This programme is designed to prepare you for a future in the classical music industry, a complex and exciting field with many interesting employment opportunities. You will examine current issues and challenges facing the industry and explore questions such as: From Spotify playlists to Super Audio CD, how is classical music consumed in the 21st century? Are stars like Lang Lang or Sheku Kanneh-Mason creating new and more diverse audiences for classical music? Is the concert hall the best place for classical music performances? From crossover to the ‘classics’ and from film music to contemporary classical works, what is understood by ‘classical music’?

The MA Classical Music Business is ideal for any graduates with a specific interest in classical music, or for those with a classical music performance, musicology or composition degree. It is also highly suitable for anybody already in employment, who wants to further progress their career in the classical music industry.

Why study MA Classical Music Business at Middlesex University?

The MA Classical Music Business at Middlesex is unique. In addition to its distinct content and specialised teaching, this programme gives you the opportunity take up placements with classical music organisations such as music publishing house Peters Edition, the National Opera Studio, the record label and promoter NonClassical, period instrument orchestra Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and the English Chamber Orchestra. Work placements can also be carried out elsewhere in the UK, Europe, and other parts of the world.

As Middlesex University is based in London, the centre of classical music activity in the UK, we are perfectly placed to attract high calibre speakers as well as introduce you to a wide range of concerts and cultural activities at internationally renowned classical music institutions such as the Wigmore Hall, Southbank Centre and the Barbican.  You will examine contemporary issues and practices within the classical music industry and obtain a high level of understanding of how organisations are funded through commercial, public, and philanthropic income. Your work placement will also allow you to explore the practices and required skills of your chosen area within the classical music industry.

The MA Classical Music Business, with its integral work placement, will constitute a bridge between higher education and industry. The work placements will provide you with highly valuable industry experience and will likely to lead to employment, either with the placement organisation or elsewhere.

Career prospects can include the following, both nationally and internationally:

• artist and event management companies
• concert agencies
• media and music public relations companies
• music marketers
• orchestral and ensemble management
• tour managers
• venue management in both the private and maintained sectors