Alternative Classical

Interview: Jules Buckley — Alternative Classical A conversation about resistance to innovation in the classical music sector and being the underdog.

"We as listeners and concert-goers are always searching for different things. No-one owns this music, no-one owns this music experience." www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/interviews/j...

Looking for something to go to this week? There's a listening party, a classical music stand-up routine, and a musical wine tasting.

www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...

Alternative concerts & events with discounted tickets for under 35s

www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...

Breaking the silence: Misogyny in the opera industry - Opera Now Katie Mitchell’s decision to step away from opera following decades of sexism has ignited a wider reckoning with misogyny and the abuse of power in the opera industry. We talk to various industry figu...

"Sexism in opera is rooted in both the stories told on stage...and a deeply hierarchical culture, where abuse and discrimination sometimes masquerade as tradition."
www.opera-now.com/content/feat...

Love this!

A requiem for arts coverage I used to say I wished that newspapers would treat their arts sections the way they treated their sports sections. What I meant was that sports sections offered a balanced mix of news stories, feature...

The Washington Post has only a single arts critic left - everyone else got fired today, along with all three arts editors. (There are still a couple of excellent arts reporters.) I was so upset I dusted off my blog to have my say: annemidgette.com/blog/f/a-req...

Our Composers' Hub brings together a list of awards, competitions, bursaries and composing schemes for composers based in the UK.

Free to access!

www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/composers-hub

Are you organising an 'alternative' classical concert? You can submit it to our listings using this form:

forms.gle/ED34NtBpm7dK...

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

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.

"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...

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...

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

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

Thank you!

Reading Essentials for Aspiring Composers (covering topics such as orchestration, notation, productivity, anxiety, and overcoming self-doubt):

www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/features/rea...

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 👋🏻

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...

"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...

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...

Concerts & events with discounted tickets for students:

www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...

Shout-out to all the freelancers who've left it to this week to do their tax return ✌️

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.

"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...

Free & pay what you can events, courses and concerts:

www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/concerts-cal...

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?

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

Newsletter — Alternative Classical Receive concert recommendations, music jobs and opportunities, and news of innovation in the classical music sector.

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

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...

"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...

"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...