The music industry offers a variety of fascinating career paths beyond the obvious jobs like performer, songwriter or producer. In your cover letter when applying for music industry roles, don’t just focus on the flashy on-stage positions – the behind-the-scenes jobs are often more readily available and provide transferable skills for future career changes.
This article will explore six careers in the music industry you may not have previously considered.
1. Music Journalist
Music journalism is an exciting way to combine writing skills with a passion for music. As a music journalist, you could be writing album reviews, conducting interviews with 80s punk fashion artists, or reporting on events like concerts and festivals. Strong writing ability is a must, as you’ll need to craft compelling articles on deadline. An encyclopaedic knowledge of music across genres is helpful to identify artists and pick up on nuances in songs. Entry-level positions like editorial assistant can help you get your foot in the door. With time, you could progress to senior writer or editor roles at major music publications. The ability to connect with readers while satisfying your musical curiosity makes music journalism an intriguing option.
2. Music Publicist
If you love the business side of music, a career in music publicity could be rewarding. Music publicists work with record labels and artists to shape their public image and promotion strategy. Daily tasks include pitching stories to the media, arranging interviews, managing tour press and coordinating album launches. To succeed as a publicist, you need good communication skills, organisation, resourcefulness and persistence. While securing a degree in communications, public relations or journalism is helpful, relevant internships at record labels, PR agencies and publications are just as critical. