Parents especially need to read this!! There may be more to the music business than you originally thought. If performance and teaching aren’t your thing, look at the other cross disciplinary opportunities for those fortunate to have a music background.
A&R Coordinator
The main duty of the Artist & Repertoire coordinator is to find talent for the company to sign. A&R Coordinators search for new talent by visiting clubs, going to showcases, listening to tapes and demo recordings, and watching videotapes of acts performing. They are often responsible for helping find songs for the artists signed to the record label.
A&R Administrator
The Artist & Repertoire Administrator works in the Artist & Repertoire Department along with the A&R coordinator. In large companies, the A&R administrators are responsible for clerical functions within the department, planning budgets for artists signed to the label, and working on the annual or semiannual budget for all artists' expenditures. They must analyze previous budgets, and prepare a budget proposal with projected cost estimates for recording current acts. They also monitor the budget in relation to the expenses throughout the year as well as track all money spent for recording studio time, session musicians, talent, and miscellaneous expenses.
Accompanist/Rehearsal Pianist
The accompanist/rehearsal pianist primarily works with vocalists and/or music theatre groups for rehearsals, live performance or audition settings.
Acoustic Consultant
Acoustic Consultants provide complete audio, video, and acoustic design services for performance spaces such as concert halls, arenas, stadiums, studios, convention facilities, clubs, churches and synagogues. Acoustical Consultants can provide an acoustical analysis of a particular venue, identify acoustical problems and make suggestions for equipment or interior design changes for fixing any problems.
Advance Person
The advance person is responsible for arriving ahead of the act to prepare for a concert, and assisting the tour coordinator or road manager with details prior to the show.
Advertising Account Executive
An Advertising Account Executive develops advertising campaigns for a record label's products. This person must be creative, aggressive, have good sales skills and may have advertising experience in another area, as well as a strong knowledge of music.
Arranger (Adaptor)
An arranger provides musical arrangements of a musical composition or song for an artist, band, orchestra or other ensemble. The arranger determines the voicing, instrumentation, harmonic structure, rhythm, tempo and other aspects of an existing song or composition, based on the artist, producer or conductor's specifications. Training in music theory, orchestration, composition, and harmony is required.
Artist Relations Representative
The Artist Relations Representative's responsibility is to represent the label's interest to the artist/band and the artist/band's interest to the label, and maintain proper communication, cooperation and mutual understanding between the two entities. This person's job is to make the artist feel appreciated by the label by thoughtful gestures such as buying flowers, writing letters, arranging promotional appointments that coincide with a new tour, album release or career milestone such as having a certified Gold or Platinum album. If there is a problem or concern that the label or artist have with the each other, the Artist Relations Representative will seek to mediate the situation.
Background Vocalist
Background vocalists backup other singers and musicians on recordings, jingles/ television commercials, or in live performances. They may work full-time or on a free-lance basis, or travel with a performing act, maintaining responsibility for learning repertoire and attending rehearsals. Background vocalists must be versatile and flexible. Those performing on recordings, jingles, or television/radio will need the ability to read music quickly and record it quickly with a minimum of errors. Harmony and improvisation abilities are a plus as well.
Booking Agent (or Talent Agent)
Booking agents work to secure performance engagements for musical artists and groups. They work to find talent to book, and may be involved with developing the talent toward a particular goal. They must possess good communication skills and develop contacts in the music industry. They often work closely with an act's Manager, and may be involved in setting the fee and negotiating with promoters or clubs. A booking agent is paid a percentage of the negotiated fee for an act's performance.
Business Manager
The business manager handles the financial affairs of musicians and entertainers. Most have degrees in business administration with concentration in accounting or management. The business manager should have knowledge of negotiating, accounting skills, investments, and a thorough knowledge of tax laws.
Cantor
A cantor is a song leader in a Reformed, Conservative or Orthodox Jewish Synagogue/Temple Service, or Catholic or Christian Orthodox service. The cantor sings liturgical prayers and leads the worshippers in attendance to sing in a precise and measured "call and answer" type response to his/her own sung part or line.
Church Musician
Jobs include: Music Minister, Choir Director, Worship Leader, Praise & Worship Band Member, Organist, and Soloist. A musician or vocalist that plays, sings or conducts during the musical portion of a worship service.
