Music Apprenticeships
What are the best apprenticeships for musicians?
Do you love to make music? Can you compose, conduct, sing or play an instrument?
Consider taking a music-based apprenticeship.
Why Music is useful for Apprenticeships
The ability to sing, play an instrument or compose music is a much sought-after skill. From the UK charts to opera and musical theatre, adverts to computer games, music is everywhere.
The entertainment industry includes many singers and musicians with various roles, but there are also composers, conductors, music journalists, managers, sound engineers and more. Music is also used in therapy, TV and films, and marketing.
This Is Music 2023, a report by the UK music industry body UK Music, concluded that the UK music industry contributed £6.7 billion to the economy, with music exports generating £4 billion.
You will find several apprenticeships that cater to different aspects of the music industry. So, if you want to start the next phase of your life, a music-based apprenticeship may hit the right note.
Transferable skills
Learning to play an instrument, read and/or write music or sing takes practice, and that means discipline.
You must be passionate about your musical calling, willing to put in a lot of hard work and patient. You will need to listen carefully to catch changes in rhythm or tempo.
You need a good memory and a strong streak of creativity, especially if you are writing new music. You may be working alone or as part of a team, so the ability to collaborate is useful.
Reading music has been likened to learning a foreign language and could help you to become bilingual or learn shorthand as part of journalism training.
There are several skills you can hone as part of a music apprenticeship that could help you in other fields later on.
Intermediate roles
Despite its name, a Level 2 or intermediate apprenticeship is the lowest level of apprenticeship, designed for school leavers. The idea is that young people who are perhaps not the most academic can earn while they learn valuable skills lacking in the UK workforce. These entry-level programmes are also ideal for older people who want a change of career.
Entry Requirements
The mandatory requirements for any UK apprenticeship are :
- You must be 16 or older
- You must not be in full-time education
- You must have the right to live and work in the UK
Each apprenticeship provider will determine the other entry requirements per the national standards set for each subject, so you must always check carefully.
Music-based apprenticeships typically require a minimum of five GCSEs of grade C or above (or equivalent).Three in English, maths, and music.
This is not always a deal-breaker, however. Some intermediate apprenticeships enable successful candidates to complete the outstanding qualifications as part of the apprenticeship. They don’t want to miss out on a great candidate because they may not tick all the initial boxes.
Qualifications gained
Completing a Level 2 apprenticeship will award you the equivalent of 5 good GCSE passes.
Level 2 music apprenticeships are available at The Brit Trust.
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Advanced/Higher/Degree targeted at A-Level
Once you get past the entry-level stage, UK apprenticeships are structured as follows:
- Level 3 apprenticeships are advanced
- Levels 4 and 5 are higher
- Levels 6 and 7 are degree apprenticeships.
Entry Requirements
An advanced music apprenticeship may require the same qualifications as an intermediate – five or more GCSEs of C or above (or equivalent) with one in music and the core subjects of maths and English.
To be eligible for Higher and degree music apprenticeships, you will need strong A-level passes in music and a related or core subject, as above.
Qualifications gained
The qualifications gained are as follows:
- Advanced apprenticeship = 2 A-Level passes.
- Higher apprenticeship = a foundation degree
- Degree apprenticeship = a full Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, depending on your level of study.
Advanced, higher and degree music apprenticeships include:
- Assistant Recording Technician Apprenticeship – UK Music
- Live Event Technician Level 3 – Access Creative
- Broadcast and media systems engineer (integrated degree) (Level 6) – Birmingham City University
Industry Focus
Music impacts a variety of industries, from live entertainment, films and TV, and computer games to education, here are a few of the roles a musical apprenticeship could help you secure.
While it’s true that only a small percentage of actors become film or television stars, there are many acting roles beyond movie Musical performers run the gambit from background singers and session musicians to rock stars, Broadway big names and world-famous opera singers.
Most performers do it for the love of the music, so you need to be prepared that gigs don’t necessarily pay well. However, you can make a decent living learning the ropes in a recording studio or writing jingles for radio and TV adverts. If you are lucky enough to get a song you wrote used in the media, you will earn royalties every time it is heard, eg whenever the advert plays.
DJs are sometimes performers and composers, but they may also just operate technology such as a laptop or set of decks to play music in a bar or at an event, such as weddings or family parties.
You can find opportunities with small labels, etc, through organisations such as Youth Music.
Composers are anyone who writes music and/or lyrics. This covers singer-songwriters, composers for film and TV shows, computer games and animations, and creators of stage musicals. Sound and recording technicians also fall under this category. Some composers are also singers, while others create instrumentals or background music. You could write jingles for adverts, create lift music or score a Hollywood movie. It all depends on talent, luck and circumstances.
Access Creative offers recording, DJ and other music-based apprenticeships.
Music is big business, and there are several roles you can take to ensure artists get booked, paid and promoted.
If you love music but do not have the ability or willingness to take centre stage, one of these roles may appeal.
Talent and booking agents ensure the best acts perform at the biggest venues. They manage their clients’ schedules and secure artists for gigs and events. They work alongside PR teams and event managers to promote their acts and ensure an excited audience. A & R (artists and repertoire) managers scout new talent to bring to a music label’s roster. They accomplish this by attending gigs and listening to demos that budding artists send them to try to find the next big thing. Once the artist is onboard, A&R managers also handle the recording process and promotions.
Organisations such as Sony Music and Music4Good offer music management apprenticeships.
Other Opportunities
There are many other careers with a musical lilt, including:
- Sound manager
- Music journalist
- Radio producer
- Music blogger
- Instrument technician
- Music teacher (either in an educational setting or private)
- Sound engineer
- Tour manager
- Music therapist
- Musical director
Conclusion
From vinyl records of The Beatles to live Oasis reunions and streams of Taylor Swift, music is an everchanging but timeless industry offering some fantastic opportunities. And a music-based apprenticeship could give you a foot in the door.
We hope this short guide has been helpful, but if you have any other questions, please, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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