Pathways
A programme of training schemes and opportunities which support early career musicians, producers and workshop leaders.
Schemes, opportunities and events
Our Trainee Music Leader scheme is a unique opportunity for a musician to develop their workshop leadership skills in the context of our learning and participation events and projects, working with a diverse range of groups and settings through a paid, bespoke music career development programme.
Meet our 2024/25 Trainee Music Leader, Ella Beard
Former Trainee Music Leaders Lucy Drever and Luke Newby talk about their experience of the scheme, and why they love being workshop leaders:
The Chamber Tots: Early Years Training and Development Scheme is a unique opportunity for musicians or ensembles who are keen to develop their skills and experience as supporting musicians in early years practice (with children aged 1-5). Trainee Support Musicians will be supported throughout the scheme by the leaders, mentors, and the Learning programme team. There is also chance to take part in other training sessions and opportunities as part of our wider Pathways programme.
Every year, we recruit Trainee Support Musicians to take part in our Chamber Tots programme.
Chamber Tots has been one of the most special experiences I have had to date. It has taught me the true meaning of child-led music-making and the importance of listening and responding. This scheme provided me with the space to think outside the box, to trust myself and to be fully present in a room full of people. The team at Chamber Tots were always there to listen, offer advice and nurture and encourage our musical ideas. I had so much fun exploring new repertoire, embracing the spontaneity of improvisation and connecting with like-minded musicians
Former Trainee Support Musician
The Music for Life Training & Development Scheme is a unique opportunity for musicians and vocalists who are keen to develop their skills and experience in supporting creative music sessions with people living with dementia, their families, and carers.
Trainees are supported throughout by leaders and mentors and have the chance to take part in other training sessions as part of Wigmore Hall Learning’s wider Pathways programme.
It's hard to put into words what an amazing experience it's been getting involved with the Singing with Friends choir. There have been moments in each and every session that will stay with me for a long time. I've felt supported by everyone involved to share songs in a way that felt intuitive and playful – the best way to learn.
Current Music for Life Trainee
There will be no Music for Life Training & Development roles available during 25/26. Future opportunities will be listed on this page.
In partnership with the Royal Academy of Music
The Open Academy / Wigmore Hall Learning Fellowship is an annual scheme offered to a chamber ensemble whose members are no longer full-time students, and whose membership consists of a majority of Royal Academy of Music alumni.
This bespoke programme includes mentoring, training days and practical experience across the Open Academy and Wigmore Hall Learning programmes, which is tailored to the interests and development needs of the ensemble, and which gives them the understanding, skills and experience to cultivate work in the field of participatory music making.
Since taking part, ensembles and their members have gone on to perform and take part in programmes across the sector, including with Wigmore Hall and Royal Academy of Music.
What an experience! Having the opportunity to be a core part of the process of creating a Family Day from start to finish was brand new for us. It was incredibly rewarding to co-design and co-lead a project … and we learnt a lot from it. We now feel confident to repeat this process in the future … We have developed our skills in improvising, leading workshops, creating new music with participants and reacting spontaneously and sensitively to whatever may be going on around the room!
Cavendish Winds
In partnership with the RPS
The Rosie Johnson Wigmore Hall Learning Composer (formerly Apprentice Composer) scheme provides a composer in the early stages of their professional career a range of opportunities to support their development, including: mentoring from a professional composer; a commission for a new work, to be performed in concert at Wigmore Hall; opportunities to take part in training sessions alongside other Pathways trainees, exploring participatory music practice led by experienced musicians and workshop leaders; and music career development opportunities to take part in and observe Wigmore Hall Learning workshops and events.
Recruitment and selection for this role takes place as part of the RPS Composers Programme. For more information visit the RPS website.
Wigmore Sessions offer a platform for early career musicians, and are informal, intimate performances in the Bechstein Bar, which is specially dressed for the occasion.
