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Access to Music
September means back to school, and an influx of new students for Access to Music’s (ATM) further and higher education courses. Since 1992, ATM have been providing music training to thousands of musicians across the country, and boast patrons Sir George Martin CBE, Nitin Sawhney and Jools Holland.

As the UK’s only dedicated national provider and designer of popular music training, ATM is in a unique position. With courses in Production Skills, DJing, Composition, Performance and masses more besides, it attracts an annual student body of over 2,000 musicians.

Undoubtedly, part of the attraction is that ATM designs it’s own qualifications. Accredited by Rockschool, approved by the Qualifications Curriculum Authority, and listed by the Learning and Skills Council, the qualifications are designed and taught by staff, many of whom still work in the music industry as (among other things) musicians, DJs and promoters.  The main benefit of this is that ATM can create industry-relevant qualifications that prepare students for a vocation in the music industry.

This vocational focus is clearly bridging a gap between more traditional music education and a career in the music industry, and has proved popular with many. As ATM’s Martin Smith commented: ‘We have a high proportion of applicants with little or no previous academic success. All our level 1-3 courses can be accessed without GCSE requirements.’ Impressive stuff when you look at the website and see that previous students have gone on to careers such stadium events manager, music journalist and BBC radio archivist. Not to mention alumni including Duke Special, James Morrison and Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly. 

Recent developments have seen Access to Music expanding its HE provision with an industry-focussed Artist Development Programme and two foundation degrees, one with the Royal Northern College of Music and the other with Westminster University.

So, what would be ATM’s Martin Smith’s advice to anyone thinking of getting into the music industry? ‘Take an Access to Music course to develop your musical skills and your understanding of today’s fast changing music industry.’

Access to Music has music centres across England, from Brighton in the South to York in the North. It also works in close partnership with numerous FE colleges and other organisations.

To find out more check out www.accesstomusic.co.uk and www.myspace.com/accesstomusic or freephone 0800 28 18 42

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