Classical Music Industry MA at University of Liverpool

The Classical Music Industry MA is an exciting and unique programme for anyone interested in progressing their career in the classical music industry, or entering or developing a career in arts management.  The MA includes a significant work experience dimension with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. The organisation includes the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the UK’s oldest professional symphony orchestra; the Grade II* listed Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and an extensive learning and education programme.

Because the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic is both a professional symphony orchestra and a venue presenting close to 400 concerts and events annually, the organisation has become fluent in the widest range of managerial specialisms. Students will be able to access this deep and rich body of experience in the lecture theatre and within the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, itself. In your first semester, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Chief Executive and Executive Team will be guest speakers and in the second semester they will supervise a period of internship within the organisation with the opportunity to become familiar with the operation, management and development of a professional symphony orchestra. You will enjoy privileged access to concerts throughout your study and meet members of the orchestra and administration team in ways not available to the general public or students on other programmes.

Career prospects

Students from the taught postgraduate programmes in the department of Music have gone on to a wide range of careers, including various positions in the music industries, museums, arts administration, journalism, publishing, and teaching. PhDs in Music are in full-time lectureships around the world (e.g. Canada, Sweden). This programme has been recognised by the AHRC as appropriate training for advanced research, and prepares students for a level of further training equivalent to doctoral study.

This programme has the employability needs of students at its very core. Designed jointly with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, who have advised at every stage, the programme draws on the University’s existing strength in music industry studies to help formulate an overview of the music economy. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic is located in the local, national and international economies for classical music and the programme is designed to make accessible the decision making processes involved in delivering a product of the highest calibre to prospective audiences. The internship offered by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic allows learning to take place in ways that build on classroom understanding. In these ways, you will graduate not just with a theoretical understanding of a complex cultural workplace but with actual experience gained in helping to deliver concerts of the highest quality to the public. Dissertation work is the synergy of practice with theory tailored by, and to, your own understanding of your career needs and aspirations.