The Artist & Repertoire (A&R) Director runs the department responsible for finding and signing new music talent. They are responsible for the budget of the department, managing the staff, hiring new staff and sometimes as acting as A&R manager for larger acts. They are responsible for managing the A&R Coordinators and other A&R staff.
An A&R Director needs a thorough understanding of music and the contemporary music scene. They need to know how music works and how albums are recorded and prod [more.....]
A&R (Artist & Repertoire) was developed when it was rare for artists to write their own material. A&R in those days was concerned with matching artists with songwriters. Nowadays A&R is responsible for scouting new talent, signing it to a label and then overseeing all aspects of the process that leads up to the delivery of all finished recordings. As well as scouting and signing singers and musicians an A&R Scout will often manage the recording process. and be concerned with the development of a [more.....]
An Accompanist is usually somebody who supports a singer, choir or an instrumentalist, by playing a musical accompaniment. There are many types of Accompanist. An Accompanist is often, but not always, a pianist. They may provide musical accompaniment to silent film, dance classes, choirs, or other musicians including ensembles, bands and individual musicians. A singing teacher who plays the piano for their pupil while they are singing is providing accompaniment just as a band or full orchestra d [more.....]
An Account Executive in the music industry is more senior than an Account Executive. They will take more strategic business decisions. They may be responsible for managing a team of Account Executives.
Like Account Executives and Account Manager may work in PR, Marketing or Sales. They are employed directly either by a music company, or by an agency specialising in the music or entertainment industry. They will usually be responsible for a specific client of the agency or company, or a specif [more.....]
A Qualified Accountant in the music industry is a chartered accountant with financial expertise within a music industry organisation, record label or related music company. Professional qualifications in accountancy are essential for this role. An Account may be employed in different roles - as a management accountant, as a specialist account in a particular field or as an auditor. They will work on behalf of Distributors, Artists, Writers, Copyright Societies and Record Companies.
Some accou [more.....]
Working as an Administrative Assistant in the music industry can either be a satisfying job in its own right, or an excellent way to start a career in media or music. An Administration Assistant role can be many things, depending on the size, nature and culture of the organisation. If you are looking for a varied role with the opportunity to become involved in a wider range of tasks you are more likely to find this in a small company, for example a small independent record label or music publish [more.....]
An Administrator in the music industry can take on different roles depending on the size and nature of the organisation they are working for. They may work for a record company, musician's agency, orchestra, music college but whatever the company an Administrator is always a position which is essential to the efficient working and success of the organisation.
Administrator can be a very senior role and can involve managing staff and sometimes responsibilities for the probity of the company [more.....]
An Arranger will rewrite of a piece of existing music with additional new material or flesh out an existing idea or sketch for a singer, a group of performers or other music ensembles. A successful Arranger will work collaboratively with the writer with the aim of bringing out what the writer was trying to convey when they wrote it. They may make changes in the style, arragement, or instrumentation and will add finishing touches and do the creative mixing.
One of the most important skills of [more.....]
An Artist Manager works on behalf of groups or artists to promote the artists' careers and run their business affairs. Their job is to secure the best work for their clients, for the best fee.
The job may include: negotiating contracts and fees, finding and booking events and venues that match the artist's career strategy, advising on career decisions, publicity and promotion, helping them on career decisions such as which record producer to work with, or which songs to perform, and managing [more.....]
Audio Programmers work in the digital games industry. They are responsible for the processing, storage and playback of sound effects and music in the game. They write the software tools and utilities to support the sound and music. It is a highly skilled job and Audio Programmers need a high level of technical knowledge and understanding of a wide range of computer programmes as well as a passion for the games. They will often work both for the game team directly and the software department. The [more.....]
A Backing Vocalist or Backing Singer is a singer who doesn't sing in the lead but sings in harmony with the lead vocalist, other backing vocalists, or alone for effect on the instrumentals rather than singing the lead. Some Backing Vocalists also work as Session Singers. Most Backing Vocalists work on a contract basis, but some many be contracted full time to an agency or production team.
Some Backing Singers may specialise in harmony. They are skilled in hearing harmony lines over and around [more.....]
