Community Music Worker

What do Community Music Workers do?

Community Music Workers collaborate with a wide variety of local groups, encouraging the use of music related activities to support their development and improve the quality of life of individuals from the local community. A Community Music Worker will often work in areas where there are social, cultural or environmental issues to be addressed. Many of the people they work with come from groups that are considered to be disadvantaged or vulnerable in some way, such as children from disadvantaged backgrounds, young offenders, people with mental health issues, the elderly, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities. Community Music Workers may be exposed to difficult or stressful situations, depending on the nature of the project, but research shows a high level of job satisfaction in this field.

Many Community Music Workers are employed on a freelance or short term contract for the duration of the project. The work varies considerably depending on the nature of the project and the nature of the communities it aims to involve. In some cases, the work is mainly musical and creative in nature, particularly if the role is as an 'artist in residence' for a specific project or initiative. However, many Community Music Workers have a more administrative, strategic and managerial role. Their role may be more of a project management and outreach role with the job of designing and managing the project, securing the participation of local communities and ensuring the involvement of those groups the project aims to reach. Some Community Music Workers employed in an outreach or project management role will be employed in local government, or by art companies, agencies or charities as project officers or coordinators.

Long working hours and weekend and evening work are common, as working hours are linked to project work and the needs of the community. Work takes place in a variety of settings, typically places such as libraries, youth centers, care homes, schools and prisons. There is also often opportunity for outdoor work as projects may involve work at festivals.

Creative work could involve projects such as working with a particular group within the community to compose and create a piece of music for performance. Practical music projects could involve setting up vocal groups or choirs in care homes, or encouraging young offenders to participate in music making or music technology workshops. Other project management roles for Community Music Workers may include working with specific communities to identify areas of need or concern, fundraising, offering advice and support to community groups on involving people in music participation and enjoyment, developing new ideas for projects, coordinating or managing music events and festivals, marketing and PR and collaborating with social and youth workers, art agencies and other groups in the community.

There are 596 music industry professionals with the job title Community Music Worker on Music Jobs

Community Music Worker jobs which have appeared on the Music Jobs jobs board:

Community Outreach Director Durham, NC	01/03/12
Director of Education New York, NY	12/19/11
Music/Drama Specialist Georgetown, CO	12/14/11

Job description sources include (but are not limited to) imdb.com, skillset.org and wikipedia.