BBC launches second Open Music training scheme

BBC Radio and Music has today launched the second edition of its Open Music training scheme. With applications open until 25 June to creatives and musicians of any age, talent or background across the UK, the initiative aims to ensure that the teams creating BBC content are representative of listeners’ diverse range of backgrounds.

The 30 applicants accepted onto the scheme will be mentored by staff across BBC Radio and Music in radio production, sound engineering, presenting and digital content production in classical music. Running from September 2023 to September 2024, Open Music offers participants the chance to gain valuable behind-the-scenes experience.

Musician Koyel Basu, who participated in the scheme last year and is now an assistant produced on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune, said: ‘I developed great relationships with various producers and presenters across programmes, and the chance to platform the music of my Bengali community from India. I feel blessed and grateful for this opportunity that this scheme and the BBC have given me, marking a cornerstone in my creative career in music journalism.’

Throughout the scheme, participants are encouraged to work together on broadcasts and on a dedicated BBC Prom which will be presented as part of the 2024 season. Last year’s inaugural scheme culminated in The Dream Prom, centred around the themes of racism and mental health. Open Music trainees presented to a live audience at the Royal Albert Hall and on the BBC Radio 3 broadcast of the event, as well as taking roles in sound design, engineering, production and performance.

BBC Radio 3 controller Sam Jackson said: ‘We’re looking for people with an undeniable spark of creativity, who feel that what they offer can help us to create truly special and memorable radio. The BBC may just be the place for you: we are one of the biggest media organisations in the world, with a staggering reach, and we commission more new music than anyone in the UK.’