An Artist Booker, or Booking Agent, works in the music industry to book performers for concerts, gigs and other live music performances. They often schedule performances and negotiate with the artists directly or with booking representatives or producers to arrange terms of contract, dates, and fees. They may also audition new talent. Artist Bookers or Booking Agents may either be employed in-house or work independently. They may specialise in independent bookings in a particular musical genre s [more.....]
Working in the music industry as a Box Office Assistant can be a good way of experiencing the excitement of live performance and playing an important role in keeping customers happy and things running smoothly. A Box Office Assistant needs to maintain high standards of customer service and remain positive, confident and outgoing whatever the demands. They are the first point of contact for visitors to the venue, and will be selling tickets for a wide range of events both over the phone and in pe [more.....]
A Box Office Manager is responsible for managing the box office and supervising the Box Office Assistants and other staff. They have overall responsibility for making sure customers are well looked after and happy with the service. The job of Box Officer Manager is often part of the Marketing Department of the venue and the Box Office Manager may be responsible for maximising revenue from the sale of tickets. They may be expected to provide comprehensive database analysis and other information t [more.....]
The role of a Brand Manager or Product Manager working in the music industry is to help create and implement marketing campaigns to maximise the sales of music from a particular record label, artist, online music service, radio station or other music product. They will usually be employed by a large or well established record label or music company and are likely to be responsible for managing the campaigns for a specific artist or product or group of artists or products. For example a large rec [more.....]
The role of a Brand Manager or Product Manager working in the music industry is to help create and implement marketing campaigns to maximise the sales of music from a particular record label, artist, online music service, radio station or other music product. They will usually be employed by a large or well established record label or music company and are likely to be responsible for managing the campaigns for a specific artist or product or group of artists or products. For example a large rec [more.....]
The role of a Business Development Assistant in the music industry is to support in the growth and development of the company, orchestra or other music ensemble, record company or community music organisation. Their job may be to support growing sales, raising funding and sponsorship or reaching more or different types of audience and clients. The role is very varied and depends on the nature of the business and what their specific needs are. Business Development Assistant may help with gatherin [more.....]
A Business Development Manager in the music industry will be employed by a music company, artist, music ensemble or music organisation to be responsible for carrying out strategy to develop their business, their profile or their organisation in line with what they want to acheive. The role is very varied and depends on the nature of the business and what their specific needs are. A Business Development Manager will manage the team of people responsible for researching the existing market and eme [more.....]
A Catalogue Assistant will be employed by a music publisher, record label, music archive or any company that has a music resource that needs to be made available and easily accesible to users and clients. They may help to set up the management systems for the catalogue, maintain the records and keep them up to date, and help in promoting and publicising the catalogue. The catalogue may be for the general public, specific sectors of the general public such as music academics and researchers, or f [more.....]
A Catalogue Manager will be employed by a music publisher, record label, music archive or any company that has a music resource that needs to be made available and easily accesible to users and clients. They may devise, implement and maitain the management systems for the catalogue, and help in promote and publicise the catalogue. The catalogue may be for the general public, specific sectors of the general public such as music academics and researchers, or for the internal use of the company. Ca [more.....]
A Club Manager or Nightclub Manager is responsible for the cost-effective and successful operation of the club. The character of clubs in the music industry is very varied. Some will offer live music most or all nights, some may specialise in DJs. Whether the club is independent or owned by a chain it has it's own identity and is likely to specialise in a particular type of music, such as dance, house, folk or rock.
A Club Manager's role involves a wide variety of tasks and a high level of re [more.....]
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 vunerable in some way, such as children from disadvantaged [more.....]
Music composers create works of music that can be performed by orchestras, voices, groups of musicians and soloists. The compositions may be in any style, such as classical, rock, soul, rhythm and blues, opera, pop, jazz, funk, blues, big band, country or folk. As well as music for live performance composers create music for film, radio, computer and hand held games and othe media.
Composers create their compositions with rhythm, melody and texture in a variety of ways. Some composers do not [more.....]
A Concert Assistant will usually be employed by an orchestra or other musical ensemble in the field of classical music. Their job is to ensure the smooth running of the rehearsal and concert, with particular responsibilities for the orchestra, soloists and conductor or other musicians. The Concert Assistant will make sure the requirements of the detailed rehearsal and concert schedule are met. These requirements are often set out by the Conductor or Concert Manager.
