Alternative Classical
@alterclassical.bsky.social
Pioneering positive change in the classical music industry.
Jobs round-up:
- Artistic consultant for lunchtime concert series
- Director of music at London church
- Chief executive of Scottish music collective
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
- Artistic consultant for lunchtime concert series
- Director of music at London church
- Chief executive of Scottish music collective
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
February 4, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Jobs round-up:
- Artistic consultant for lunchtime concert series
- Director of music at London church
- Chief executive of Scottish music collective
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
- Artistic consultant for lunchtime concert series
- Director of music at London church
- Chief executive of Scottish music collective
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
"It’s always a mistake for commissioners to interfere too much. They have to just leave it up to the composer to write whatever is there, and shouldn’t be too prescriptive."
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/interviews/j...
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/interviews/j...
Interview: Sir James MacMillan CBE — Alternative Classical
A conversation about the pressure of creating new works, elitism and the class divide in classical music, and the TV he’s been watching during lockdown.
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 10:01 AM
"It’s always a mistake for commissioners to interfere too much. They have to just leave it up to the composer to write whatever is there, and shouldn’t be too prescriptive."
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/interviews/j...
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/interviews/j...
Experience a deep dive into the cutting edge of Iceland’s mesmerising musical landscape in a full day of music, film and talks:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
February 2, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Experience a deep dive into the cutting edge of Iceland’s mesmerising musical landscape in a full day of music, film and talks:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
Composing opportunities:
- Free composing scheme for under 18s at state schools
- Submit an original setting of the Agnus Dei
- Competition for composers aged 16-25 to compose a 5 minute piece
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
- Free composing scheme for under 18s at state schools
- Submit an original setting of the Agnus Dei
- Competition for composers aged 16-25 to compose a 5 minute piece
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
February 2, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Composing opportunities:
- Free composing scheme for under 18s at state schools
- Submit an original setting of the Agnus Dei
- Competition for composers aged 16-25 to compose a 5 minute piece
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
- Free composing scheme for under 18s at state schools
- Submit an original setting of the Agnus Dei
- Competition for composers aged 16-25 to compose a 5 minute piece
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
Tangram are flipping the script with an evening of comedy and new music.
The spirit of it? Punching back at Orientalism in Western classical music.
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
#ad
The spirit of it? Punching back at Orientalism in Western classical music.
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
#ad
February 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Tangram are flipping the script with an evening of comedy and new music.
The spirit of it? Punching back at Orientalism in Western classical music.
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
#ad
The spirit of it? Punching back at Orientalism in Western classical music.
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
#ad
Reading Essentials for Aspiring Composers (covering topics such as orchestration, notation, productivity, anxiety, and overcoming self-doubt):
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/rea...
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/rea...
January 31, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Reading Essentials for Aspiring Composers (covering topics such as orchestration, notation, productivity, anxiety, and overcoming self-doubt):
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/rea...
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/rea...
What exciting/positive ways could AI be used within the classical music world?
January 31, 2026 at 1:03 PM
What exciting/positive ways could AI be used within the classical music world?
Shout-out to the freelancers who are still doing everything apart from their taxes 👋🏻
January 30, 2026 at 8:24 AM
Shout-out to the freelancers who are still doing everything apart from their taxes 👋🏻
"I’ve always challenged the notion that classical players can’t play folk, or folk musicians can’t play classical."
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
Know the score? I don’t read music, but that’s no hindrance to reimagining great classical works
Folk duo Pound & Stevens have transformed, and added to, Holst’s The Planets Suite and tour the new work this week with Britten Sinfonia. Will Pound explains why playing by ear is his greatest strengt...
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:31 PM
"I’ve always challenged the notion that classical players can’t play folk, or folk musicians can’t play classical."
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
Violinist Pekka Kuusisto and musicians of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra bring their new album ‘Willows’ to the stage @kingsplacelondon.bsky.social next month:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
January 27, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Violinist Pekka Kuusisto and musicians of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra bring their new album ‘Willows’ to the stage @kingsplacelondon.bsky.social next month:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
Concerts & events with discounted tickets for students:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
January 26, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Concerts & events with discounted tickets for students:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
Shout-out to all the freelancers who've left it to this week to do their tax return ✌️
January 25, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Shout-out to all the freelancers who've left it to this week to do their tax return ✌️
"It's true to say that, if I'm listening to a piece of Bach, I probably get more from it than I would if I didn't know harmony and counterpoint.
But that doesn't mean that someone who doesn't know those things should be shut out."
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/interviews/m...
But that doesn't mean that someone who doesn't know those things should be shut out."
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/interviews/m...
Interview: Max Richter CBE — Alternative Classical
A conversation about classical music gatekeeping, coping with the distractions of the online world, and his favourite weekend breakfast.
