Let’s discuss music & entertainment industry education as it applies to you and your specific needs. Also – many times, it may be in a person’s best interest to invest in the idea of considering more of a formal education to get a degree through a music business school or become involved with some type of industry training via college courses. This commerce or business side of music in America, Canada, Europe and around the world comes from many different ways to generate income and money for talent, services, companies, retailers, and also venues for performing. At some point in the life of every artist, producer, manager, songwriter, singer or musician, the question of, “how much education do I need?” arises. These solutions should be individualized and flexible to meet the demands and ever changing dynamics of the career market.
Advice from Rande Isabella, Instructor of Music Production and Audio Engineering at Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. And so, the music industry is fast becoming an area requiring many of the same elements for participating in it, and making the most of what the business has to offer. If you are first starting out, you will have to determine what element of the music business you want to become involved with. Your particular career goals should dictate the method(s) used for obtaining sufficient education. Why? To avoid some of the tragic mistakes that so many new artists and up-and-coming producers are making everyday that causes millions of dollars to end up in someone else’s pocket. We know that many other professions in life such as medicine, dentistry, law, social work, and other professions require discipline, research, and numerous hours of study to prove one’s worthiness to participate gainfully in the field. Some of the key music industry jobs and careers in the music business are:Music Producer, Label A&R, Manager, Publisher, Music Booking Agent, Songwriter, Artist, Composer, Arranger, Engineer, Recording Studio, Entertainment Attorney & Legal Advisor, Talent Agent, Radio DJ, Music Program Director, Live Music Performer, Radio Personality, Music Business Consultant, PR, Music Marketing & Promotion, Talent Coordinator, Studio Musician, Touring Musician, Background Vocalist, Concert Promoter, Choreographer, Label Administration, Business Manager, Talent Scout, Distributor, Video Professionals, and other industry related gigs.
Should you go back to college? Or are there alternative ways of obtaining an education sufficient for securing a position within the industry.Criteria for determining the best course of action for you should not be based on what others have done or what a particular school has developed. Many are gifted, and have a passion and drive to be on the creative; “talent”, performer side of the industry. This discussion is for the purpose of giving a real world look at music industry academia and its value and importance in the lives of today’s music industry professionals. But, there are numerous opportunities, and people that are more suited to be on the management, administrative, executive and company support side of the industry. As an on the rise artist, producer, songwriter, manager, or indie label, you must plan for success.
The various ways of generating money in music come from (but are not limited to) Producing, performing, recording, record production, beats for sale, distribution, music publishing, record labels, licensing, talent management; artists, songwriters, performers, musicians, and more; promotion and marketing, sales, concerts, radio, video, tv, film, soundtracks, synchronization, copyrights, legal services, audio professionals; engineers, mixing, mastering services, music education and more.