Students from the University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) BA Commercial Music and MA Music programmes are composing themselves after winning top awards in a music scheme led by Channel 4 TV and London-based music publisher The Nerve.

Third-year student Calum McGrath was awarded first place overall in the Channel 4 Student Composition Scheme, with Joshua Ler Zhi Wen, a postgraduate student from the MA Music programme, placing a close second. Both students received exceptional praise from a panel of industry experts and have been awarded exclusive mentorships with Mark Fabian, composer and Music Operations Manager at The Nerve.

The scheme invites students to respond to real-world music briefs for potential TV placements - one of the most competitive and sought-after opportunities in the music industry.

Commercial Music lecturer, Lauren Gilmour, who facilitated a dedicated workshop with Channel 4 and The Nerve in Glasgow earlier this year, said: “This is a phenomenal achievement for our students, and a real testament to their creativity and commitment.

 

To have not one but two UWS students take the top spots is huge. The recognition from Channel 4 and The Nerve shows that our courses are equipping students with the skills and insight needed to make it in a fast-paced industry. We’re incredibly proud.

Commercial Music lecturer, Lauren Gilmour

 

Both Calum and Joshua described the opportunity as “career-defining.”

 

Winning this is honestly surreal,” said Calum McGrath. “The feedback from the panel blew me away, and the chance to work closely with someone like Mark Fabian is an amazing step forward for me.

Third-year student Calum McGrath who was awarded first place

 

Joshua Ler Zhi Wen added: “This scheme has challenged me to think about composing in a completely new way. To be recognised like this gives me confidence and motivation to keep pushing myself.”

In addition to the top awards, UWS students Maya McAdam who is studying for a master’s in music, and Sean Phillips who is currently studying a bachelor’s degree in Commercial Music, also received high scores and have been invited to take part in one-to-one development calls with Channel 4 and The Nerve teams.

The scheme has already proven to be a powerful launchpad with last year’s winner from Leeds Conservatoire recently having her music chosen for BBC1’s peak-time programme, Countryfile. Highlighting the real-world industry pathways this initiative can open up for students.

UWS’s Commercial Music and Music postgraduate programmes are known for their distinctive blend of creative freedom, critical thinking and industry-facing practice. Students work across performance, production, composition, entrepreneurship and sound design, with access to experienced staff, professional facilities and valuable industry connections.

 

The panel of C4 content directors and music advisors were delighted with the quality and originality of the music submitted by UWS students. The UWS composers showed that, not only could they compose stunning works, but could write both to the competition briefs and to the wider technical demands of music on TV. Some really lovely music!

Paul Lewis, General Manager of Music Services, Channel 4, on the quality of UWS' submissions.

 

The continued success of UWS in this national scheme highlights the growing reputation of its music courses and strengthens its industry partnerships with leading organisations like Channel 4 and The Nerve.

Applications are now open for the BA (Hons) Commercial Music and MA Music programmes at UWS. For more information, visit www.uws.ac.uk.