College/Conservatory/University Music Educator
College/Conservatory/University Music Educators may be hired for a variety of different positions. They may be brought into a school as a general music educator to teach areas of music theory, music arranging, music history, or vocal or instrumental performance. Educators are also hired to coach chamber music groups or to conduct bands, choruses or orchestras. Requires advanced degree.
Concert Promoter
The concert promoter presents, organizes, advertises, and in many cases, finances concerts at performance venues such as arenas, festivals, clubs, church buildings, auditoriums, etc. The promoter often secures money for the concert by finding others to share in the profits/expenses. However, it is often times the concert promoter who absorbs all of the financial risk.
Community Arts Manager
The basic challenge of the community arts manager is to fully integrate the arts into the social and economic fabric of a community. The arts manager must identify the various segment of a community, (business, educational, youth, political, or religious), determining their needs and interests, and incorporating these values and ideas into a viable arts program. They must, therefore, possess some working knowledge of governmental and community processes in order to translate the benefits of the arts into concepts that are easily grasped by community leaders and patrons.
Composer
A composer creates instrumental pieces, either to stand-alone or combined with lyrics. They may compose for a specific situation such as film/TV composers who score/compose music to enhance videos or films, or they may compose for live performance and/or recording situations.
Conductor
A conductor's main duty is preparing an orchestra or ensemble for the finest performance they are capable of presenting. This usually includes choosing the repertoire, planning rehearsals, and possibly planning an entire season of musical events. A conductor must have a strong ability on an instrument (preferably piano), be able to sight-read. A strong stage personality is also a plus. A film conductor should have great interpersonal and leadership skills to interact with film composers, studio orchestra players, music editors, orchestrators and copyists. During a scoring session the conductor is able to hear the comments of the producer in the studio control room and direct the musicians/orchestra accordingly.
Consumer Researcher
A consumer researcher researches and analyzes consumer-buying practices for the record company. This person should have knowledge of research and analytical methods, the ability to write reports, and knowledge of the music business and record industry.
Contractor
A contractor is responsible for hiring musicians or road crew staff and tending to all the necessary contract obligations through the appropriate union organizations. It is in the contractors best interest to provide the best talent possible while working within given budget guidelines.
Copyist
A copyist transfers musical parts from a score onto individual parts. This person must have strong notation and transposition skills, training in music theory, as well as the ability to produce neat and accurate copy work.
Digital Audio Editor
Most of the audio, music, sound effects, spoken word (dialogue) that we hear in TV and film productions is edited on digital audio systems. The Digital Audio Editor works with sound designers, composers and directors to put all these elements together in a highly controlled environment.
Digital Remastering Engineer
This Engineer's responsibility is to take older analog masters, which are on vinyl, 8-track or audiocassette formats, and remaster them for release on CD or other digital mediums.
Editor (print music publishing)
An editor manages and develops a print music publishing company's product line. An editor should have the ability to develop product, topics, concepts, write, compose, edit, proofread and manage the print/production process. Prior experience in creative design layout and in consumer publications is extremely helpful.
Elementary/Primary School Music Teacher
Elementary School Music Teachers work in public, private, or parochial schools. Their duties vary depending on the school and the ages and grades they teach, but for the most part they teach general music in grades kindergarten through the sixth (6th), introducing students to the different aspects of music. They must often follow guidelines for what they teach that are set up by the school music department, district music supervisors, and state music education supervisors.
Entertainment Attorney
An entertainment attorney handles any contractual matters conceivable within the Entertainment industry. Entertainment attorneys can be freelance, hired on retainer or as an employee of a company or business within the entertainment industry. An attorney that specializes in the music industry usually has a solid depth of understanding with regard to copyright laws and artist/band agreements with managers, publishers, record labels, booking agents, etc. Successful completion of Law school and a state bar exam are requisites for being an entertainment attorney.
Entrepreneur (Music Business)
A person who organizes, operates, and assumes the risk for a music business venture. Some common businesses started by music entrepreneurs are: Recording Studio Facility, Private Teaching Studio, Performing Band, Booking Agency, Artist Management, Music Retail, Music Publishing Company, Record Label, etc.
