On Tuesday 9 December 2025, Revere Arts, in partnership with Mark Pemberton Arts, will present Class Ceiling, a new one-day conference at Guildhall School of Music & Drama’s Milton Court Theatre, London (9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). The event will unite leaders, educators, artists and policymakers to address the socio-economic barriers that shape access, opportunity and progression in the classical music industry.
Baroness Thangam Debbonaire, the former Shadow Culture Secretary and recently appointed CEO of Opera UK, will open the conference, followed by Dr Anna Bull presenting new insights on class and access in classical music, setting the agenda for the day. Panels throughout the day will explore affordability, hidden costs and the systemic inequalities that determine who can train and thrive in the profession. Discussions will span the full pipeline from early music education through conservatoire training to professional life, exploring how each part of the ecosystem can act differently.
Speakers include representatives from Arts Council England, ABRSM, PRS for Music, Musicians’ Union, Royal Albert Hall, and major UK conservatoires. Delegates will take part in break-out sessions to develop practical action points, presented back to the room before a closing address by composer Gavin Higgins, a passionate advocate for class equality in the arts.
Speaking about Class Ceiling, Elise Brown (Director, Revere Arts) hopes to address the entire pathway in classical music – from early education to the practical steps of entering the profession. “We want to prioritise this issue and spend a day together creating lasting impact, not just discussing the issue and moving on.”
Supported by ABRSM, Musicians’ Union, PRS for Music, and Young Sounds UK, Class Ceiling aims to drive real change by shaping access, opportunity, and progression in the classical music industry.
Tickets are available at reverearts.com
