GUILDHALL SCHOOL

GUILDHALL SCHOOL

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During my time here, I organised an international conference based around my subject involving delegates from 4 continents

Emily Baines
DMus, ‘Mechanical Musical Instruments as a Source for Historical Performance’

Emily Baines

The teaching staff encourage the diversity that Guildhall is known for…there is something for everyone, regardless of style and influence

Oliver Leith
MMus Composition

Oliver Leith

The research community at Guildhall is a really interesting place to be

Stefania Donini
PhD

Stefania Donini

I found it very beneficial to take a break from a busy teaching career to think and reflect on my teaching value, principle and strategies

Yushan Li
PGCert Performance Teaching

Yushan Li

Studying at Guildhall is really cool because you are in a setting where the arts are valued by an entire community

Natasha Mbwana
BA Performance & Creative Enterprise

Natasha Mbwana

The projects we work on are real - we are in effect constantly getting work experience

Laurie Lumley
BA Video Design for Live Performance

Laurie Lumley

Guildhall is an institution that knows it has to be connected to the outside world - that's the key thing. It's not a bubble. It has roots in the city and in the world.

Jonathan Ferrucci
Artist Diploma Piano

Jonathan Ferrucci

One minute you could be playing in the Guildhall Studio Orchestra with jazz musicians, the next you could be playing in the opera pit, then the next minute you'll be with actors doing the musical and then playing a symphony in the orchestra.

Millie Ashton
BMus Violin

Millie Ashton

I had access to people I would never have been able to meet as a young composer starting out.

Na'ama Zisser
Doctoral Composer in Residence

Na'ama Zisser

Home > About the School > About us > Employability statement

Employability statement

The Guildhall School is one of the world’s leading conservatoires, providing a professional experience in a state of the art environment. Guildhall students are offered comprehensive employability support throughout their training and beyond, to gain the experience and skills required to establish and sustain a career in the arts.

At the Guildhall School we pride ourselves on the employability of our graduates. Students at Guildhall not only receive a high standard of teaching but have numerous opportunities to work on performances and develop practical experience in their respective creative fields. From this extensive ‘hands-on’ experience our graduates are fully equipped to embark on a career, and they have gained an excellent reputation for being versatile, creative and professional in their industries.

This page covers the following areas. Click the links below to jump to a section.

“When I was nearing the end of my training at Guildhall I didn't just feel 'ready' for the profession; I was desperate for it! I think that is the sign of a great training. It is a training that pushes you to re-discover yourself as an artist…It gives you autonomy. I have been working in the profession for over four years now, and each time a challenge presents itself, whether it be in a rehearsal room, on stage, on set or in life, I always go back to my training. I always go back to Guildhall.”
Brodie Ross, 2009 BA Acting

“The alumni of Guildhall that I have had the pleasure of working with are professional, well-trained actors who demonstrate great commitment, impressive research and team spirit. They are camera-savvy, technically astute and, in my experience, are actors with a considerable range who take direction well…I know that if we cast a Guildhall-trained actor, we will be guaranteed a valuable cast member and highly satisfactory results.”
Liz Trubridge, Executive Producer, Downton Abbey

The Guildhall School was the starting point for many successful and renowned artists and technicians. Discover more about the careers of our community of graduates on our alumni pages.

Developing employability

Our programmes are carefully designed to give students the chance to experience the life of a professional performing artist with opportunities to work alongside experienced professionals, and to perform in state-of-the-art venues.

As well as delivering lessons and practical experience, every department in the School holds regular sessions for students to prepare them for professional life. These include sessions on how to work as a freelance artist, how to prepare for audition, and how to create a professional portfolio. The Production Arts, Acting and Music pages of our website have more information about how each programme can help you prepare for a career in the arts.

“Guildhall had a crucial role in my success. The intense and very high-quality orchestral projects that the School provides to students and the masterclasses in orchestral playing prepared me for what professional life is about. I don’t think it could have been better.”
Joao Seara, 2012 BMus Double Bass

A key part of the Guildhall’s School employability strategy is to give students the chance to meet and work with professionals in their respective industry. Upon leaving Guildhall, graduates have an established network of contacts which are vital for securing jobs and developing professional relationships. Learning from professionals allows students to become established in their industry quickly and successfully. Additionally, external professional artists regularly review our programmes to ensure the advice and opportunities offered are up-to-date and relevant.

“In addition to being talented, it is obvious that Ms. H’s Guildhall education prepared her to work with both young developing talent as well as experienced artists at the peak of their craft.”
Janine Pearson, Head of Voice and Coaching, Stratford Festival Theatre, Ontario, Canada

“Guildhall provided me with great opportunities both inside and outside the course. The course helped me to develop contacts round the globe and with some of the largest companies within my industry; these have been invaluable since leaving.”
James Adkins, 2013 Theatre Technology

Students have access to state-of-the-art performance and teaching facilities, and as a result, our graduates have the confidence to quickly adapt to professional facilities and projects when launching their career.

