Music performance and composition

Classical Music

Many of our students wish to pursue careers in Classical music. The North West is home to major orchestras such as:

Use the links above to find out more about auditions and careers in radio, also a useful link for orchestra auditions further afield is Musical Chairs.

BBC Radio 3 is Moving to MediaCity in Salford providing exciting career opportunities in performance but also in education, outreach, community projects and in the operational side of the business.

Popular Music

The Unsigned Guide has a regional edition and is the definitive music industry directory for unsigned bands and musicians. The publishers, mcr:music, regularly look for researchers to assist with updating national information (including contacts for record labels, publishing companies, venues, studios and management companies) and also research new information.

Promoting your music

  • The Gene Pool Indie label and distributor that gives you a chance to sell your music

Get your music played on the radio.

Music departments within radio networks will often be looking for good new music to play on air but they will be inundated so make sure you stand out and submit your music correctly using these top tips:

  • Submit any music with a release date. This is necessary as radio stations need to keep their playlist fresh and up-to-date. A release date enables the music departments to plan accordingly.
  • Don’t send audio files via email as this can cause problems with overloading the email server. Instead send a link or a physical copy.
  • Don’t overlook opportunities on student or community radio.

Online Presence

Have a presence across a number of music websites to gain exposure and look professional and build your network using LinkedIn as well as specialist online communities such as:

Local Presence

Concentrate on being ‘brilliant’ rather than ‘making it’. Remember there is a difference between a 'musician' and a 'performer'. The Beatles did roughly 200 gigs as groundwork to become slick performers and to secure a record deal. Concentrate your efforts locally, playing at least 3 gigs at the same venue to help develop a reputation and fan-base.

Be wary of some promoters – they can ask bands to pay to perform at certain events with the promise that people from the music industry will be there listening. The actuality of a music big-wig attending the event is highly unlikely. Some venues also require the artist or band members to sell a certain number of tickets or they don't get into that venue. This overall practice is known as 'Pay to Play' which many bands do not like.

Find other opportunities to perform

There are lots of ways to build a career in music, use these websites to find paid and voluntary opportunities to perform to build your experience and contacts.

Remember our work experience bursary could help you if you are doing unpaid work experience.

Composition