Task 1 Investigate the range of jobs in the Music Technology Industry.
-Engineer
Music engineers work on the reproduction and recording of sounds through mechanical and electronic instruments as well as using microphones, mixers, audio workstations, amplifiers, etc. There are different types of engineers in the music industry and some of them are:
- Sound engineer
- studio engineer
- audio engineer
- music system engineer
- studio recording engineer
- maintenance engineer
- acoustistical engineer
Such people work in studios or together with producers and to do such jobs the applicant must have university degrees in such study areas.
-Directors and teachers
The directors are the ones who direct a group in the rehearsals or during their performances. Directors make decisions about the music or songs to play in a show or a concert. Directors are also associated to conductors. Conductors work in theatre, stage plays, films, TV scores, and they lead orchestras and choirs. The teachers are the ones who deal with music students and they might teach in schools or in private centres. To do these jobs many times music qualifications are required, especially music teachers and directors.
These are examples of directors and teachers:
- music director
- head of music
- music teacher
- nursery music and movement teacher
- musical director
- songwriting teacher/tutor
- harmonica tutor
- music production tutor
- music school administrator
- video guitar teacher
- violin teacher
- audio engineering lecturer
- sax teacher
- piano and keyboard teacher
- talent recruitment manager
- music business manager
- marketing communication coordinator
- producer
- choral director
- conductor
- strings teacher
- singing teacher
- examiner GCE music
- lecturer in sound and media production
- casting director
- marching band director
- orchestra librarian
-Singers
There are many types of singers and the type depends on the venues where the person sings (church, theatre, stadium, ...), how the person sings (solo, in group), the type of music that is singed (pop, rock, classical, ...) and from the voice (tenor, bass, alto, soprano). Therefore such people might be called:
- female singer
- music band
- solo singer
- female lead vocalist
- gospel choir
- rock choir
- mezzo soprano
- tenor
- bass
- R&B singer
- marching band
- speaking singer
-Musicians and performers
Musicians are the ones who play musical instruments. They might be part of a band, of an orchestra, or they might just play by their own (just like jazz players).
Performers are such people who dance, choreograph a ballet or any type of dance, perform in radio stations, etc.
There are many types of musicians and performers, and these are some of them.
- pianist
- musicians
- guitarist
- DJ
- VJ
- MC
- dancer
- dance development officer
- choreographer
- singer song-writer
- actor musician
- popular music performer
- viola player
- vocalist show team performers
- organist
- piano vocalist
- jazz keyboardist
- trombonist
- bassist
- drummer
- cornet player
- french horn player
- oboe player
- flautist
- saxophonist
- percussionist
- radio announcer
- Internet radio presenter
- radio curator
Task 2 Select two and research the skills and experience required for each.
-Music director
Has to be a well qualified and inspirational musician ready to lead a thriving department with superb facilities.
A music director should have a Master of Fine Arts and Ph.D. in musical programs like conducting, music theory, music composition or in a specific instrument. A school Music Director requires at least a bachelor's degree in a music related field and a teaching credential from the school's state.
A fine Music director should have experience in orchestras, especially in conducting. A school Music Director will only need skills benefiting a teaching position.
Sometimes Music Directors gain additional training for writing, marketing or teaching or they take classes or seminaries in fundraising because they are often called on to perform those tasks.
-Female singer
Needs to be a strong singer with harmony experience, must be hardworking, with a good personalty, motivated and persistent , creative and resourceful, confident and able to accept criticism and willing to promote themselves to people such as bar owners and agents and should have a good memory for songs and music.
The singer should have knowledge of vocal and performance techniques, and correct breathing method, skills in interpreting music, good performance skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational skills.
Task 3 Identify how you might normally apply for a job within the music industries.
There are many ways to apply for a job in the music industry. This can be made by word of mouth, or also by applying where opportunities exist. Some performing jobs are also advertised in a publication called The Stage. In this case the application process would normally involve some form of audition. Someone can also apply online.
If the applicant wants to apply online he has to register in a website for music jobs. Once he is a member he has to create a profile featuring pictures and mp3s, then browse and apply for current industry opportunities on the members Jobs Board. In this way he will know about any vacancy.
Many people get a job in the music industry because they know other people that are connected to it. Most a times it's just a fact of knowing the right people and to have luck.
It usually takes a lot of time to get a way in the music industry.
For example an unknown band might start their career by performing in pubs, or small places and maybe after several years they might be noticed by someone and then be sponsored.
Another example is the X Factor; many unknown singers and groups perform and compete and at the end there is one winner that will be sponsored for a year. Different people made their way through this program, even if they were not the winners. As a matter of fact nowadays people like to show their talent by participating in such programs, wishing to win, or at least to impress the juries and the audience. Some people get great opportunities because they performed well in a play, a found raising concert or a program like Xfactor or Britain’s got talent, and someone who is active in the music industry liked them and decided to contact them.
