As this is quite a long list, you may prefer to jump to a specific section:
- Professional bodies
- Advanced opportunities for students
- Educational establishments
- Instrumental focus
- General music resources
Professional bodies
Association of British Choral Directors
Information and resources from this organisation for choir leaders and trainers.
European Piano Teachers Association
This is the link to the UK branch which publishes its own magazine and provides membership benefits to UK piano teachers. The main EPTA Europe site provides links to other national branches.
European String Teachers Association
This is the link to the UK branch. Information and training courses are offered through this professional association and the European website provides links for other member countries.
Targets music services and LEAs, the web site has information on lobbying activities and research as well as relevant job postings for instrumental teachers.
Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM)
A professional association for musicians. The web site has some general information and a members' area. Focus on employment issues and careers in music.
Music Education Council (MEC)
A representative body for music education and the music industry. It operates as local, national and international levels to advance the music curriculum and performance training.
Best known for representation of professional performers, this union has a teachers register. If you've got any performance royalties due to you, they'll help you find out!
National Association of Music Educators (NAME)
This is a broad church representing music services, advisers and teachers in the UK and claims to be the largest professional association representing individuals involved in music education. It offers a range of publications, runs an annual conference and operates through a regional network.
Young Choirs
Formerly the British Federation of Young Choirs, we cannot locate a viable website, but this organisation organises and sponsors events and conferences for youth choirs and choral conductors. They have also pioneered a number of "pump-priming" projects placing choral trainers in schools.
Just check it out! UK-based charity promoting music across all genres. Aims are increasing participation and overcoming social and economic barriers by promoting, funding and informing. It also publishes the popular "Sing Up!" magazine.
Advanced opportunities for students
The choirs cater for committed young singers aged between 9 and 18 at application, for membership which lasts to the age of 23.
The band provides opportunities for serious players of big band jazz. No audition, the band meets in London regularly. Members aged up to 25.
This is a key organisation for aspiring orchestral players! Auditions take place each year for players under 18 and playing at Grade 8 Distinction or above.
British Federation of Youth Marching Band Organisations
Provide list of member bands around the country and information and marketing resources for new marching bands.
Educational establishments
Associated Board of the Royal College of Music
News, publications and support for teachers from the examination body. Examination syllabuses also available online.
Forming part of Birmingham City University, the conservatoire has a focus on music performance and composition including jazz and live electronic music.
Information about Chetham's (a specialist co-educational independent school) and performances by students. The school is based in Manchester.
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Information on undergraduate and postgraduate courses available at this Central London site.
Information about West Yorkshire's campus.
A Faculty of the University of West London with its own instrumental examinations service.
Information about the Purcell School based North of London. The school covers high school through to sixth form studies.
Information on events and study opportunities at this London based conservatoire.
Information on opportunities at this London based conservatoire, including the junior department.
Information on this specialist group and its examination and diploma syllabus.
Royal Northern College of Music
The prestigious Manchester-based music college has details of its courses.
Probably best known for its choral training tradition, the RSCM sets out its stall on the Internet.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Information on events and study opportunities at this Glasgow based conservatoire.
Examination syllabuses and general information for this examination board are online - follow the Music menu to access Music Grade Exam syllabuses.
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Information and the college prospectus for potential students.
Instrumental focus
British Banjo Madolin Guitar Federation
The Federation promotes performance and education of banjo, mandolin and guitar playing styles, including orchestras.
A forum for bass players - electric and acoustic.
References for the violist and those interested in the viola.
General music resources
A subscription service aimed at performing and aspiring artists in the music business. US-based, it includes artist information through to downloads.
A website specialising in recorded classical works for purchase and download. There is a useful reference section and arts news features to keep up to date with current developments.
Classical music site listing orchestras, resources, music related jobs, etc. with a UK-focus.
The International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP) includes blog journals and the Petrucci Music Library, providing public domain and out of copyright music freely available for download and study. We don't believe many musicians would prefer this to a nicely printed and bound volume for performance purposes but the value for study (assessing feasibility of performing a work) is significant. When you want the professionally printed and bound edition, you know where to come!
A credible academic database of resources spanning the arts and humanities for education and research. Sadly this is no longer being updated, but existing materials should remain available until July 2014.
Irish Traditional Music Archive
Information and downloads available from this Dublin-based resource. Includes historic archive recordingas and interactive scores of traditional music.
A forum for self-publicity and on-line music community.