Ethnomusicologist
Ethnomusicologists, simply stated, are translators between an audience or population (e.g., mainstream Americans) and foreign music. They provide insights, understandings, and bases for appreciation of non-western cultural expression. Their translation may take many forms like research, teaching, recordings with informative notes, films about an ethnic tradition, or even arts administration.
Film Scorer/Composer
A film scorer/composer scores music to accompany a motion picture for film or television. This could include dramatic underscore as well as popular songwriting. The traditional role of a film composer is to provide the orchestral dramatic underscore, and only more recently has the popular soundtrack begun to stand on its own.
General Business Musician
A general business (GB) musician may work as a freelance artist or perform with a general business group. These groups maintain a widely varying repertoire to allow them to perform in almost any situation, including weddings, bar or bat mitzvahs, private parties, corporate functions, and dance clubs. GB musicians cover material by well-known recording artists in many different styles, and tailor their repertoire to clients' expressed desires. Many general business gigs may be formal dress occasions, so tuxedos and formal dresses are a necessity. The largest amount of work can be found in performances of this type, and pay is generally very good. A general business band may work through one or more booking agencies, and/or book themselves.
Independent Radio Promoter
The Independent Radio Promoter (IRP) has a similar role as that of a Promotional Staffer at a record label, except the IRP is usually employed by an Independent Radio Promotions Company or they may work freelance. Often times a record label, artist/band or manager will hire the services of an Independent Radio Promotions Company to generate airplay of a particular song or record. The IRP contacts radio station program directors, music directors, and disc jockeys in a local, regional, national or even an international market. They set up appointments with these station people and bring a number of new album releases as well as a supply of promotional or press material relating to the artist or band.
Instrument Repair and Restoration
Before one can repair any instrument, you must know a number of important things about it. A good understanding of the way the instrument is played, and knowledge of fingerings are also essential. A music repairman must know what specialized and common tools to use, and where tools and supplies can be obtained.
Instrument Sales Representative
Instrument Sales Representatives sell musical instruments to instrument dealers for retail sale.
Jingle Writer
A jingle writer is a songwriter/composer/lyricist who specializes in writing music for radio and television commercials. They are responsible for representing their client musically as directed. They must be skilled in all styles, and able to compose well for a very short format.
Live Sound Engineer
This engineer's primary responsibility is to operate the soundboard during a live performance. The live sound engineer is also involved in sound check and the placement of equipment in preparation for a live performance.
Lyricist
Individuals who are talented in expressing themselves with words can develop careers writing words to songs. A pure lyricist would create only the words, and may work as a team with a music composer, or may create lyrics for a previously written piece of music.
Mastering Engineer (Post-Production Engineer)
This engineer is responsible for taking the final mixes of recordings that have been sent by a studio, band or artist for finishing touches such as EQ (equalization), overall effects, and possibly compression.
MIDI Pre-Producer
Whenever a film/TV composer is trying to be hired for a film scoring project, they will attempt to convey their ideas or musical themes to the film/TV director. In order to communicate his or her musical ideas effectively, they will often times hire a MIDI Pre-Producer to prepare their compositions in a MIDI studio where the orchestration can be economically realized. This is much more cost effective than hiring an entire orchestra to record your musical ideas and themes.
Multimedia Developer (Interactive Multimedia Specialist)
The Multimedia Developer specializes in formatting and producing audio content for CD-Rom and websites. They primarily combine two or more of the following formats: text, still images, video, animation, or sound and prepare it as part of an interactive software package.
Music Critic
Music critics are a unique combination of journalist and musician. Their views are published daily, often providing quotes to be used as publicity for performing artists. They affect their audience both indirectly and directly by determining which artists will survive in the performance media and by influencing choices the public makes. Music critics guide understanding of performances and reactions to them.
Music Editor
A music editor is responsible for mixing and synchronizing music to film – mixing the music with the film soundtrack. The music editor must be versatile, musically sensitive, and be keenly aware of how music can make or break a dramatic scene. They must also maintain complete knowledge of the special technology used in synchronizing music tracks to film or tape.
Music Education Supervisor (or School Music Supervisor)
A school music supervisor is responsible for directing and coordinating activities of teaching personnel who are engaged in instructing students in vocal and instrumental music in a specific school or school system. This person may teach a few days a week and administer programs in the remaining days. The music supervisor plans and develops the music education curriculum.
