Music at York

🏆⭐ The School of ACT excels at the National Student Survey!

The results of the 2026 National Student Survey (NSS) have revealed the strengths of the School of Arts and Creative Technologies for the study of media studies and music. The School has excelled in ‘Academic support’ and ‘Organisation and management’, ‘Learning opportunities’ and ‘student voice’ in the poll, with over 2,800 York responses in the 2025 survey.

To read the full highlights from the Survey, you can read a full breakdown on our website: https://www.york.ac.uk/arts-creative-technologies/about/news/2026/act-nss-2026/

Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media, University of York | Music at York | School of Arts and Creative Technologies | University of York |

National Student Survey shows strengths of media studies and music at York The results of the 2026 National Student Survey (NSS) have revealed the strengths of the School of Arts and Creative Technologies for the study of media studies and music.

🎻🎶 Bridging identities with music at Echoes Across Cultures!

Earlier this month we were honoured to host the University of York East Asian Ensemble for Echoes Across Cultures, a celebration of diversity, friendship and cultural exchange through music. Blending traditional East Asian instruments and Western classical and contemporary music, the performance spanned a wealth of genres and instrumental styles, altogether creating an incomparable musical evening.

Congratulations to the entire University of York East Asian Ensemble for organising this incredible evening!

Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media, University of York | School of Arts and Creative Technologies | University of York |

🏆📄 Recognising staff accomplishments with our ACT Announcements series!

Celebrate staff successes by taking a look back at recent projects and achievements from academics within the School of ACT! These cutting-edge publications represent the entire School's commitment to remaining at the forefront of study and technology, helping prepare students to thrive within the ever-evolving creative industries.

School of Arts and Creative Technologies | University of York |

📣🏆 Congratulations to Charlotte Baskerville, a second year PhD student in the School of ACT, who has received the coveted Sara Burstall Award for academic excellence by the British Federation of Women Graduates! This is a deserved celebration of Charlotte’s trailblazing work, exploring how musical composition can contribute to placemaking through collaborations with diverse communities including primary school children, people living with dementia, and semi-professional adult singers.

Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media, University of York | School of Arts and Creative Technologies | University of York | | |

🎶🎻 TOMORROW!
Only one day to go until the University of York Baroque Ensemble with Ensemble Hesperi!

Presenting a joyful programme of instrumental and vocal music, this ensemble is not to be missed. Take a look at the talented group behind this event during one of their rehearsals, drawing from a rich history of composers and musicians from Handel and Arne to the Italian oboe virtuoso Giuseppe Sammartini and the Scottish cellist and composer James Oswald.

For tickets, go to https://ncem.co.uk/events/university-of-york-baroque-ensemble-with-ensemble-hesperi/

School of Arts and Creative Technologies | University of York |

🎶 Meet Hang Li, a Postdoctoral Research Associate who contributed to the new publication Instrumental Music Education.

In this feature, she reflects on how her personal journey from teaching in China to doctoral research in the UK has shaped her focus on the role of discipline-specific language in music education.

Hang discusses how language influences confidence, identity and participation for multilingual student-teachers and why supporting these dimensions is essential in international learning environments.

She also shares insights into navigating uncertainty during a PhD, and how cross-cultural perspectives can enrich both research and pedagogical practice.

ℹ️ Read the full article to learn more about her work and research journey: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/act-phd-candidate-contributes-new-bloomsbury-ju8je

University of York | School of Arts and Creative Technologies |

ACT PhD Candidate contributes to new Bloomsbury publication - Music Education: Instrumental and Vocal Teaching. Hang Li holds a PhD in Music Education from the School of Arts and Creative Technologies at the University of York , supervised by Dr Liz Haddon . She completed her MA in Music Education (Instrumental and Vocal Teaching) at the University of York in 2016–2017.

🎙️“Fascinating, challenging and rewarding” – postgraduate student Lorraine describes her time studying MA Music, Management and Marketing (MMM).

In her blog post, she shares her experience of studying at the School of Arts and Creative Technologies, including completing the Collaborative Industry Project, where she organised a concert with her classmates for YorkConcerts 🎶

To read more about her journey in York, check out this link: https://blogs.york.ac.uk/student-voices/2025/12/23/studying-ma-music-management-and-marketing-at-york-what-i-learned-built-and-enjoyed/.

School of Arts and Creative Technologies | University of York | |

🎸 A lunch break filled with music!

🎤 Recently, the Ron Cooke Hub Atrium was filled with live music as students and staff gathered for a relaxed jam session. It was incredible to see such a diverse group of musicians come together and spontaneously collaborate, transforming an ordinary Tuesday lunch break into something truly special.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us – whether you picked up an instrument, shared your talent or simply came along to listen and soak up the atmosphere.

We are already looking forward to the next one on 📆Friday 17th April at 12pm!

See you there!

School of Arts and Creative Technologies | University of York|

We are thrilled to launch our new series, ACT Model Highlights, where we shine a light on the innovative modules and hands-on experiences within the School of Arts and Creative Technologies at the University of York.

First up: Facilitation Skills: Theory and Practice. How do we use music to build a sense of belonging? See how our MA Community Music students are working alongside The Rolling Tones choir to develop their leadership skills in the real world.

Programme leader, Emily Crossland, and student, Zhiyue Zhu, speak about their experience with the module and collaboration with local community choir, The Rolling Tones.

📚Read more: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/act-module-highlights-ma-community-9ulte
🎬Watch more: https://youtu.be/zJXGjypcS4U

University of York | School of Arts and Creative Technologies | Music at York | Musical Connections

ACT Module Highlights: MA Community Music - Facilitation Skills: Theory and Practice. We are thrilled to launch our new series, ACT Model Highlights, where we shine a light on the innovative modules and hands-on experiences within the School o...

📖🎵 Last month, we celebrated the release of Instrumental Music Education (Bloomsbury, November 2025) - a new book created by Dr Elizabeth Haddon with input from staff and students at the University of York.

The groundbreaking new book arose from years of research and discussions within the Music Education forum and reflects today's practices in instrumental teaching.

With a number of collaborators offering their own contributions, the book provides a collection of unique chapters offering new ideas and conversations.

A huge congratulations to everyone involved! ⭐

School of Arts and Creative Technologies | University of York | |