With the UK music industry offering more music careers than ever before, there’s arguably never been a better time to start your journey into the industry.
How so? Well, UK Music’s annual Measuring the Music report showed that 142,208 full time jobs were provided in the sector in 2016, 19 percent more than the previous year.
The study found that the vast majority of these jobs are in its creative heart - composing, creating, recording and shaping the future of music.
So whether it be as a vocalist, music producer, music business entrepreneur, bassist, guitar player, drummer or songwriter, ICMP music courses directly support talent to develop the skills required by these creative roles.
But why choose to launch your music career with ICMP London? We might be biased but you can read our top ten list here:
1. Perfect your skills using the latest music equipment
At ICMP music school, we pride ourselves on offering our students the latest music and studio equipment to learn on. Our partnerships with market leading manufacturers including Shure, Korg and Orange means our students have access to the best in industry gear and students can use these music facilities for personal practice free of charge outside of time tabled hours. Plus if you have a gig off campus, then you can also hire out equipment and backline.
2. Get taught by some of the best in the business
ICMP is London's leading music industry education provider and outside the classroom, many of our tutors are active music industry practitioners working at the top of their game. From touring with Jamiroquai to writing with JP Cooper, you may end up learning from many of contemporary music’s best talents. Our faculty currently includes superstar drummer Gabor Dornyei , One Direction’s music director Jon Shone and acclaimed composer and arranger Audrey Riley.
Find out more about our teaching faculty.
3. London location
It’s hard to deny that London is the epicentre of the music industry. From radio pluggers to labels, to the best gig venues and live music nights, the capital has it all when it comes to opportunities allowing you to perfect your skills. Recent research from data shared with IQ by Songkick showed that there were 19,940 total live music events in London in 2016, making it the live music capital of the world.
ICMP’s Kilburn location means you’re ideally placed to take advantage of these opportunities while simultaneously expanding and developing your networks.
4. Masterclass guests
While many of our tutors are acclaimed musicians and artists, we also see music industry legends passing through, coming to talk to our student body via our enviable array of masterclass sessions.
Our recent guests include David Bowie drummer Mark Guiliana, guitar virtuoso Guthrie Govan and The Voice vocals expert and coach, Juliet Russell.
5. Music Industry connections
ICMP music college will help facilitate your journey from classroom to industry via its dedicated careers service, The Hub. Staffed by industry liaison executives, the team focus on artist development, helping you discover your sonic identity and formulating release plans. They also tip off students regarding the latest music industry opportunities, bring in music industry experts into the classroom and generally give you some great insight and advice on how to advance your career.
6. Industry success stories
We pride ourselves that many of UK music’s biggest success stories have learned their trade at ICMP. From One Direction bassist Sandy Beales (who studied with us when we were Bass Tech) to indie rockers Daughter and Clean Bandit’s Luke Patterson, we’ve helped some of the best get even better.
Photograph by Justin Higuchi • CC-BY-2.0
View our student success stories
7. Wellbeing team
Looking after yourself is essential to making sure you make the most of any opportunities and this is where our dedicated Wellbeing team comes in. They offer practical advice and guidance around general well-being and performance while studying. Counseling services are also included as well as support accessing the Disabled Students Allowances (DSA) while Alexander Technique classes are also available.
Find out more about our Wellbeing team
8. Meet your future collaborators
Starting your academic journey with us means entering a pool of great musical talent here at ICMP. You’ll not only feel part of a thriving, vibrant musical community but will have countless opportunities to network and build relationships with creative, like-minded musicians.
Sasha, a songwriting degree graduate, connected with music producer Scott Colcombe while at ICMP and it’s a partnership that’s worked well for the pair.
Read our interview with the duo on the secret of a great collaboration.
9. Tileyard Studios connection
While our Hub team can introduce you to key contacts and opportunities, we also bring you closer to the music industry contact via our connections with Tileyard. This music industry centre is the largest professional music community in the UK, with more than 70 state of the art music studios and 100 businesses. Students are regularly invited to London's key music networking event, which ICMP sponsors.
10. High contact hours
We pride ourselves on delivering a personalised learning experience for our students and strive to ensure class sizes are kept to small groups so you get the best from our tutors.
As a student at ICMP, class sizes are usually capped at 15 and you have access to practice spaces while not studying in the classroom.
Learn more about our personalised approach to learning
ICMP is London's leading music industry education provider
Discover your place in the music industry here at ICMP.
Our Admissions Team are on hand to help you, call them on 020 7328 0222 or email enquiries@icmp.ac.uk.