View by department or faculty
A violinist with dark hair with a concentrated look, on a multicoloured background

Royal College of Music’s Creative Careers Centre celebrates 25 years of support for RCM students and graduating musicians

Monday 21 October 2024

Renowned for its forward-thinking and holistic approach to developing the careers of young musicians, this year marks a quarter of a century of the Royal College of Music (RCM) Creative Careers Centre.

Each year over 500 Royal College of Music students and alumni benefit from the Creative Careers Centre’s professional work opportunities, alongside gaining one-to-one advice, guidance, referrals, resources and a broad spectrum of opportunities. The services of the Creative Careers Centre are available to RCM students for up to five years after graduation, supporting their long-term career development.

Among the thousands aided over the past 25 years is Dani Howard, RCM alumna and celebrated composer, who reflected on the impact of the Creative Careers Centre: ‘They were so supportive in offering work opportunities which formed a significant part of my portfolio career, including my first paid commission for the Royal Academy of Arts, leading to a BBC Radio 3 broadcast and a recording of the work. I am so grateful that the Royal College of Music has this vital department supporting the current and past students.’

Partnerships with leading organisations across various industries including the Royal Albert Hall, The National Gallery, Natural History Museum, London Fire Brigade and KYN Care Homes, provide performance, composition and other freelance work. In Spring 2024, RCM student Jack Ledger-Dowse was commissioned to compose for the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth in Parliament, a unique opportunity facilitated by the Centre’s relationship with the Speaker’s House, which he described as ‘a wonderful adventure which has led me to new discoveries about the possibilities of my own musical imagination.’

Since February 2023, Grammy Award-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre has been serving as the RCM’s Ambassador for Creative Careers, mentoring students and graduates in entrepreneurship, innovation and self-promotion. Inspiring industry professionals are regularly welcomed to the College to share their experiences, with recent guests including award-winning saxophonist and broadcaster, Yolanda Brown, editor of Opera Now and Choir and Organ, Hattie Butterworth, and organist and broadcaster, Anna Lapwood. 

Financial support is another core part of the Centre's offer with initiatives such as the RCM Musicians’ Grant Fund, offering financial help for the purchasing of musical instruments and equipment, and RCM Accelerate, providing start-up funding for a creative project. The Corelia Project, a database created by two RCM alumni which increases the visibility and searchability of music by women composers, is just one of many projects launched with this vital aid.

[gallery]

Established in 1999 originally as the Woodhouse Professional Development Centre, the work of the Creative Careers Centre has been a cornerstone for supporting the professional growth of thousands of RCM students and alumni. The RCM remains grateful to the late Paul Woodhouse and benefactor Peter Willan for the generous gift and support which enabled the department to begin its mission.

Diana Roberts, Head of Creative Careers Centre, comments: ‘As pioneers in our field, we are proud to have reached this significant landmark in the department’s history. When founded in September 1999, our mission was to support musicians in bridging the gap between student and professional life, while adapting to the parameters of an increasingly competitive and complex music industry. That mission remains, and we remain committed to nurturing the lifelong careers of RCM musicians.’

A series of 25 events planned throughout the 2024/25 academic year mark this milestone, including:

  • A new commission by alumnus Liam Dougherty, commissioned by the Orchestra de Chambre du Luxembourg and supported by RCM Accelerate.
  • The premiere of music by recent Composition for Screen graduate Ka Youn Yoo as part of an event celebrating the global impact of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • Professional performance opportunities for RCM musicians, such as the launch of the Science Museum’s Versailles Gallery and a series of recitals at the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room.
  • A series of seminars on health and wellbeing in a musician’s career, practical advice on finances as a freelance musician, and a discussion with IDAGIO, the world’s leading streaming service for classical music, exploring the career building opportunities on offer.

Discover more about the Royal College of Music Creative Careers Centre. 

Back to top