Function bands
Soloists
Function bands
Soloists
Whether you're choosing a career in music performance, composition, teaching or production, the formal study of music is by no means a necessity – anyone with enough natural talent and perseverance can forge a successful career as a musician. But there's no doubt music colleges can broaden our range of skills and understanding of music, and help prepare young musicians for the journey ahead.
Traditionally, music colleges have been the preserve of jazz and classical musicians, but the last couple of decades have seen contemporary music schools flourish. Two of the most popular, The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA, co-founded by Paul McCartney) and the British & Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM) have produced chart mainstays such as The Kooks, Marina Diamandis of Maria And The Diamonds, Beth Rowley and Tom Odell in recent years.
We've asked all the musicians on our books where they studied – here are are the top 10.
With classical, jazz, pop, and production courses on offer in a musically vibrant city, it's no wonder we have so many LCM graduates thriving in the music industry. The outreach programme has enabled LCM bands to play at London's Jazz Café, 606 Club and Steinway Hall amongst others, and a varied and busy performance scene is buzzing in and around the College.
Function Central acts who studied at LCM include members of The Confidentials, Anna & The Cry Babies, The Flavours, Almost Blue, The Vogues, The 12th Street Singers, The All Time All-Stars, Nightboat to Skaville, Sammy & The Top Cats and Beat Club.
2. British & Irish Modern Music Institute
BIMM (incorporating Tech Music Schools), has bases in London, Manchester, Bristol, Brighton, Dublin and even Berlin. Renowned for its expert tutors and chart-topping alumni, BIMM's programmes span music journalism, production and songwriting, as well as performance.
BIMM gradautes have gone on to form Get Carter, The Hound Dogs, Millennium Bug, Empire Beats, The Breaks, Blue Arrows, Living For The City, Banzai, The Novembers, The Scarlets, The Ventures and Gypsy Street.
3. Academy of Contemporary Music
ACM in Guildford offers programmes in Music Performance for guitar, bass, drums, vocals and keyboard, as well as their Contemporary Songwriting & Artist Development Programme. Many of the tutors have lengthy rock and pop performance credits, and stars of the music world come to perform and give the students masterclasses.
Bands that came out of ACM include The Original Vintage Swing Band, Eskimo, Off The Record, Fevertree, Jump, Panama, Soul Circus, Blue Suede Shoes, The Runaways, Two Tone, The Hot Shots.
4. Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance
Situated by the Thames in the stunning Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, Trinity Laban has a dynamic and forward-thinking jazz faculty, as well as a strong classical department. Our Trinity Laban graduates are a rich mixture of classical, rock & pop, and world music (such as Brazilian and Klezmer).
Trinity Laban graduates include The Clemenza String Quartet, Hava Tequila!, Harmony Belles, Iris String Quartet, Tiger Feet, Fever, The Cool Cats, Brazil Connection and the Preis/Kalonaris Duo.
5. Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
Running through the core of all LIPA programmes is an emphasis on learning about the music industry and the practicalities and skills of being a working musician. Co-founded by Sir Paul McCartney, there is a definite focus on rock & pop band music here.
Graduates from LIPA have gone on to form acts such as The Electrics, Nightboat to Skaville, Superted, Natalie McCool, Juno, The Groove Addicts, Andrew James and The McCeilidhs.
6. Royal Northern College of Music
With a popular music performance course, as well as a renowned brass programme, the RNCM is a highly respected route for pop as well as classical musicians. Internationally renowned teachers and specialised teaching programmes contribute to the success of RNCM's alumni.
Function Central acts who studied at RNCM include Drum 'n' Brass, Four Strings, The Delta Flyers, The McCeilidhs, The Mustangs, The Essentials, The Repertoire Dogs, The Gypsy Pearls, The Saints, Nightboat to Skaville.
This 150-year-old institution in the heart of Birmingham offers jazz, composition and music technology courses, as well as a wealth of classical training, and is perfectly nestled in the heart of a thriving city music scene.
FC bands and musicians heralding from the Birmingham Conservatoire include Misty, Jitterbug Jazz, Bavarian Twist, Billy's Jazz Connection, The Delta Flyers, and Midnight Blue.
8. Guildhall School of Music & Drama
With a range of music specialisms on offer including jazz and electronic music, and ongoing opportunities for collaboration with the drama students, there is no doubt that GSMD is an exciting place to learn. A London conservatoire with a strong international reputation and some staggeringly talented graduates.
Students of GSMD have gone on to form various acts on our books, including The Connoisseurs String Quartet, Redmore String Quartet, The Viscounts, Swing City, The Jasmine Quintet and The Edelweiss All Stars.
The Royal Academy of Music is Britain's oldest music conservatoire, but is also a vibrant musical community. There is a busy regular recital series spanning all sorts of music, and the list of visiting professors is as extensive as it is exciting. Graduates are in good company, with alumni including Sir Elton John and Annie Lennox.
From RAM, we have The Lilac String Quartet, Hava Tequila!, The Redmore String Quartet and The Viscounts.
10. Institute of Contemporary Music Performance
London-based ICMP is an energetic educational environment with cutting edge facilities. A dedicated industry and careers service and countless performance and showcase opportunities help students prepare for industry life, and alumni include members of Foxes and Clean Bandit.
ICMP graduates booked regularly by Function Central include members of Party Up, Cloud Nine and Funky Lemon.
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