Music Students for Hire

Music Students for Hire: a booking agency for young musicians in the UK

Music Students for Hire is a British agency that connects clients with young musicians for functions and events. Launched in 2010, the company states it has provided live music for more than 10,000 private and corporate events. Its roster of over 1,600 musicians includes graduates from music colleges and universities around the country. The agency presents itself as the UK’s number 1 provider of young musicians for functions and events, a claim that reflects its own positioning.

Instrumentation and ensembles available

The agency’s national pool of musicians covers a range of classical and popular formats. The catalogue includes string quartets, jazz and swing musicians, harpists, violinists, pianists, cellists, saxophonists and classical guitarists. It also lists party bands, duos, singers and choirs or vocal groups. This variety allows the agency to propose options for different types of events, from weddings and private parties to corporate functions, film and television work.

How the booking process works

The agency describes a four-stage process. It begins with an enquiry in which the team listens to the client’s ideas, whether these are already clear or require guidance, and discusses the nature of the event, location, audience, desired ambience, special requirements and budget. In the requirements stage, the agency proposes options from its roster of over 1,500 musicians, sending audio samples and repertoire lists to help the client decide. Payment can be made by bank transfer or card, and the agency offers a range of deposit and balance schedules to secure the date and musicians. Finally, the team liaises between client and musicians to finalise details, reconfirming all arrangements and exchanging contact details approximately 10 days before the event. The agency states that it supports its musicians and events seven days per week.

Clients and event types

The company reports having worked with brands such as Marks and Spencer, John Lewis, McDonald’s, BBC, Channel 4, Netflix, The Savoy, Red Bull, Secret Cinema, Made in Chelsea, Amnesty International, Rolex and the National Trust. Its work spans weddings, parties, corporate events, film and television. The agency emphasises the breadth of its work and its focus on sourcing musicians suited to a particular brief.

Team and industry experience

The team is made up of people with experience in the music, wedding and events industries, several of whom are practising musicians. Ben McGettigan, head booking agent, is a composer and pianist with over 10 years of professional experience; he has played for King Charles II and Camilla and accompanied artists such as Diana Ross, and holds a first-class honours degree in classical composition from Trinity Laban. Pete Baker, director, is a drummer with a 30-year career that has included tours in America, Canada, Japan and Europe and festivals such as Glastonbury, T in the Park, V, Reading and Leeds, SXSW and Montreux Jazz Festival. Robin Weil founded the agency in 2010 during his student days in Manchester; he is a viola player and also founded weddingplanner.co.uk. Lucy Springett, creative lead, has seven years of experience with weddingplanner.co.uk and Music Students for Hire and oversees design and content for the brands.

Geographic coverage and contact

The agency states that it covers Britain, Sweden and beyond. Booking enquiries are handled by Robin Weil and business or media enquiries by Pete Baker. The company operates as Music Students for Hire Ltd., company number 12391383.