The myriad jobs in the music industry is growing by leaps and bounds and too numerous to go into great detail here. However, here are a few jobs that may spark an interest in this fast growing field.
Mix Engineer
A mixer takes individual instrumental and/or vocal tracks and combines them. He assembles tracks and adds effects for sound quality and aesthetic enhancements. This position is extremely important in the final performance before mass production of the recording is offered for sale. An experienced mixer may take four to six hours to complete one song. If a compact disc (CD) has 12 to 15 songs it may take several days of concentrated work.
A degree is not necessarily required to do this job but college level or technical school training in audio design, recording arts and sound engineering are vitally important. Creative and technical elements of music production and genuine appreciation of many styles of music are important for this position.
Employment may be either a full-time position at a recording studio or a free-lance contractor in many venues. Entry level positions or internships are a good starting point for employment. Being a mix engineer is not a job learned from a textbook but rather by observing and working with an expert in the field.
Event Promoter
Creativity, tenacity and a knack for knowing what makes an audience tick are the staples of a successful event promoter. The basic job of the promoter is to create interest and a “buzz” in what is being promoted. Their object is to get people to buy tickets and get them in the door.
The imaginative promoter uses all the media – radio, television, print and the internet to create and reach a potential audience. Knowing the demographics in the local area is vitally important to promoting the event. Ticket sales can be increased by knowing where, how and when to advertise the event being promoted.
A successful promoter may benefit from an educational background in public relations, marketing and advertising, the entertainment business and production. Organization, communication, networking and good people skills are essential to the successful event promoter. Above all, it’s important to be creative, aggressive and really know your audience.
Other Industry Jobs
Music industry positions vary, some examples are:
- Music Copyright & Publishing
- Concert Management & Publicity
- Music Merchandising
- Record Label Development
- Retail Promotions
- Contract Negotiations
- Business Accounting & Finance
- Music Business Law
- Recording Assistant
Teaching
There are many employment opportunities available to college graduates with a degree in music, as well as those without a degree. People with music degrees usually fall into several categories: Performance, which includes Conducting, Music Education, Musicology, Composition and varied courses in the music industry.
The majority of music graduates enter teaching careers in public schools, community colleges and universities. Public schools require a bachelor’s degree and a teaching credential. A master’s degree is essential to teach at a community college and teaching at a university would generally require a doctorate degree. University level curriculum is very specialized into several categories:
- Performance – music majors with intensive study of instrument or voice can lead to jobs in professional orchestras, bands, choruses, church jobs, pop and rock ensembles and more.
- Music Education – program preparing college students for teaching careers in elementary, high school or college.
- Musicology – the study of music history and literature usually leads to teaching positions in colleges and universities.
- Composition – the study of composing and arranging prepares one to work as a freelance composer or a composer and arranger for professional organizations.
There are many avenues to a fulfilling and enjoyable career in music. One has to have the passion and interest and go for it. There are no shortcuts and the road isn’t an easy one but it can be a very worthwhile and satisfying life endeavor.
Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.
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