In the music industry, there are numerous job opportunities. Retail, working with individual artists, publishing, recording, and other fields all offer opportunities. Those with a good ear for music and a business or legal background are best suited for a career in the music industry. Many music schools now offer Music Business degrees, which equip students with the skills they need to start a career in the industry.
Working with individual artists or bands can lead to a variety of careers. An artist manager is in charge of the artist’s financial affairs as well as creative decisions. They are usually well-versed in accounting, negotiating, management, and legal issues. Contrary to popular belief, an artist manager isn’t always in charge of the band’s venue bookings. The booking agent collaborates with promoters and venues to determine what a band can charge.
Other positions critical to a band’s popular success include those involved in touring. Touring coordinators are in charge of the band’s travel, budgeting, and lodging. What happens on the road is specifically the responsibility of road managers. They are in charge of the equipment, sound, and lighting crews. Sound technicians, who frequently work the soundboard, set up and place audio equipment and monitor it during the performance.
Those with a legal background can choose from a variety of options. Copyright, as well as laws governing agreements and contracts between artists, managers, publishers, agents, and others, are handled by an entertainment attorney. They can work in a variety of capacities in the music industry, as artists, record labels, and publishers all require legal advice.
Aside from running a recording studio, there are a variety of careers in the recording industry. Presidents, vice presidents, and directors of record labels are in charge of the company’s day-to-day operations. Artist and repertoire (A&R) coordinators help the company find new talent. They’re the ones who go to clubs looking for new talent. They listen to demos and look for songwriters to provide music for the company’s in-house talent. The coordinators are kept within budget by the A&R administrators.
Concerts or radio stations are used by promoters. Some specialize in performances, paying for all costs up front with the promise of a good return based on how well the event is promoted. A radio promoter introduces new artists to radio stations in order to increase their exposure. They are usually paid by a record label as independent contractors.
To promote an artist, publicists communicate with the press. They promote the artist in newspapers, magazines, and on television in order to get him or her in the news, and they set up interviews in those venues. In order to promote their artists to record companies, they collaborate closely with A&R departments.
There are also numerous sales-related positions available. Salespeople work as direct representatives of the record company to retail outlets, selling albums to them. Once the product is in the store, field merchandisers distribute and merchandise it. They deliver the albums and, if necessary, set up displays.
The publishing industry is another one that offers a variety of job opportunities. Publishers work to obtain copyrights to songs, as well as publish and promote them. Management, promotion, copyrighting, sales, and scouting are all available, just as they are in the music industry.
Another area where those interested in the music industry can find a variety of jobs is retail sales and management. Retail band instruments and pianos, as well as sheet music and accessories, are typically sold in these stores. Those who work in a music store are usually expected to have a basic understanding of a wide range of instruments.
Starting positions are available in every aspect of the business, just as they are in any other industry. As with any other business, those with degrees often have to start at the bottom and work their way up in management. In general, the entertainment industry is extremely competitive, and no one should expect to walk into a glamorous position right off the bat. A career in the music industry can be an excellent mix of business and art for those with patience and diligence who are willing to start in entry-level positions.