Music Librarian
The Music Librarian is responsible for cataloging scores, recordings and song folios, and they work primarily at an educational institution such a school, college or university. Employers in this field generally prefer a Masters degree in Library Science.
Music Magazine/Book Editor
Someone contemplating a career in music journalism should not major in music. You should address yourself to acquiring and polishing useful journalistic skills. "Music" is only the adjective, "journalism" is the noun; so major in journalism, English, humanities, languages, anything that will improve your word-handling abilities.
Music Publisher
Music publishers are responsible for acquiring the copyrights to songs and publishing them. They may work for a very large music publishing company and perform one or two specific duties as a music publisher. They may also work for a relatively small firm and fulfill a variety of functions. Many individuals in music publishing or songwriting become independent music publishers, running their own music-publishing firm. The goal of the music publisher is to find and acquire potential hit songs (copyrights) and songwriters, promote them for financial gain and serve as copyright administrator whereby tracking, licensing and payment collection can be done efficiently. A good music publisher has knowledge of all facets of the music business, an understanding of music industry dynamics, an ability to hear hit tunes, knowledge of copyrights laws, and contacts in the music business.
Music Store Manager
Music shop managers manage and run music shops including buying and/or selling instruments, sheet music, equipment, and other music products.
Music Store Salesperson
Music shop salespeople sell instruments, musical accessories, equipment, supplies, and sheet music to customers in a retail store.
Music Supervisor (Music Licensing/Clearance)
A music supervisor may act as an Artist & Repertoire scout to find and license popular songs (as source music) for a film, TV soundtrack or other media format. Sometimes the music supervisor may be in charge of only the songs for a soundtrack, and other times he may be in charge of all the music involved with a film, including hiring and supervising the film composer for dramatic scoring.
Music Therapist
Primarily, a music therapist uses music as an aid in healing, relieving pain, providing emotional comfort, and even entertaining patients with various mental and physical health related ailments. A music therapist develops a treatment plan and applies various strategic techniques to accomplish goals for the patient’s improvement. It is also a unique opportunity to help and contribute to improving the life of patients who are at various stages of illness and recovery. Music therapists work either freelance or in clinical settings such as in hospitals, nursing homes, psychiatric centers, oncology and pain management treatment centers, as well as in drug treatment programs, correctional facilities and in hospice care programs.
Musical Instrument Designer/Builder
Musical instrument designers build and/or custom design instruments for sale privately or through a shop or factory.
Orchestra/Group Member
An orchestra/group member plays a supporting role in a musical group as an instrumentalist. A vast knowledge of repertoire, musical skill, reading, and doubling ability are important qualities to develop, especially in the orchestral environment. Also important is the ability to play with a group, and to prepare and know the material before rehearsal. The responsibility of the orchestra/group member is to follow the directions of the group leader or conductor and perform prepared music, in performance and recording situations.
Orchestrator
An orchestrator is responsible for transposing music from one instrument or voice to another in order to accommodate a particular musician or group, and writing scores for an orchestra, band, choral group, individual instrumentalist(s), or vocalist(s). Often times, the orchestrator will also be the conductor during the film scoring sessions.
Performing Artist (Recording Artist/Group)
Performing artists specialize in the performance of music, either original or cover material. Their performing skill defines their marketability. The performing artist may work as a solo act with or without backing musicians, or be packaged as a group.
Personnel Manager (or Artist Manager, Agent)
Personal managers represent one or more musical groups or artists, and oversee all aspects of an act's career. They deal with and advise the act(s) on all business decisions and many of the creative decisions an artist must make.
Private Studio Instructor
A private instructor usually does not work through a school, but gives individual instruction to students on a regular basis. They set their own fees, unless contracted by a music store or teaching group, and develop their own teaching plans and guidelines. Private instructors may work alone out of an office or home, with a group of teachers or at a music store that offers lessons. They may teach individual lessons or offer group lessons. Lessons generally run 45 minutes to one hour and are usually scheduled once a week. They may teach at different levels of skill, from beginners to professionals.
