I’m Molly, and this year I had the wonderful opportunity to assist with the 2025 Brighton Early Music Festival (BREMF) as a Graduate Trainee.
Discovering the BREMF Trainee Scheme
I discovered the BREMF Graduate Trainee scheme while searching for ways to expand my experience in concert management and to engage with Early Music beyond academia.
The other four trainees in my cohort had varied aspirations – from gaining experience in social media marketing within the music industry, to one day owning a pub with a lively events schedule!
This diversity of ambitions was embraced and encouraged by the BREMF team throughout the scheme.
Learning and Applying New Skills
Work began remotely through the summer and involved a wide range of tasks that developed my skills in arts administration, marketing, and press and publicity.
One particular highlight was a tailored CPD training session with a social media agency, focused on how to capture and process effective digital content. I was able to apply this learning directly by producing targeted marketing activity for a family event at the festival, contributing to increased audience engagement and attendance.
It was rewarding and valuable not only to acquire but to apply skills, and see tangible results.
Festival Weekend in Brighton
In October, I travelled to Brighton to assist hands-on during the second weekend of the festival.
With a tight schedule and a vibrant programme to execute, I was quickly immersed, but I always felt supported by the welcoming and experienced BREMF team.
One of the weekend’s highlights was Baroque Odyssey, a joyful, nautical-themed collaboration between local schools and two professional Baroque bands. This event encapsulated my interpretation of BREMF’s ethos: high-quality Early Music presented in imaginative, accessible ways that actively engage the local community.
Another highlight was supporting audience-facing activity, using my Northern charm to help sell the much-loved BREMF quiz to audience members!
Reflections
BREMF was my first independent professional festival experience (and my first real solo adventure!), and it was a privilege to be involved in such an exciting, engaging, inclusive and inspirational event.
The experience certainly strengthened my transferable skills toolkit, and I couldn’t have felt more welcomed by the generous hosts I stayed with (who kindly let me have free rein of their harpsichord!), the performers, the team, and my fellow trainees.
I would highly recommend the BREMF trainee programme to anyone looking to gain practical experience within a unique, dynamic and supportive festival environment.
