper-Connolly (Chair), composer,  Director of the Ergodos record label and Digital Curator at the Museum of Literature Ireland; Aine Cronin McCartney, radio presenter, music blogger and artist manager; Neva Elliott McGinley, visual artist and former CEO of Crash Ensemble; Gerry Godley, former Principal and Managing Director of Leeds Conservatoire and former Director of the Improvised Music Company; Ciara Higgins, Head of Artistic Programming at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Artistic Director of the Dublin International Chamber Music Festival; Munyaradzi God Knows Jonas, artist and founder of Narolane Records; Gareth Murphy, writer and author of Cowboys and Indies – The Epic History of the Record Industry; and musician and broadcaster Ruth Smith.

Commenting on the meeting, Toner Quinn, editor of the Journal of Music, said:

The pandemic has had a profound impact on the music industry and yesterday’s meeting was an excellent opportunity to take stock, to discuss current trends, and explore new ideas for the future. These meetings are extremely valuable for the editorial staff of the Journal of Music and assist us in our planning. We look forward to future discussions.

The Advisory Board meets three times a year. For a report on the first meeting, see here.