Producer
Producers work mainly with record labels to produce records. They also work with composers and produce sound recordings for film, TV and other forms of multimedia as well. The producer supervises all aspects of the recording process including contracting session players and overseeing the recording budget. A producer may also help the artists select songs to be recorded. Preferably, a producer should be an excellent musician with a lot of performing experience, and have a great depth of musical, acoustical and studio technical knowledge.
Product Demonstrator
A product demonstrator is a musician that is employed by a music equipment manufacturer to demonstrate the company's product line at trade shows and conferences. Usually, someone with strong playing ability as a musician is selected for this role.
Production Assistant
As an assistant to the producer, the Production Assistant handles contracting talent (musicians/vocalists) for sessions, scheduling studio time, placing telephone calls, sending e-mails ensuring everyone is aware of when and where the session will be held, assisting on the session, setting up the equipment in the studio for a session and/or returning it to its proper place after the session.
Public Relations Director
The Public Relations Director supervises the record label publicity department and develops and oversees publicity campaigns. As director, this person oversees all the work that is performed by the staff of the department.
Publicist (or Press Agent)
A Publicist handles the publicity and press needs of acts signed to a record label. A Publicist helps the label sell records and produce income. A publicist must be able to get an artist's name in the news (magazines, music trades, TV, radio, etc.) as often as possible. This is accomplished by writing press releases, sending them to the correct media, talking to media about acts, and arranging interviews. The Publicist often arranges a series of print interviews, radio interviews, and TV appearances in conjunction with the release of a new record. After a new record is released, a publicist may work with the A&R or promotional departments on a showcase booking of the group, and make arrangements for a press party.
Radio Disc Jockey
A disc jockey is an on-air personality responsible for introducing music, commercials, and news on a radio station. DJs should have a good speaking voice and an ability to project personality over the air.
Record Company Executive
This person would usually be employed at a record label and be a director, vice-president or president of any of the various departments or areas therein.
Recording Engineer
The recording engineer operates the soundboard and other electrical equipment during the recording of music. Recording engineers run the recording session with oversight from the producer. They may also be responsible for setting up equipment in the studio prior to the session, and discussing with the producer or musical act what they want the end product to sound like. It is the Engineer's subsequent responsibility to craft a recording that meets the producer, artist or band's desires. The engineer may also be responsible for mixing down the recorded tracks into the finished product.
Recreation Arts Coordinator
With the field of recreation virtually untapped, people with arts, music, and theater degrees have a place to thrive. Although the generalist still may coordinate recreation programs in some areas of the country, the tide may be turning in favor of specialization in arts administration. A department often works directly with community arts groups, acting as a catalyst for their efforts. Among the community groups or activities that a department of recreation can help sponsor are children's puppet theaters, dance companies, county-wide arts shows, local symphony orchestras, community theaters, and local music groups.
Retail Sales Management
A Retail Sales Manager works, runs and operates a retail music store. Duties would include employee supervision, training, ordering, coordinate the timing and arrival of distribution shipments to the store, budgetary and financial planning, and coordinate sales promotions for specific CDs.
Road Manager
Road managers handle the problems that occur while an act is traveling. They supervise equipment, sound, and light personnel.
Secondary School Music Teacher
Secondary school music teachers generally teach in grades seventh (7th) through twelfth (12th), and they work in public, private, or parochial schools. Their duties vary depending on the type of job they are hired for. They may teach specifically on one instrument, or many. They may be responsible for leading a school band, orchestra, or choir, and for putting on school concerts and competitions.
Session Musician
The session musician may be known as a studio musician, a session player, a sideman, a freelance musician, or a backup musician. The main responsibility of the job is to backup the leader of a group in the recording studio, or possibly during a live performance, and play in a style or manner that the leader of the group or the producer desires. In addition to being a good musician, they must be responsible, reliable, and easy to get along with. It is also important to know how to sight-read and be familiar with a number of different styles, and preferably be proficient on more than one instrument. Session musicians are usually hired by a contractor and paid an hourly fee set by the union (American Federation of Musicians). A session musician may work on various types of projects, including television and film scores, records, demos, jingles, and other music industry gigs.
Song Plugger (Professional Manager)
Song-Pluggers or Professional Managers work for a music publisher, and perform the administrative functions of music publishers. They also work to add new possible hits to the publisher's catalog, and to find acts to record these songs, generating income for the publisher. Professional managers seek to have a song covered and recorded by as many artists as possible and attempt to make the tune a "standard." Song-Pluggers rely heavily on their contacts in the music business to accomplish their job, and must have great communication skills. The Song-Plugger may provide creative input into a band or artist's demo since they have a good understanding of what the industry is looking for.
