Explore Music as a Career
UK Music found that the UK music industry contributed £5.2 billion to the UK economy in 2018. There are countless ways you can play your part in this exciting and growing industry. Whether you’re getting qualifications to help you in the future, on an education course to learn new skills, or getting hands-on experience, you can get involved, meet new people, and get ready for the future.
Jump to a section
Want to get started with a career in music?
Check out these resources from UK Music:
There are two available on this page sorted by whether the reader is in Primary or Secondary school
DIY (Do It Yourself)
How can you build your creative identity and share your music with an audience?
This section provides ways you can get started ASAP…
Starting a Band
One way to build your music skills is to collaborate with other musicians by forming a band. But have you ever considered how to get started?
Click on the images to download them.
Occurs yearly
For ages 22 or under
Must include improvisation in your piece
Future Talent offers two programmes supporting gifted young musicians from low income backgrounds across the UK.
Development Programme for musicians aged 13-17 years old
Junior Programme for younger musicians at an earlier stage of musical development
to build confidence
develop personal skills
enhance your musical experience
Help Musicians (Develop Your Career)
For ages 18 and over
Multiple rounds in a year
18-25 year olds
Up to 30 year olds (if you identify as D/deaf or disabled)
Living in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
Grant of up to £2,500
Music Exams, including
Fundings, Grants and Qualifications
Promoting and Sharing Your Music
Who can you send music / where can you upload tracks?
Once you have made an account, including information such as your artist name, postcode and what kind of music you make, BBC Music Introducing allows you to upload your tracks to their platform. These tracks are then sent to BBC’s local radio shows and will be listened to by a team of local presenters and producers.
Through this, many emerging artists have had their music played on local radio stations and even major radio stations such as BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, 6 Music, Asian Network and World Service.
On Voice FM. The South Coast Music Show on Voice FM play new music from local artists every single week, from 4-6pm on a Sunday. You can send your tracks in on their website.
SoundCloud is a free streaming platform, used by artists and DJs to share their music and mixes.
Find useful guides on how you can create your own account and upload your music here.
Getting involved in your local music scene is a great way to meet people, make connections and get your music heard! Start small by contacting local venues that host events such as open mic nights, apply to play at small local festivals, find out what’s going on in your area and if there are any opportunities available to you.
Local Music Promoters/Venues
A station dedicated to showcasing the best music on-offer in the Portsmouth area. Local artists (singer-songwriters, groups, producers) can submit their music here.
The Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth provides insights and tips into navigating Portsmouth’s music scene. They offer information on support slots, local promoters and more.
Experiencing the Music of Others
Gigs, festivals, concerts, performances, DJ sets. Music videos, streaming, meta-verse. On TV, in movies, in games. To pick you up, to calm you down, for religious and spiritual practice.
Whatever form it takes, experiencing and enjoying the music other people make can play an exciting and important part of your musical life. You can enjoy familiar favourites and discover new music too. This guide will help you find local music performances and experiences to explore and enjoy.
We are all unique. We each have different backgrounds, experiences and interests. We are all at different ages and stages. Not all of the opportunities on this page will be for you, and that’s ok. Depending on how old you are, you might need to ask an adult to help you and/or come along with you.
Online and Streaming:
Here are some of the free places you can find and listen to music online. There will be loads more!
Why not use some of these sites to make playlists of music you find and enjoy? You could set up different playlists for different moods or moments: music to pick you up when you’re feeling down, music to help you focus, music to dance to, music to feel sad to, music to get your heart pumping… the possibilities are endless!
Jump to your area:
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Gig, concert and performance venues
Festivals
We’ll never have it all, visit Bournemouth.
Isle of Wight
Gig, concert and performance venues
Festivals
We’ll never have it all, visit Isle of Wight.
Southampton
Gig, concert and performance venues
Festivals
We’ll never have it all, visit Southampton.
Explore Opportunities By Age
Some resources are useful to anyone under 25. Such as:
The BASE - Portsmouth Guildhall’s space for 11 - 25 year olds. It hosts workshops (poetry, crafts, rap/hip hop, songwriting), one-to-one creative careers advice, free access to recording/rehearsal spaces and free music lessons.
However, other things can be restricted to certain age groups. This can be opportunities or resources. Because of this, we’ve organised some of these by age group below.
Jump to a section
Up to 11 Years Old
Young people interested in pursuing a career in music, might want to explore the following, age-appropriate information pack:
Those interested, can watch music professionals discuss their career:
11 - 16 Years Old
Young people interested in pursuing a career in music, might want to explore the following, age-appropriate information pack:
The following article explores careers in music, and might help you discover a variety of ways to get there:
Are you considering a further education in music?
This section provides examples of further education settings that hold music education courses, organised by area.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Isle of Wight
Rock School (11-16)
BTEC (L2)
BTEC (L3)
Portsmouth
Southampton
16 - 18 Years Old
Do you want a career in music but not sure what role you’d like?
This is a list of job profiles that might help
And this will provide you with an idea of what to expect from each career.
The Music Works is also a general space for getting started in a music career.
Looking for a more specific career in the music industry?
Routes into becoming a music teacher:
Tips on finding work in the music industry:
Tips on applying to an apprenticeship:
Tips on applying to university:
Are you considering a Higher Education in music?
University’s on the south coast, providing music education:
Surrounding areas:
Alternatively, search UCAS for music courses.
Over 18s
Whatever stage you’re at in your career, there’s a variety of useful resources available, such as Help Musicians.
Explore a variety of paid and unpaid opportunities for musicians here.
The Musicians Union can be a useful resource for career development, it includes:
The Guildhall in Portsmouth has a space for 11 - 25 year olds. It hosts workshops (poetry, crafts, rap/hip hop, songwriting), one-to-one careers advice, free access to recording/rehearsal spaces and free music lessons:
Alternatively, explore Open University Courses here.
Let us know what you think
This careers page is created for young people, so we’d love to know if we’re missing anything! Let us know what you think of the website below…