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk
January 24, 2026 at 6:00 AM
"It's true to say that, if I'm listening to a piece of Bach, I probably get more from it than I would if I didn't know harmony and counterpoint.
But that doesn't mean that someone who doesn't know those things should be shut out."
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/interviews/m...
But that doesn't mean that someone who doesn't know those things should be shut out."
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/interviews/m...
January 23, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Your suggestions for how the classical music hiring process could be improved:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/how...
What would you add to the list?
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/how...
What would you add to the list?
January 22, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Your suggestions for how the classical music hiring process could be improved:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/how...
What would you add to the list?
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/how...
What would you add to the list?
Composers: looking for calls for scores, funding & bursaries?
Find all of that, along with interviews & world premieres on our new Composers' Hub:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/composers-hub
Find all of that, along with interviews & world premieres on our new Composers' Hub:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/composers-hub
January 21, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Composers: looking for calls for scores, funding & bursaries?
Find all of that, along with interviews & world premieres on our new Composers' Hub:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/composers-hub
Find all of that, along with interviews & world premieres on our new Composers' Hub:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/composers-hub
Sign up to our mailing list for jobs, alternative concert recommendations & industry news www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/newsletter
Newsletter — Alternative Classical
Receive concert recommendations, music jobs and opportunities, and news of innovation in the classical music sector.
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Sign up to our mailing list for jobs, alternative concert recommendations & industry news www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/newsletter
Jobs in classical music and opera:
- Head of producing & participation at opera company
- Impact and evaluation manager at music college
- Young artists’ programme for 18-23 year old ensemble singers
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
- Head of producing & participation at opera company
- Impact and evaluation manager at music college
- Young artists’ programme for 18-23 year old ensemble singers
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
January 19, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Jobs in classical music and opera:
- Head of producing & participation at opera company
- Impact and evaluation manager at music college
- Young artists’ programme for 18-23 year old ensemble singers
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
- Head of producing & participation at opera company
- Impact and evaluation manager at music college
- Young artists’ programme for 18-23 year old ensemble singers
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
"I wish there were equal emphasis on those who achieve through performance and those who have achieved through using music in other ways." 👏 www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
I’ve just read a newsletter celebrating a major achievement by someone who trained as a classical musician. The recognition is absolutely deserved, their impact on inclusivity and access in music has… | Michelle Robinson | 10 comments
I’ve just read a newsletter celebrating a major achievement by someone who trained as a classical musician. The recognition is absolutely deserved, their impact on inclusivity and access in music has...
www.linkedin.com
January 18, 2026 at 3:02 PM
"I wish there were equal emphasis on those who achieve through performance and those who have achieved through using music in other ways." 👏 www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
"This is amazing thank you for compiling this 👌👌 it must've taken so much work"
ARTS FUNDING POTS OPEN NOW
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/classical-mu...
ARTS FUNDING POTS OPEN NOW
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/classical-mu...
January 17, 2026 at 1:00 PM
"This is amazing thank you for compiling this 👌👌 it must've taken so much work"
ARTS FUNDING POTS OPEN NOW
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/classical-mu...
ARTS FUNDING POTS OPEN NOW
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/classical-mu...
"There was at least a week where I actually hated music. This thing that I love had basically caused me to want to die, because I was so obsessed with doing it."
bachtrack.com/interview-be...
bachtrack.com/interview-be...
bachtrack.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:01 PM
"There was at least a week where I actually hated music. This thing that I love had basically caused me to want to die, because I was so obsessed with doing it."
bachtrack.com/interview-be...
bachtrack.com/interview-be...
What's on in the coming months? Find our event & concert recommendations here:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
January 15, 2026 at 8:01 PM
What's on in the coming months? Find our event & concert recommendations here:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...
Less than 44% of new graduates at a leading music conservatoire attended state schools
(Source quoted here: www.londonmozartplayers.com/sct-prize/)
(Source quoted here: www.londonmozartplayers.com/sct-prize/)
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Prize – London Mozart Players
The Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Prize was created to support young composers from underrepresented backgrounds, as part of our commitment to enable more young people to embark on a career within…
www.londonmozartplayers.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Less than 44% of new graduates at a leading music conservatoire attended state schools
(Source quoted here: www.londonmozartplayers.com/sct-prize/)
(Source quoted here: www.londonmozartplayers.com/sct-prize/)
16 composing opportunities, including a residency programme, a call for scores, and an award for young composers:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
January 13, 2026 at 4:02 PM
16 composing opportunities, including a residency programme, a call for scores, and an award for young composers:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
How would you improve the way that classical music organisations go about the recruitment process?
Your responses:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/how...
Your responses:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/how...
January 12, 2026 at 12:01 PM
How would you improve the way that classical music organisations go about the recruitment process?
Your responses:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/how...
Your responses:
www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/how...