“There once was a time when I thought drama schools taught students about theatre in such a general format that it wasn’t until they started work that the real training began. But Guildhall is producing talented individuals that have trained with equipment most regional reps can only dream of.”
Johanna Town, Lighting Designer

Support outside of your course

As well as being invited to career development and employability sessions by your department, the Student Affairs Department offers a programme of cross-School employability support to students and recent graduates. Events focus on personal and professional development, with seminars and workshops on topics such as setting up a creative enterprise, applying for funding, establishing an international career, and marketing and self-promotion.

“Each session offers honest advice about the employability opportunities available to us all. The subjects explored offer the perfect introduction to applying your unique skills to the ever-changing arts industry. The sessions are relevant at every stage of your career.”
Jane Salmon, 2015 BMus Wind, Brass and Percussion

Student Affairs also offers guidance to students who are looking for work during their studies via information sessions on tax and self-employment and individual advice appointments on CVs, cover letters and job applications.

Work and volunteer opportunities

Extra-curricular activities and part-time employment allow you to develop transferable skills and gain a valuable range of experience. All students can sign up to receive details of external job opportunities via a mailing list managed by Student Affairs.

There are also opportunities for students to work and volunteer within the School during their studies.

Whilst studying you could:

Undertake paid performance work - Eligible music students are offered performance work via the School’s Outside Engagement Service.
Teach at one of our Summer Schools - Skilled students and graduates have the opportunity to work alongside distinguished School professors and tutors in the delivery of the School’s short courses, which are aimed at both children and adults.
Work at Junior Guildhall - Our Saturday school employs three to five undergraduates on a casual basis during term time. There are additional opportunities to assist with the department’s administration.
Work with our Marketing and Communications Department - If you are enthusiastic about your student experience then the Marketing department may have opportunities for you to promote the School at events such as UCAS fairs to give younger performers and technicians an insight into the benefits of a Guildhall training.
Work part-time at the School - Opportunities include stewarding for the Facilities Department, acting as a student reviewer for (re)validations, assisting with open days and auditions, working in the Library, and in the SU Bar.
Volunteer on a Widening Participation Project - This could involve talking to a small group of school leavers about your experiences of being a student at Guildhall, giving a school group a tour of the School or even demonstrating your musical prowess to a youth orchestra.
Volunteer with Creative Learning - The Creative Learning Department works with young people, local community groups and charities that serve vulnerable people often in cross-arts and multi-media projects.
Become active in the Students’ Union - By becoming a student representative or getting elected to the Executive Committee you could develop a broad range of valuable skills, such as financial record keeping, policy writing, developing student welfare initiatives and events management.#

Transferable skills

Understanding and identifying the transferable skills acquired during the training offered by the School allows many graduates to seek opportunities in a diverse range of sectors. Our in-course careers support and the wealth of extra-curricular activities provide students with skills that are valued in a wide range of sectors, these skills include: motivation, initiative, team work, stage presence, interpersonal and communication skills, flexibility, reflection and self-evaluation.

Many of the School’s graduates have gone on to succeed in a number of different careers such as the civil service, journalism, teaching, banking, and graduate schemes, and many have started their own businesses or creative enterprises.

“I did a degree in Classical Singing, and spent a year as President of the Students’ Union. Since leaving the School I've worked at a creative agency, architectural interior design studio, and currently I'm at a tech start-up. I'm a Project Manager coordinating new website builds for charities which need, among others, the core skills of communication, collaboration, time management and leadership that you develop as a musician. On top of any skills you develop at the Guildhall School, the work ethic that you develop ensures you’ll do well whatever you do next.”
Daisy Evans, Voice 2013
Now: Project Manager, tech start-up

Entrepreneurship: opportunities for students and graduates

Guildhall students are actively encouraged to develop creative ideas and entrepreneurial skills.

One recent project is the Wind Up Penguin Theatre Company established by a group of music, acting and technical theatre students to bring music and drama to underprivileged children in orphanages, school and hospitals. Starting as a student project and now a charity with projects in five countries, Wind Up Penguin is a fantastic example of what students working together can do.

Entrepreneurial students can also take part in the Deutsche Bank Award for Creative Enterprises which is open to students from 200 universities, conservatoires and art colleges across the UK. Winners of the award receive top-class business advice and £10,000 in start-up capital while an additional 300 students receive entrepreneurial training. This support has helped previous Guildhall students to launch Mosaic Music Publishing (educational music and resources for use in whole-class instrumental tuition); Get Lifted (a showcase for unsigned artists); and Invertigo (a theatre company and production house representing new writing). In 2015, Vincent Bruggeman (BMus 4, vocal) won an award with Lyribox.com, which provides tools for classical singers.

New and recent graduates with an idea for a business or creative enterprise can take part in the Guildhall Creative Entrepreneurs Scheme, a 12-month project that provides advice and support for business planning, funding, marketing, and sales.

Employability support for graduates

The Guildhall School has a strong community of alumni who are supported by the School though receiving career-related advice and notification of opportunities.

All alumni are encouraged to join the Guildhall School of Music & Drama Alumni LinkedIn group which has a jobs discussion board and regular job posts. There are also schemes within Acting and Technical Theatre in which job opportunities are circulated.