Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire join forces yearly to offer a unique training programme for music students and professional musicians looking for a career as performers of contemporary music. Please see below for details and email next@bcmg.org.uk if you require any further information.

NEXT offers early career musicians an unprecedented opportunity to become successful contemporary music performers. In a year of intensive training, NEXT Musicians will learn to perform some of the most inspiring and challenging works written in the last 70 years. You will receive coaching and one-to-one teaching sessions from BCMG players and world-famous soloists. Musicians will have many opportunities to perform, including side-by-side concerts with BCMG, and will work directly with the world’s leading composers on the interpretation of their music.

Classes in contemporary music history and analysis, instrumental techniques and digital technologies will complement studies, while regular lectures from artistic directors, publishers and other invited guests from the music industry will equip musicians with the necessary skills to present and promote new music to different audiences.

NEXT Musicians will gain precious insights on how to run a contemporary music organisation from project/concert management to fundraising and marketing, and will have the opportunity to take part in BCMG’s Learning Programme and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s community-based activities, thus developing another essential aspect of being a professional musician today.

What to expect

Work alongside world-famous composers and performers
Meet key people on the international contemporary music scene
Perform side-by-side with BCMG musicians in high-profile concerts
Build your own ensemble and present concerts with fellow participants
What you will gain

In-depth knowledge of contemporary music from the second half of the 20th century to the present day, including its aesthetics and techniques;
Confidence in programming, promoting and presenting new music to the public;
Core skills for a successful professional career in contemporary music performance.
A joint official certificate from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and BCMG.