Task 4 Identify recruitment practices for the two selected jobs
-Music director
There are many different types of music directors and different types of recruitment practices. The common method for the recruitment for music directors is:
- apply directly at the company, school or church;
- get an interview;
- take your CV, career development plan (short, middle and long term goal) and the application form for that job to the interview
-female singer
These are the same recruitment practices for every singer:
- apply through a website or straight from the manager;
- get an interview;
- get some evidences of performances, compositions, any work experience at the interview;
- there is likely to also be an audition in which the singer will be required to sin a number of songs;
- take your application form and CV to the interview.
Task 5 Research the pay scales for the two selected jobs
The average salary for a Music Director is around £33,780 per annum, but the salary depends on the experience.
The average salary for a female singer is around £23,650 per annum but it takes a lot of time before a singer starts earning much.
The average salary for a Music Director depends from where the subjects practices his profession: a Music director in an orchestra always earns more than a music director in a church.
The salary of a singer increases only if the singer is successful. If the singer gets a number 1 hit or if she sells many of her CDs her salary gets higher.
Task 6 Identify the training needed for the two selected jobs.
-To be a professional female singer the subject has to have a good and a strong voice. Many singers start out by singing in a church or in a small band. Most of them are trained in professional schools or with private teachers. Singers should have study drama and arts and follow a program for voice. Voice training is very good but sometimes training requirements depend on the field of music. Some people get a professional training such as the ones you can receive from a private singing teacher or more, in a music university.
-To be a music director one has to possess Master of Fine Arts and doctorate degrees in music programs. A fine arts music director should have experience in orchestras and a prior conducting is essential. A school Music Director needs skills benefiting a teaching position and also a teaching credential from the school's state.
Music universities and their courses
In this university people can decide to study only music, but there is also the possibility to study music combined with an other subject.
The available courses for this university are:
- Classical Literature & Civilization and Music
- Drama and Music
- English Language and Music
- French Studies and Music
- German Studies and Music
- Hispanic Studies and Music
- History and Music
- Italian Studies and Music
- Mathematics and Music
- Modern Language with Music
- Music
- Music and Russian Studies
- Music and Theology
Just like the university of Birmingham there are many opportunities to study music together with other subjects. There are possibilities to study music and a selected language or with an other subject.
This courses are:
- English and Music
- French and Music
- German and Music
- History and Music
- History of Art and Music
- Italian and Music A
- Italian and Music B
- Mathematics and Music
- Music
- Music and Philosophy
- Music and Theology & Religious Studies
- Music, Multimedia and Electronics
- Popular and World Music
The Thames Valley University offers the opportunity to study music on its own, without any other main subject, but with the opportunity to deepen the study of music.
As a matter of fact it is possible to study different aspects of music such as:
- Music (Performance/Composition) (with foundation year)
- Music (Performance/Composition)
- Music and Event Management
- Music Performance (Pop, Jazz, World, West, Urban)
- Music Performance/Composition with Options
- Music Technology
- Music Technology and Music Perf/Comp
- Music Technology and Pop Music Performance
- Music Technology and Radio Broadcasting
- Music Technology Specialist
- Music Theatre
- PopMusPerf (guitar, basso guitar, drums, vocals, key B)
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is particularly specialized in music performance, in fact there are possibilities to specialize in the use of different instruments.
The available courses this university are:
- Brass
- Choral Conducting
- Classical Accordion
- Classical Guitar
- Composition & Contemporary Music
- Harp
- Historical Performance
- Jazz
- Musical Theatre
- Opera
- Organ
- Piano
- Piano Accompaniment & Repetiteur
- Studio Courses
- Timpani & Percussion
- Vocal studies
- Woodwind
Task 7 Identify how to find out where work opportunities exist.
To find out where work opportunities exist people usually go to job centers or they look on advertisement boards or on work websites.
There are different mediums used to advertise job opportunities: magazines, newspaper, TV, advertisement boards, Internet (through different work websites), Job centers, and many others.
Task 8 Action planning.
After looking at the two jobs and after doing some further research for jobs in the music industry I decided to follow the way to be a singer because I think it is actually challenging.
To be a successful singer I will study music, drama and arts A-Level at college. After college I think I will apply for Thames Valley University or Royal College of Music.
At Thames Valley I would study Popular Music & Performance in which I will study musical instruments, but most of all I will do vocals lessons.
At Royal College of Music I would do Vocal studies.
While I am studying at college, and also after college, I will join different bands who need singers. At the same time I will get a private music teacher who can work with me and help me to develop and reinforce my voice and my ability to sing.
I will also attend many music events every time I can and I will participate in music competitions as well.
I think I will actually do everything well because I am very determined and I will never give up!
After university I will work on my personal career and I will start working more as a singer. I will compose different songs and sing them as well. I will rent a studio and record my songs. I think it might be better if everything is done in a band, so I will make sure I can form, or be part of a band. We will be performing R&B music and we will be performing in local places at first, then when we will have the opportunity we will perform in big events.
I wish we have success because I will like to be a known singer or to be part of a known band.
