Music careers
The information on this page is aimed at, and relevant to those looking to start a career in the music industry.
What are music careers?
Brighton and Hove has a thriving creative sector, which includes music.
Getting into the music industry is competitive no matter what role you wish to pursue.
For those wanting to pursue a career in the music industry, there are a variety of opportunities and roles that you may be interested in. The industry can be loosely divided into following sections and various roles exist within them:
- Production and studio engineering - music producer, recording engineer, studio manager, programmer, sound designer.
- Composing and arranging – songwriter, lyricist, producer, computer games music composer, jingle writer, arranger.
- Performance and live music – performance artist, session musician, DJ, sound technician, tour manager, crew and technicians, orchestra member, conductor, promoter, booking agent.
- Legal, business and management – artist manager, music publisher, sales person.
- Record labels – A & R manager, A & R administrator, marketing manager, promotions manager, press officer, radio and television promoters (pluggers), new media promoters.
- Music media: TV, radio and print – TV booker, producer, director, music journalist, magazine editor, website editor, presenters, radio DJ’s.
- Education and music therapy – vocal coach, music therapist, music project leader.
(Source: www.bbc.co.uk)
One music
Advice for music makers
www.bbc.co.uk/music/introducing/advice/
Prospects
Prospects is a graduate careers website with profiles on the following jobs, which are available at www.prospects.ac.uk
Sound technician, broadcasting/film/video
Musician
Private music teacher
Music Therapist
Prospects Sectors - Creative Arts
Links to employers, jobs, courses, industry information, articles.
Creative arts and culture
You might also find 'Your degree in Music: what next?' useful: www.prospects.ac.uk
Vocalist UK
Here you will find a job profile for a Music producer.
How do I get into it?
Getting into the music industry is competitive no matter what role you wish to pursue. You need to be able to prove your interest in the industry with not only the skills and knowledge that you have gained from your degree, but also experiences that show you have a keen and active interest in this sector.
These experience could include arranging gigs and events; which if you are organising alone or as part of small team you will be covering many roles; from booking acts, maybe performing yourself, organising a venue, promotion etc.
Any work experience or a work placement related to the area that you are interested will be beneficial to securing a job when you graduate. This may involve long hours or be unpaid, but it could be what makes you stand out from the crowd.
Networking in the music industry is crucial. See our information about being an effective networker.
If you are looking to get into a technical role, such as music producer, sound designer or sound engineer you should keep a record of any projects that you have worked on which demonstrate your technical skills, ability and creativity.
General Information
The following links give general information and links to resources that will be relevant to those looking to get into the music industry.
BBC 1xtra A-Z of careers in music
Here you will find a range of job profiles, from agent to tour manager along with interviews and seminars.
www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/events/get_aheadaz.shtml
BBC New Talent - Music
Whether you are interested in writing your own music, singing in a band or becoming a music DJ, the advice on this website may help you.
www.bbc.co.uk/newtalent/music/advice.shtml
Starpolish – Artists Advice
This is a USA site so not all the information will be relevant to the UK music industry, but there is some good background information.
www.starpolish.com/advice/
Creative Choices - Music
www.creative-choices.co.uk/music/
BPI Music Education Directory
Music related courses across the UK.
www.bpi-med.co.uk/
Look for courses at the university
See the Courses Databases for University of Brighton courses in this area.
courses.brighton.ac.uk
Finding a job or employer in this sector
You should keep up to date with key events and news in the music industry and specifically the area that you are interested in. This will again demonstrate your commitment, enthusiasm and knowledge of the sector.
Music Tank
MusicTank is a business development network for the UK music industry, owned and operated by the University of Westminster - it's purpose; to engage with industry, innovation and change across the music business.
www.musictank.co.uk/
UK Music Jobs
The premier online community for UK music industry professionals. Sign-up as a jobseeker on UK Music Jobs to receive e-mail alerts.
http://uk.music-jobs.com/index.php
Record Production – jobs
Jobs in the recording industry and education for a career in music.
www.recordproduction.com/JOBS.HTM
Trugroovez Exclusive Dance Music Directory
This site features general jobs section.
www.trugroovez.com/music-industry-jobs.htm
Music jobs in academia
www.jobs.ac.uk/categories/music
Guardian jobs – music
http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/jobs/arts-and-heritage/music/
Grapevine jobs
grapevinejobs is targeted at industry professionals in the entertainment & media sectors.
www.grapevinejobs.com/home/home.asp
Vocalist UK
You will find links for jobs and funding in the music industry.
www.vocalist.org.uk/musicians_job_listings.html
Brighton/Sussex based music organisations and resources
Brighton and Hove has a thriving creative sector, which includes music.
According to the Brighton and Hove City Council socio-economic baseline report, Brighton and Hove has key strengths in the following areas:
- Digital media
- The club and commercial music scene
- Contemporary dance, street arts and the promotion of unusual and innovative events.
Their report also recognises that it is often difficult for these small companies to gain access to finance and for people working in these sectors to make the leap from part-time and low paid creative endeavour to full-time professional cultural production. (www.brighton-hove.gov.uk).
Sounds Phenomenal
This is a Brighton music directory which includes links to rehearsal spaces and recording studios as well as local record labels.
www.soundsphenomenal.org/RehearsalSpacesRecording_Studios.htm
www.soundsphenomenal.org/Record_Labels.htm
Access to Music (ATM)
Access to Music run courses at eight studios including one in Brighton. These studios are specially-designed, dedicated music education centres.
www.accesstomusic.co.uk/centres/brighton/
Further information and useful links
BPI
The BPI represents the UK recorded music industry.
www.bpi.co.uk/
British Council - arts
Directory of music magazines.
www.britishcouncil.org/arts-music-publications-music-magazines.htm
British Music, TV and Film Industry Directory
Sound and Music
Resource for everyone interested in 20th and 21st century new music in the UK
www.soundandmusic.org/
Incorporated Society of Musicians
Advice on careers in all aspects of the industry and useful addresses
www.ism.org
The Musicians Union
The Musicians' Union represents over thirty thousand musicians working in all sectors of the music business.
www.musiciansunion.org.uk
Making Music
Making Music represents and supports over 2,500 voluntary music groups throughout the UK, including choirs, orchestras, music promoters, samba bands, jazz groups, festivals, handbell ringers, barbershop choruses, brass bands, and more...
www.makingmusic.org.uk
Association of British Orchestras
National body representing the collective interests of professional orchestras throughout the UK. Has a massive links section.
www.abo.org.uk
Classical Music UK
Substantial vacancy section (mostly professional performers). Directory of UK classical music links.
www.classicalmusic.org.uk
Showcase – the international music business directory
Whether you're established, unsigned or emerging in the music business, Showcase is 'The Bible' that music industry professionals use.
www.showcase-music.com/
Hitquarters
Hitquarters is a music industry search directory, including contact information and individual track records.
www.hitquarters.com/
The Unsigned Guide
The new Unsigned Guide is an 872 page music industry contacts directory researched & compiled specifically for unsigned bands and artists.
www.theunsignedguide.com/
Women in music
Women in Music is a national membership organisation that celebrates women's music making across all genres of music. The site includes a section for competitions and opportunities.
www.womeninmusic.org.uk/
Use your ears
This is a music portal for musicians and the music industry.
www.useyourears.co.uk/
Music Guardian