Many popular music performance and composition (P&C) students who transition to careers within the popular music industry as performers and composers encounter challenges to their career progression (Bennett and Bridgstock, 2014). Indeed, that only a small number of performance graduates’ “primary income is earned as a performing artist” (Weston, 2020, p.5) is sobering information. Data on graduate dissatisfaction in HPME focuses on insufficient preparation for work, weak or non-existent links and partnerships between HPME and industry, limited industry experience opportunities, and educators' lack of industry awareness (Bennett, 2016). In response, this research focuses on understanding the benefits partnership between the popular music industry and HPME might afford a particular cohort of students of positional interest to myself, student P&Cs who wish to enter the industry. The study’s main aim was to understand whether industry professionals and academics desired to form partnerships, to gauge that desire, understand the benefits that partnerships might offer, uncover any barriers to their creation, and understand how industry professionals view HPME .In part one the known literature surrounding industry views on partnerships with HPME is reviewed but due to this data being scarce on this specific topic, themes and topics relating how the formation of partnerships might be of benefit to student P&Cs were also reviewed. These themes include portfolio careers and soft skills, perceptions regarding the purpose of HPME, pedagogic approaches (within the context with how popular music evolved historically), issues regarding the safeguarding of students within industry settings, and how recent technologies have influenced student P&C’s career strategies. In part two, the chosen research methodologies are outlined along with details of how the research was designed and enacted. Information regarding the recruitment of participants for the online surveys and interviews is detailed including information relating to how participants’ data was used, stored, and destroyed in adherence to GDPR legislation. In part three the data generated by online surveys and interviews is analysed and discussed using a thematic analysis methodology to uncover topics and themes that support the study’s main aims and research questions. These themes and topics include industry perceptions of HPME, interest in partnerships, current partnership engagement in 2024, and what student skill sets interest industry professionals. Part three also reports on recurring themes such as how technology and data harvesting are perceived to be changing the music industry and student career choices, along with music licensing. In part four conclusions from the data are discussed including the main findings, that 80% of industry participants would be interested in forming partnerships, along with 100% of HPME programme leaders. In addition, high ranking industry professionals are very much interested in student P&Cs, and their music above any other student, skill. Some etiquette considerations were raised by industry professionals relating to correct method of contact, with some ethical and safety concerns raised by both academics and industry professionals.
| Date of Award | 6 Feb 2026 |
|---|
| Original language | English |
|---|
| Supervisor | Alex Harker (Main Supervisor) |
|---|