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
2023.10 - 2026.01
- 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
2022.04 - 2023.09
- 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
2012.01 - 2026.01
- 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
2019.05 - 2022.03
- 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
2017.08 - 2019.04
- 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
2016.09 - 2019.04
- 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
2014.10 - 2016.07
- 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
2014.01 - 2014.09
- 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
2012.11 - 2013.09
- 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 2007.09 - 2011.06
RSAMD (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) Junior Academy
Glasgow 2003.08 - 2007.06
Kilsyth Academy
North Lanarkshire 2001.08 - 2007.06
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
2023.10 - 2026.01
Music & Scheduling Coordinator
Edinburgh International Festival
2022.04 - 2023.09
Dementia Inclusive Singing Network Manager
Luminate
2019.05 - 2022.03
Project Coordinator - Play it Again SAV!
Music in Hospitals & Care Scotland
2017.08 - 2019.04
Concerts Administrator
Music in Hospitals & Care Scotland
2016.09 - 2019.04
Events Coordinator
Big Big Sing: Glasgow UNESCO City of Music project
2014.10 - 2016.07
Project Assistant
Big Big Sing: Glasgow UNESCO City of Music project
2014.01 - 2014.09
Administrator (maternity cover)
Scottish Ensemble
2012.11 - 2013.09
Project/Duty Manager; Artist liaison; Producer
Various
2012.01 - 2026.01
BMus (Hons) - Music
University of Glasgow
2007.09 - 2011.06
RSAMD (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) Junior Academy
2003.08 - 2007.06
Kilsyth Academy
2001.08 - 2007.06