Kirsty Hughes
Kirkliston,Edinburgh
Summary
I am an experienced cross-genre music programmer, arts project manager and producer who has delivered creative projects for a variety of UK-wide festivals and arts organisations. With a genuine passion for connecting people through music, my approach blends detailed planning and scheduling with negotiation and communication skills, underpinned by a creative vision that puts people at the centre. I strive to lead with empathy and inclusivity, drawing on my experience in project management, including project budget forecasting and management, to help teams thrive. I am dedicated to harnessing these strengths to achieve impactful outcomes for projects or organisations.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
13
13
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Music Programme Manager
Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh
10.2023 - 01.2026
- Overseeing planning, programming and scheduling of the festival's annual music programme taking place in venues across Edinburgh, and leading the Rising Stars development programme.
- Contributing to budget setting and negotiating music performance deals, including all financial arrangements for The Hub music series and many performances across the orchestral and chamber music series.
- Recruiting and line managing all temporary music team staff for each festival.
Music & Scheduling Coordinator
Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh
04.2022 - 09.2023
- Responsible for maintaining a detailed music schedule for each year's festival programme, researching music programmes and artists, and issuing deal memos and visa application documents for the artists in the music programme.
- Provided advice on approaches to marketing and social media content and proofreading festival materials, including the brochure, programmes, and freesheets.
Project/Duty Manager; Artist liaison; Producer
Various
01.2012 - 01.2026
- Occasionally work in a variety of project/duty manager, artist liaison and producer roles for music organisations and arts festivals across the UK. This has included: Scottish Chamber Orchestra, National Youth Orchestras of Scotland, Music Declares Emergency, Songlines Encounters Festival, London A Cappella Festival, Celtic Connections, East Neuk Festival, and Solas Festival, where I served as a Trustee from 2019-2025.
Dementia Inclusive Singing Network Manager
Luminate
Edinburgh
05.2019 - 03.2022
- Managed a programme of events, training, consultations, and a small grants programme for the project, and scheduled activities to manage and grow the Network membership.
Project Coordinator - Play it Again SAV!
Music in Hospitals & Care Scotland
Edinburgh
08.2017 - 04.2019
- Responsible for project delivery, developing flexible approaches to allow veterans in care to use and experience music in a personal way to improve their health.
- Collaborative working as part of the Unforgotten Forces Consortium of 15 partner organisations.
Concerts Administrator
Music in Hospitals & Care Scotland
Edinburgh
09.2016 - 04.2019
- Responsible for scheduling and organising regular concerts and tours to healthcare settings across Greater Glasgow and across rural areas of Scotland.
Events Coordinator
Big Big Sing: Glasgow UNESCO City of Music project
Glasgow
10.2014 - 07.2016
- Produced and delivered UK wide events and activities, including programming and scheduling events, and booking appropriate venues, presenters, musicians, and subsequent travel and accommodation for Big Big Sing days.
- Managed the project's involvement in BBC Proms in the Park 2015 in Glasgow.
Project Assistant
Big Big Sing: Glasgow UNESCO City of Music project
Glasgow
01.2014 - 09.2014
- Key contribution: Venue Manager for 'The Playhouse' at the BIG Big Big Sing Day - a full day of singing workshops, activities and entertainment which took place at Glasgow Green during the Commonwealth Games and saw 40,000 people participate throughout the day - ensuring artists were looked after, and that events ran smoothly and to time.
Administrator (maternity cover)
Scottish Ensemble
Glasgow
11.2012 - 09.2013
- Assisted with the running of Scottish Ensemble projects, organising the ensemble's UK and international tours, and oversaw the 'SE Network' and 'Friends of the Scottish Ensemble'.
Education
BMus (Hons) - Music
University of Glasgow
Glasgow 09.2007 - 06.2011
RSAMD (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) Junior Academy
Glasgow 08.2003 - 06.2007
Kilsyth Academy
North Lanarkshire 08.2001 - 06.2007
Skills
- Planning and scheduling expertise
- Negotiation and communication skills
- Creative vision
- Project management skills
- Budget forecasting and management experience
- Collaborative and adaptive leader and learner
Accomplishments
- Atelier Chemnitz 2025 Certificate, European Festivals Association: The Festival Academy, achieved November 2025.
- COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate, Therapy Train Stirling, achieved September 2021.
- Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music awards at Grade 8 in Piano, Grade 8 in Trumpet, and Grade 5 in Theory of Music.
- Daily Record Trophy - Kilsyth Civic Queen 2006.
Affiliations
- Attending concerts and gigs, Playing trumpet in a community band, Pilates, and Travel.
Additional Information
- Full clean driving licence.
- References available on request.
Timeline
Music Programme Manager
Edinburgh International Festival
10.2023 - 01.2026
Music & Scheduling Coordinator
Edinburgh International Festival
04.2022 - 09.2023
Dementia Inclusive Singing Network Manager
Luminate
05.2019 - 03.2022
Project Coordinator - Play it Again SAV!
Music in Hospitals & Care Scotland
08.2017 - 04.2019
Concerts Administrator
Music in Hospitals & Care Scotland
09.2016 - 04.2019
Events Coordinator
Big Big Sing: Glasgow UNESCO City of Music project
10.2014 - 07.2016
Project Assistant
Big Big Sing: Glasgow UNESCO City of Music project
01.2014 - 09.2014
Administrator (maternity cover)
Scottish Ensemble
11.2012 - 09.2013
Project/Duty Manager; Artist liaison; Producer
Various
01.2012 - 01.2026
BMus (Hons) - Music
University of Glasgow
09.2007 - 06.2011
RSAMD (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) Junior Academy
08.2003 - 06.2007
Kilsyth Academy
08.2001 - 06.2007