Doors open just through conversations here

Tell us a little bit about the programme.
On the programme, we've got a mixture of core modules and optional modules that range across the music department and the management school. It's been really enjoyable to learn more about aspects of management that I'd never studied before and aspects of music that I wasn't familiar with. Something I especially like about this course is the breadth of modules on offer. Alongside your core modules about the music industry, you also have the option to study things in the management school, like accounting and finance, which is honestly one of the most useful things you can know, especially in the music industry where you'll probably end up working for yourself at some point.

What inspired you to apply for the programme?
I started the programme a few years after I graduated. I studied music as an undergraduate, and after I graduated, the pandemic hit. I did bits of work experience in social media, fundraising and events, and I knew I really liked all of those things, but I hadn't seen anything that consolidated them all. When I saw the course described, I thought this would be a really good way to incorporate what I'd already learned and apply it with more insight into the industry I'd like to go into. So far, it's done exactly that. 

How is this programme helping you towards your future career?
Something I think strongly about careers for my generation is that it's increasingly likely you'll have a portfolio career. You won't go into a job at 21 and work in it for 40 years until you retire - you need a wide portfolio of skills. The course is really good for developing those, whether that's conducting yourself online, using technology efficiently, working with clients professionally, or even referencing, which is so useful when done properly because it translates into wider life. You can back yourself up effectively and converse on a much more fluent level. I feel equipped to be a better-rounded music professional with insight into various areas of the music industries.

What was it like being part of a music department?
I love being part of the music department. During my undergrad, I felt like I was a member of a cult and it was great! So it's been really nice to get back into that and have a community of like-minded people alongside people different enough that you can pull from each other's pools of expertise and create something much better than if you were surrounded by clones of yourself. The department has a really wide range of activities. It's not just a classical conservatoire, not just a performance college, and not solely based in academics. You've got a broad array of people with different interests who are usually excited and happy to collaborate.

Could you describe a project or assignment that you found particularly enjoyable?
One particular assignment I really enjoyed was on a module where we had to get into groups and act as consultants for an external client. We researched the company, wrote a paper, and created recommendations to solve a problem they'd come to us with. I'd never done anything like that before and wasn't really familiar with consultancy. The opportunity to work in a group, research both an organisation generally and a particular principle specifically, then merge those together to develop a solution based on that information was so useful. 

What's the music scene like in Sheffield?
Something I really love about Sheffield, which influences its music culture, is that it has a village mentality - everyone knows everyone. That sounds like it would be bad and cliquey, but Sheffield and northern cities, particularly Sheffield, have a real community mindset. People collaborate, are happy to talk to you, go for coffee or drinks, chat about their experiences. So many doors open from just having those conversations. It's genuinely not cliquey - it's a good opportunity to make friends and meet like-minded people. You've got everything in the Sheffield music scene - DIY, tech, bands, singer-songwriters, folk in pubs, stadiums - everything. There's such an exciting opportunity to get involved in literally any music scene you'd like.

What's your big takeaway from the Master's programme?
My overall takeaway from the Master's programme is that the music industry is not what I thought it was, and it's changing in a very unpredictable and constant way. That might sound daunting, but I think it's really exciting because whilst it's changing and you're at the learning stage, you're in a valuable position. By the time you go into the music industry, you'll have your own trajectory and that can help change the industry. So my overall takeaway is that your position at any point is really valuable as long as you're willing to learn - and if you're on the course, presumably you're willing to learn, so that's a massive strength. The whole scope is just really exciting, so I would definitely do it.