Songwriter
A songwriter writes both lyrics and music and is either a staff writer with a publishing company or a freelance songwriter. Freelance writers may work on their own, or under a part-time contract with various companies, securing single song agreements either under a "work-for-hire" contract or a songwriter agreement. A songwriter might also perform and/or produce their own songs.
Sound Designer (Synthesis Specialist)
Designs synthesized music and sound effects to compliment a film score. The Sound Designer is also employed to develop a sound library of synthesized original sounds and effects for artists/bands, production and multimedia companies and music equipment manufacturers. The Sound Designer uses a variety of sophisticated electronic equipment to discover and design sonic solutions in their work.
Sound Technician
Sound technicians are responsible for high quality sound during the live performance. They usually arrive at the concert sight before the performers and are involved in unloading and setting up the equipment and instruments along with the road crew. The sound technician supervises the placement of equipment, and works with the talent during the sound check to achieve the best sound. They may even work a soundboard during the actual performance.
Staff Writer
Staff songwriters are hired by music publishers, record companies, producers and other production or recording groups. The staff writer's services are reserved exclusively for this employer. Most staff writers receive a weekly salary, which may be treated as a recoupable advance on the writer's future royalty earnings. Or they may be contracted to write "work-for-hire" pieces that are owned and copyrighted by the employer. Early in a career a writer may have no option other than a "work-for-hire" position, but should take advantage of any opportunity to move to a more attractive long-term strategy to earning a living as a writer. Competition for staff songwriter positions is tough.
Stage Musicals/Librettist
Author of words (libretto) set to music usually within the context of music theatre or opera work.
Studio Designer
Studio Designers provide complete audio, video, and acoustic design services for recording facilities. Studio Designers can serve as consultants for designing or renovating studios for select and distinct purposes.
Studio Manager/Owner
The studio manager/owner is the person responsible for running the business of the recording studio and may be a sole or partial owner of the business. Studio managers are responsible for booking acts to record at the studio, scheduling engineers, marketing the studio, and budgetary accounting and providing for all the needs of a professional recording studio. They are also the in-house diplomat, acting as the liaison between engineers and clients.
Studio Technician/Maintenance
The Studio Technician is extremely knowledgeable in the field of electrical engineering, circuitry and audio electronics. This person may work within the audio manufacturer's headquarters and/or conduct fieldwork, such as visiting a client's studio for customer service related issues or product repair.
Theatre Musician
A theatre musician is an instrumentalist that plays in the pit orchestra of a music theatre production. Successful theater musicians double on more than one instrument.
Theatre Performer
A Theatre Performer is a singer/actor or actress who performs in a music theatre production on stage.
Tour Coordinator
The tour coordinator is responsible for coordinating the many facets of an act's tour, including travel, lodging, arranging for services, and budgeting for expenses.
Tour Publicist
The tour publicist is responsible for publicizing an act's tour to both fans and the media through press releases, press conferences, and special promotions.
Transcriber
A transcriber notates musical performances onto a score from a recorded performance.
Vocal/Instrumental Soloist
A vocal/instrumental soloist is similar to a performing artist, and may perform in much the same capacity. A solo artist may also work as a contracted performer with a group or in a recording situation. For example, an orchestra, church group or a recording ensemble may hire a soloist. When performing as a contracted soloist, he/she has a responsibility to rehearse and perform the selected music as directed by the group or project leader.
Still More Jobs!
Audiologist
Bow Repairer and Restorer
Choreographer
Cruise Line Performer
Dinner Theater/Club Vocalist
Music Copyright lawyer
Music Facility Architect
Music Historian
Music Textbook Writer
Musical Theater Director
Nightclub Disc Jockey
Nightclub Manager
Opera Director
Orchestra Music Librarian
Organ Tuner/Technician
Piano Tuner/Technician
Program Notes Writer
Prompter
Scientific Music Researcher
Stage manager
Subscription and Ticket Service
Symphony Orchestra manager
Vocal Coach
Source: Berklee College of Music and MENC
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