ICMP and AIM to support next generation of talent with Music Business partnership
London-based contemporary music school the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) and the Association of Independent Music (AIM) are delighted to come together to support the next generation of music industry talent through partnering on three Music Business courses.
Commencing in 2024, the partnership will cover ICMP’s core music business courses, the BA (Hons) Music Business and Entrepreneurship, the BA (Hons) Music Marketing and the BA (Hons) Live Event and Festival Management.
Through the upcoming collaboration, students on each of the three courses will benefit from opportunities to get involved in AIM’s programme of events geared at empowering independent creators and entrepreneurs to level up in their careers.
Students will also be able access and make vital connections within AIM’s network, with AIM organising talks by university guest speakers from its membership. The first of these took place in late 2023, with AIM Head of Membership Nina Radojewski speaking to students at a packed lecture theatre at ICMP’s Kilburn campus.
It is the latest chapter in an ongoing relationship, with AIM previously collaborating on an ICMP Music Business and Entrepreneurship scholarship for aspiring music entrepreneurs. The two organisations also launched an industry placement programme in 2022, which has created two month-long placements for the University’s music business students to gain professional experience with AIM’s rightsholder and distributor members.
AIM represents more than a thousand music industry businesses and entrepreneurs within the UK independent sector, where many ICMP students and alumni build their careers.
Nina Radojewski, Head of Membership at AIM, commented: “We’re excited to strengthen AIM’s longstanding relationship with ICMP and build on our existing work together to support the next generation of music entrepreneurs. We hope that the new partnership will help students starting out in their careers by allowing them to learn directly from leading figures in independent music and to develop their knowledge across various areas of the business. This is another important step in AIM’s ongoing commitment to opening access to knowledge and resources in order to support the thriving independent community of the future.”
Ken Foreman, ICMP's Associate Dean and the Programme Leader of the BA (Hons) Music Business and Entrepreneurship, said: “We are delighted that AIM is partnering on these three inspiring programmes. AIM represents many different organisations operating within the independent sector and leads the way when it comes to best practice in the industry. Partnering with them will bring our students into their network and give them brilliant opportunities to develop their careers with their support.”
James Brister, ICMP’s Industry Liaison Manager, said: “We have a fantastic partnership with AIM which has seen our students benefit from meeting leading industry professionals alongside getting involved in industry events and more. It’s an exciting time for us to develop this relationship further by partnering on these programmes.”
Find out more about ICMP’s School of Music Business: https://www.icmp.ac.uk/school-music-business and AIM’s latest news and events: https://www.aim.org.uk
About AIM
AIM is the not-for-profit organisation representing and supporting the UK’s independent music community, which makes up a third of the UK’s recorded music market. Now in its 25th year, AIM’s members range from the largest, most respected record labels and associated music businesses in the world to DIY or self-releasing artists and the next generation of entrepreneurs in music. These include 4AD, Black Acre, Beggars Group, Chrysalis / Blue Raincoat, CTRL Music, Domino Recording Co, FAMM, Finesse Foreva, Hospital Records, HQ Familia, The Leaf Label, Ninja Tune, NQ Recordings, Numbers, Partisan, Transgressive, Scruff of the Neck, Secretly Canadian, Stones Throw, Supernature, Warp, and XL Recordings.
AIM exists to level the playing field for UK independent music businesses - the beating heart of music. No matter their genre, their background, how much money they have, how they identify or their location, AIM provides access to the knowledge and contacts creative entrepreneurs need to create, build and win. AIM supports its members, not only through the difficult times, but also on a day-to-day level with practical support that makes a real difference to their lives and work, helping them take their businesses to the next level.
Find out more about AIM: https://www.aim.org.uk
About the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP)
Based in London and now established for over 35 years, ICMP offers a range of industry-aligned undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Guitar, Bass, Drums, Vocals, Songwriting, Music Production, Audio Engineering, Live Event Management, Music Marketing and Music Business, all designed for students looking to take their next step towards a long-term career in the music industry.
Notable ICMP alumni include Fraser T Smith (Adele, Stormzy, Dave, Sam Smith); Luke Patterson (Clean Bandit) Elena Tonra, Igor Haefeli, Remi Aguilella (Daughter); Arni Arnison (The Vaccines); Lou Bartle (Bloc Party); Gabi King (Declan Mckenna); and many others.
Find out more about ICMP: https://www.icmp.ac.uk