Probably one of the most varied areas of the performing arts world is music.
As with theatre, not only are there
many performance-related training and career options, there is also a
huge variety of non-performing roles within the music industry to
consider.
Within this section, UKP-Arts provides unique insight into this versatile and rewarding side of the performing arts.
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On stage
If performing is your goal, then there are plenty
of different areas to choose from, including singer and/or
instrumentalist in all genres from pop to classical, DJ, orchestra
member, conductor and session musician.
Most musicians begin studying an instrument at an
early age. You can gain valuable early training and experience by
playing in a school or community band or orchestra, with a group of
friends or by getting involved in the school musical or choir.
Following on from school, formal training is
essential. Successful musicians need extensive and prolonged training to
develop the skills, knowledge and ability needed to interpret and
perform music. Private lessons with an accomplished musician/voice
trainer, a college or university course, or a music conservatory are all
options open to you.
Personal qualities
Like any other artist, you will need to
continually work to develop your talent. To expand your employment
opportunities it is useful to know about a wide range of music styles,
but you should be most knowledgeable about the form that interests you
most.
If you are considering a career in music you need
to develop your talent, versatility and creativity. You also need to
have good communication skills, a good work ethic and have a strong
sense of self-discipline. Musicians who play concert and nightclub
engagements and who tour must also have physical stamina to endure
frequent travel and performing during irregular and unsociable hours.
Technical types
If you are thinking about training and a career
in music but don't want to be a performer, there are many career paths
that allow you to use your interest in music without involving
performance. Music producer, sound engineer, sound designer, studio
manager, programmer, music editor - these are just a few of the
technical-based careers available. Technical jobs are often on a
self-employed basis and usually characterised by the need to be
flexible. You may have to work unsociable hours and pay can be
irregular; however, this can mean flexibility in your personal life and
the potential for greater creative freedom.
Learning and training
There are many more technical courses on offer at
colleges and universities than ever before - see the article on page 73
about choosing a technical course. Your love of music will have led you
to think about a career in the industry but while you don't necessarily
have to be able to read or play music, having an understanding of the
roles that different musical instruments play in a production is
important. What are essential are good computer skills and knowledge of
the various software packages used in the music industry. Offering
yourself for work experience in a studio is a great way of developing
your skills and know-how as well as making some useful contacts. Reading
some of the technical magazines such as Sound on Sound is also a good
way of keeping up-to-date with technical developments.
Criteria for composing
Another area of music to consider is arranging
and composing. This also covers a wide range of opportunities including
songwriter, lyricist, film/TV soundtrack writer, orchestrator, jingle
writer and musical arranger. You don't have to be a brilliant musician
but you will find that a good musical ear, creativity, a keen knowledge
of music and willingness to experiment are essential.
There are some specialised courses available at
colleges and universities such as music composition, music design or
film score writing. Some composition courses will also have ties with
other departments, so composing can be linked to areas such as
choreography, devised theatre or visual arts.
Teaching music
If you are a good communicator, enthusiastic
about music and can think on your feet, then becoming a music teacher
may be the career for you. If you want to teach in a school you will
need to follow up your music degree with a year of teacher training to
gain a PGCE - a postgraduate certificate in education - to become a
qualified teacher. Alternatives to this route are to study a 4-year BEd
course or become a licensed teacher. If you prefer, you could give
lessons privately which means you don't need qualified teacher status
but you will need to know a lot about the instrument you plan to teach.
Other areas of music education include music therapist, voice coach or
educational adviser.
Music management
The music industry, like any business, needs
managers. Performing artists need managers to represent them, record
companies need managers and lawyers to look after areas of their
business from marketing to copyright law, and music shops and nightclubs
need managers to run them and ensure they are profitable. So to
consider this area of work you will need to develop your business skills
as well as remaining sympathetic to the creative nature of the
industry. There are colleges and universities throughout the UK offering
courses in music industry management at both further and higher
education levels. Look closely at the ones who have good industry links
and/or that give students the opportunity to do a year of work
experience. This could really help you to get that all-important foot in
the door.
