CMF Booklet 2016 PRINT VERSION

CMF Business Mentoring Scheme
Set up through a collaboration with
BNY Mellon, CMF’s innovative business
mentoring scheme is central to the
support we offer all CMF Artists.
CMF is unique in this – no other
musical award or institution offers
the educational and apprenticeship
programme that the CMF has developed.
We use an innovative cross-disciplinary
approach to enhance the chance of
these young, highly talented musicians
– classical, jazz and folk – making a
success of their chosen careers as
professional performers of live music.
Statistics from music conservatoires
suggest that the number of graduates
earning a living from performance is low:
despite the investment, the talent and
the passion, many of these fantastic
young professionals do not ‘make it’ and
end up pursuing jobs in other fields.
We pair our CMF Artists with senior
business people – mainly Citybased
financial services and legal
professionals – as personal mentors.
This is designed to complement the
CMF series of tailored professional
development workshops and seminars.
Business mentors are able to provide
a valuable external perspective and
help the musicians to approach
their careers more strategically.
Topics frequently addressed
include setting aims and objectives,
managing finances, organisational
skills, negotiating fees, contracts,
presentation and communication skills,
networking, and dealing with stress.
Every musician needs to understand
that to be successful they must work
effectively as a self-sufficient business.
The CMF Business Mentoring Scheme
provides the tools and insights
needed for that. We are getting
amazing feedback from the CMF Artist
Programme alumni, and know that we
are making a significant difference.