Channelling Talent

The project considers talent as it applies to the music industry, and recommends that in a time of flux, music companies, colleges and media would do well to take a critical look at what they mean by talent. Social interactions and relationships are crucial in developing talent over time. 

Engage with OUR research

Channelling Talent brings together expertise from sociologists at the University of Manchester alongside in-depth interviews with musicians, educators, journalists and senior figures at BBC Radio1 and LiveNation – two of the world’s largest live music corporations.

By raising awareness, and highlighting a diversity of perspectives, including innovative and progressive practices, Channelling Talent suggests how various participants in the music world can ensure their networks are efficient channels for talent - for everyone’s benefit.

This report recommends the following:

• Music institutions, with their stakeholders, should develop and publish their definition of talent as part of their wider mission statement. 

• The effectiveness of initiatives to develop and support talent in music should be evaluated, and resources for initiatives should be allocated on the basis of effectiveness. 

• Further research is needed to better understand the broad benefits of music participation, and the network dynamics created by online platforms to distribute and access networks.