Introduction to Making for Music Directors

Introduction to Making for Music Directors

Young Vic in partnership with Black Lives in Music

This project has been created in response to the lack of diversity in the pool of Music Directors (MDs) currently working in the British theatre industry, and to the continued lack of opportunities offered to those that are currently capable and ready to work. This is the first project in an ongoing partnership between the Young Vic and Black Lives in Music, dedicated to supporting Black and Global Majority MDs through the Young Vic Creators Program.    

Introduction to Making for Music Directors is free to attend.

If you are interested to find out more about a career as a Music Director in theatre, come and join us at the Q&A outlined below, and learn more about the workshops planned for 2024.

Part One: Q&A panel event (29 November 2023 at the Young Vic)

Ask the questions and hear the answers – this is a unique opportunity to hear from a panel of experienced professional MDs who are Black or from the Global Majority. In this session, they will share their experiences and offer advice on following a career pathway in musical theatre as a Music Director.

The session will be chaired by Taio Lawson (Genesis Fellow/Associate Director, Young Vic) and Roger Wilson (Director of Operations, Black Lives in Music).

The event may be recorded or livestreamed for anyone who can’t attend in person.

Part Two: Intensive workshops (January to March 2024 at the Young Vic)

Join us for a series of workshops over three months for a small group of participants. The workshops will cover the history of music theatre, the Black and Global Majority influence on the genre, and the working relationships an MD has with key collaborators in the creative process.

Is this for me?

This project is aimed at professional musicians who:

• Are Black or in the Global Majority and no longer in full-time education
• Are keen to learn or develop skills in music directing – you do not have to have previous MD experience.
• Have good interpersonal and leadership skills
• Are proficient score readers
• Have an eye for detail
• Are able to remain calm under pressure and demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills

How can I join?

You can sign up for either or both parts of the project, which will take place at the Young Vic (66 The Cut, Waterloo, London SE1 8LZ).

If you would like to join the Q&A , please express your interest by filling in the short form linked at the top of this page. It asks you a little about your experience, what you would like to learn from the Q&A and asks for your contact details.

The deadline for expression of interest to attend the Q&A is Wednesday 15 November 2023. You will receive confirmation of your attendance by Monday 20 November 2023.

You can attend the Q&A first and then decide if you would like to apply to attend the intensive workshops scheduled for 2024. Expressions of interest for the intensives will open on 30 November 2023 and close on 11 December 2023. Successful applicants will be notified by 18 December 2023. 

About Black Lives in Music

Black Lives in Music (BLiM), founded in October 2020, is a Black-led national organisation at the vanguard of efforts to address racial inequity in the UK Jazz and Classical music sectors. Our vision is for an inclusive music community & industry free of racism, prejudice and discrimination, where everyone can feel confident that they belong. BLiM is made up of 90+ member organisations located across the UK who are all working towards the same goal: to dismantle structural racism in our industry. 

We use our data and insight to campaign for equity and support the empowerment of Black musicians and professionals to realise their aspirations. We work with organisations, ensembles and companies throughout the UK music industry, opening dialogues and building relationships in the true spirit of working together. We collaborate with all agents of the UK music industry by using our ‘critical friend’ model of working to achieve equality for people of the global majority.