A Concert Assistant may h [more.....]
A Concert Manager will usually be employed by an orchestra or other musical ensemble in the field of classical music, or by a concert venue. Their job is to ensure the smooth running of the rehearsal and concert, with particular responsibilities for the orchestra, soloists and conductor or other musicians. They will make decisions, with the Conductor or Director, about rehearsal and concert schedule and arrangements, and make sure those requirements are met.
The Concert Manager's task will [more.....]
Music conductors help groups of instrumentalists and singers to interpret and perform pieces of music. They prepare musical scores for performance, and form clear ideas about how they should sound. They then lead a group of performers and help them to realise these ideas, making sure that performers understand their roles and play and sing well together, producing the right notes at the right speed.
Conductors work with a range of performers including amateur and professional orchestras and c [more.....]
An Assistant Engineer will assist the Recording Engineer in operating the soundboard and other electrical equipment during the recording session, usually in the recording studio. They will assist in recording, editing, mixing and mastering sound using a range of specialised mechanical and digital equipment. While usually associated with music production, an Assistant Engineer may work in post-production for video and film, live sound, advertising, multimedia, and broadcasting. They are responsib [more.....]
Recording Engineers (Sound Engineers or Audio Engineers) usually work in recording studios making high quality sound recordings, mainly for the music and entertainment industry. They need to be able to operate complex electronic equipment to reproduce music, dialogue, sound effects and other audio content to the highest quality. This may be for commercial music CDs or albums, radio, television and theatre, commercials or corporate presentations and promotions.
They operate sophisticated elec [more.....]
A Finance Assistant or Bookkeeper in the music industry will assist in the day to day work of accounting and business administration for bands, artists, management, independent labels and new media companies in the music and creative industry. They do not need a professional qualification in accountancy, but they may be working towards one. Starting out as a Finance Assistant in a music company can be a good route in to developing a wider role. It is often possible to gain excellent experience, [more.....]
Music Technologists are experts in producing music using technology. They need to be enthusiasts for electronic sound and experts in using the software and equipment. Many Music Technologists work from home and some work out of a studio, using equipment such as samplers, sequencers, synthesisers, MIDI, drum machines and computers. As well as working in the music industry they may work in film and TV or in the computer games industry.
For a career in electronic music production it is essential [more.....]
Recording industry producers organise all aspects of recording music. Many operate in the traditional way of working with performers in a recording studio with the assistance of a sound engineer. Others use their own equipment to try out ideas but use a commercial recording studio for the final recording. With changes in technology an increasing number of people are becoming involved in producing their own music.
Some experienced sound engineers become recording industry producers. Musicians [more.....]
Professional singers or vocalists perform live in front of an audience or make recordings for broadcast, CD or download. They interpret music by using their knowledge of voice production, melody, harmony, and rhythm. They might do session work for backing tracks, adverts and films. They may sing alone as a soloist, work with a group of musicians or sing with others in a choir. They may sing classical music, pop, ballads or in musical shows.
Singers may specialise in one of many fields such as [more.....]
A Studio Manager in the music industry makes sure that the studio is organised, in terms of bookings, equipment and administration. They are often involved in the business side of the operations and making sure they keep exisiting clients satisifed and attract new business to the recording studio.
Very often Recording Studio Managers will be experienced musicians or producers. They need to be in touch with what is happening in the music industry and all the changes that are taking place in te [more.....]
Sound Technicians set up, operate and maintain technical equipment to amplify, enhance, record, mix or reproduce sound. They work from studios or on location and at live events in a variety of venues.
In the music industry experienced and well qualified Sound Technicians are an essential part of any live performance. As well as their technical knowledge and knowledge of the equipment it is important they have a good understanding of the specific requirements of the music being performed. For [more.....]
A Backline Technician provides technical support for live performances. Each artist, orchestra or band is different and will have different needs, so the work can be varied. they will need to be comfortable with different types of equipment and different set-ups. Depending on the musicians and the type of event the Technician is working on they may be responsible for a range of road crew tasks or they may specialise in a particular area, such as percussion or strings. For a small scale performan [more.....]