Sian Edwards coaching on the Glover-Edwards Conducting Programme

Further conducting opportunities

Owing to limited funds, our RPS Conductors courses are only occasional, and we generally receive far more applications than we have places available. We want to be as helpful to as many conductors as we can, and are pleased to signpost opportunities elsewhere.

We aim to keep this list as up-to-date and useful as possible. Should you come across any opportunities or funds for conductors based in the UK that are not listed on this page, please get in touch and we'll be happy to add them. Each of the UK music colleges / conservatoires offer formal courses and qualifications in conducting, and you should look at their websites for more information about those.

Development opportunities

  • Association of British Choral Directors - Vacancies
    A webpage detailing choral conducting vacancies in the UK.
  • London Philharmonic Orchestra - Conducting Fellowship
    An opportunity for early-career conductors to gain artistic and professional development experience.
  • Making Music - Vacancies
    A webpage detailing conducting vacancies for leisure-time music groups in the UK: often a great way to gather experience and repertoire.
  • Royal Academy of Music - Glover-Edwards Conducting Programme
    A programme for conductors considering applying for a Masters degree in orchestral conducting.
  • Royal Opera House - Jette Parker Artists Programme
    Offers a range of training opportunities for opera-makers including conductors.

Funding opportunities

  • Arts Council England - Developing Your Creative Practice 
    Supporting the development of independent creative practitioners, offering grants of £2,000 to £12,000 to take a dedicated period of time to focus on your own creative development.
  • Arts Council England - National Lottery Project Grants
    Offering funds to creative practitioners and freelancers.
  • Creative Scotland - Open Fund for Individuals
    Grants of £500 to £50,000 open to individual artists and creative practitioners in Scotland, supporting a wide range of musical activity.
  • The Finzi Trust - Grant Giving 
    Offers a range of assistance to musicians for music performance, music publication, books on music, music festivals, and furthering musical education (excluding full time courses).
  • Help Musicians UK - Skills and Professional Development
    Offering grants of up to £1,500 to help you enhance your skills or artistic practice.
  • The Nicholas Boas Charitable Trust 
    Providing support to young musicians at the start of their careers.