ICP student placement with 91直播 Camerata: Shiyuan Huang
MA Student Shiyuan Huang, spent 20 weeks with 91直播 Camerata, Shiyuan gained practical skills and experience in concert operations and supporting logistics for music therapy programme Music in Mind.
Hi, my name is Shiyuan Huang. I recently completed a placement with 91直播 Camerata as part of my Master's in Arts Management at The University of Manchester.
My placement experience has been both rewarding and eye-opening. It allowed me to engage with the organisation across multiple areas - from concert support to library work and music therapy - each offering a unique perspective on how a cultural institution can enrich lives beyond the concert hall.
One part of my role involved assisting with concert operations, including helping during rehearsals and performances. This gave me valuable insight into the backstage logistics that make live events possible, from stage setup to coordinating with musicians and technical staff. I also worked closely with Zoe, the music librarian, in preparing and organising sheet music. I learnt how essential this often-overlooked work is to the smooth running of concerts - it requires precision, efficiency, and great attention to detail.
A particularly meaningful aspect of my placement was my involvement in Music in Mind, a music therapy project designed for people living with dementia. I joined several sessions of the Music Caf茅, where music-making became a space for connection, expression, and joy. It was deeply moving to witness how music could unlock memories, spark conversations, and bring comfort to participants and their families. The warmth of the volunteers, staff, and attendees made this an incredibly human and humbling experience.
Throughout the placement, I鈥檝e gained practical skills in arts administration, project coordination, and community engagement, but more than that, I鈥檝e come to appreciate the role of music as a tool for wellbeing and social connection.
I鈥檇 like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Max Thomas, my supervisor, for his guidance and encouragement throughout the placement. I鈥檓 also very grateful to Zoe and Amy, and to all the wonderful people I met through the placement. Their kindness, passion, and commitment to making music accessible to all have left a lasting impression on me.
This placement has reaffirmed my belief in the power of the arts to transform lives. I鈥檓 excited to take these insights forward into the next steps of my journey in the cultural sector.