GETTING JOBS IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS

The music business is undoubtedly one of the 'sexiest' fields in which to work, according to a recent survey by the editors of Time magazine. There are music business jobs that need nearly any skill set that you can bring to the job, and the training needd varies with each of the music business jobs that may interest you. Here are some general guidelines for finding work in music business jobs.

Love Music.

It's not a prerequisite for music business jobs, but loving music of any kind is a definite step in the right direction. While loving music may not be important in a record company accountant's position, it's practically needd for anyone who works with artists or in promotion.

Check the qualifications for the job.

In general, most jobs in the music business need at least a two year university degree - with the exception of performers who can get by without a degree if they have talent. Expect that the more involved the job, the higher your level of education and/or experience will need to be. A record promoter may need to demonstrate networking skills or developed contacts in the local music scene, for instance, and a contracts lawyer will obviously need a law degree. Music teachers working for the schools will need to have a teaching license as well as the demonstrated ability to play an instrument.

The best training is on the job training.

For positions like band manager, road work, publicists and promoters, the best training is through an internship or through your own work promoting and/or managing a band on your own. Some publicists and promoters come to the job from their own fanzines, or have developed a network of contacts in radio and advertising through their university or teen year extracurricular activities.

A degree in music is respected in many music business jobs.

Universitys that specialize in music education like the Berklee School for the Performing Arts offer training in many different aspects of the music business. You can study music and performance law, accounting for the music business, and business management for music companies as well as composition, performance and other music-specific jobs.

Join the band.

One of the best training grounds for a career in orchestral music is your school or university band. If you're already beyond the school years, take advantage of county and city music societies to both train your ear and keep in the practice of playing with others.

Music ministry jobs often need special certifications.

If you have a calling to a job in music ministry, you'll find that many churches and synagogues need that their full time music minister have pastoral training as well as musical training. The American Guild of Organists and the National Council of Pastoral Musicians offer professional certifications at a number of levels.

Music therapists need a bachelor's degree in music therapy from one of the approved universities that teach music therapy.

In addition to regular studies, the bachelors in music therapy needs 1200 hours of clinical practice.

The need for training for music business jobs are varied, but this is a brief overview of the training need for some of the major careers in the music business.