{"id":8378,"date":"2025-03-14T11:42:27","date_gmt":"2025-03-14T11:42:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/?p=8378"},"modified":"2025-03-21T15:59:08","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T15:59:08","slug":"from-music-and-spanish-to-arts-management-a-university-of-manchester-alumni-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/2025\/03\/14\/from-music-and-spanish-to-arts-management-a-university-of-manchester-alumni-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"From Music and Spanish to Arts Management: A University of Manchester Alumni Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” next_background_color=”#000000″ global_module=”322″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=”322″ _builder_version=”3.17.6″ menu_id=”8″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” module_class=”main-navigation” background_layout=”dark” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner locked=”off”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=”3.0.106″ title=”on” meta=”on” author=”on” date=”on” categories=”on” comments=”on” featured_image=”on” featured_placement=”above” text_color=”dark” text_background=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_layout=”light” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

When I first chose to study Music with Spanish for my undergraduate degree, I was drawn in by the incredible breadth of expertise within the Music Department at the University of Manchester. The academic flexibility was a huge bonus, allowing me to pursue a language alongside my main subject. But what truly excited me was the wealth of student-led opportunities available. These experiences proved invaluable, offering practical skills and a taste of life beyond university.<\/p>\n

Returning to Manchester for my Master\u2019s in Arts Management felt like a natural next step. I was eager to deepen my understanding of the cultural industries and the policies that shape them. One of the major draws was the flexibility to balance studying with part-time work. This allowed me to continue building my professional experience while benefiting from the exceptional teaching at the Institute of Cultural Practices.<\/p>\n

Like many, I feel I naturally found my way into my career\u2014a journey I credit to the knowledge, skills, and networks I developed at Manchester. My undergraduate degree gave me a strong foundation in music, which I draw on daily in my work as the Creative Producer at Creative Manchester and Manchester Camerata. Meanwhile, my master\u2019s equipped me with a more critical, informed perspective. This helps me support the organisations I work with in developing fresh ideas and impactful projects.<\/p>\n

One of the most rewarding surprises from my time at Manchester has been the opportunity to collaborate professionally with some of the world-leading lecturers and seminar tutors I studied with. It\u2019s an incredible privilege to work within such an inspiring academic community, one that\u2019s played a huge part in shaping the person I am today.<\/p>\n

For anyone considering studying Culture, the Arts, or Music, I genuinely couldn\u2019t recommend Manchester more highly. There\u2019s no better city to hone your craft (and that\u2019s coming from someone who grew up in London!). If you\u2019re joining the University, my biggest piece of advice is to seek out practical experiences alongside your studies. Whether it\u2019s leading a student society, volunteering with a local organisation, or gaining part-time work in your field of interest, these experiences will enrich your learning and ensure you graduate with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take your next steps. Manchester is bursting with incredible opportunities, many facilitated by the University, so make the most of them!<\/p>\n

Written by Max Thomas-\u00a0<\/strong>class of 2018 BA Music with Spanish and 2022 MA Arts Management, Policy and Practice<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Max is an award-winning Arts Manager and Executive Coach, dedicated to developing people, projects, and partnerships across the Arts and Higher Education sectors. He is the Creative Producer at Creative Manchester (The University of Manchester)\u00a0and Manchester Camerata, while also working as a freelance Executive Coach.<\/p>\n

In his role as Creative Producer, Max produces concerts and community-based projects and leads the Manchester Camerata 360\u00b0 Ruth Sutton Fellowship, supporting young professional musicians. He also facilitates knowledge exchange between Manchester Camerata and The University of Manchester through research and teaching, while fostering partnerships with external organisations to deliver co-produced performances, professional development initiatives, and research-based evaluations. Throughout his career, Max has worked with leading arts organisations, including Hall\u00e9 Concerts Society, Kantos Chamber Choir, Manchester Literature Festival, and the University of Manchester Students\u2019 Union.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”3.0.106″ in_same_term=”off” show_prev=”on” show_next=”on” prev_text=”Previous” next_text=”Next” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.0.106″ show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Related posts” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”light” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

Related<\/h1>\n\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”3.0.106″ area=”sidebar-1″ orientation=”left” show_border=”off” background_layout=”light” locked=”on” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Connect Title” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” _builder_version=”3.0.90″ background_color=”#1d1d1d” module_class=”footer-section” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” global_module=”380″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” global_parent=”380″ locked=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_3=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” make_equal=”off” module_id=”footer-row” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Contact Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us” global_parent=”380″ text_text_color=”#aaaaaa” parent_locked=”off” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_class=”contact-us” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

+44 (0) 161 306 6000<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Find Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Find Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Address” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_id=”address” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

The University of Manchester
Oxford Rd
Manchester
M13 9PL
UK<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Connect Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Connect With Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Social Media” global_parent=”380″ parent_locked=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n