My Career - Concert and Arts Administration
Why did you study music at The University of Sheffield?
"The variety in terms of the modules you could take. It wasn't just classical music and the course introduced lots of different ideas and areas of music for me to explore. I loved the importance of folk/world music in the curriculum and the variety of modules there were in this area".
What did you like about the city of Sheffield?
"It's friendly and accessible and just has a great vibe to it. I'm still here, I love it!"
What career opportunities have you had following your course?
"I work for Music in the Round in Learning and Participation, which involves planning everything from schools projects, to family concerts, to talks and Q&As, to big community events. I am generally office based, planning these events and coming up with ideas for the future, but there's also a lot of events management, running concerts and other events at the Crucible theatre and other venues around the city. I have also just started as a violin teacher, and also do a bit of freelance playing and event management.
I was lucky to start my job pretty much straight after finishing my masters, and I have been in that role since finishing university. With regard to freelance playing and teaching, these are things that have developed through forging connections with other musical people around Sheffield, many of which were through studying in the Department of Music".
Are there any particular skills that you make use of that you feel you wouldn't have gained without doing a degree in a music-related subject?
"Studying music introduced me to a lot of people who have been important in giving me lots of opportunities, particularly performance opportunities. I am a stronger musician because of the opportunities I have had to play in a variety of different situations and with a variety of ensembles. Volunteering with Music in the City and studying Music Education modules gave me lots of knowledge about music education and specifically about music in Sheffield, which is invaluable for my current job".
What advice would you give someone graduating from music now?
"My top tip is networking, just getting out there and meeting other musical people, getting advice and support from them. I've had a lot of opportunities given to me by people I randomly met at a gig once, or someone I ended up playing in a show with once. We're all trying hard to develop a career in the arts...so peer support is the most important thing".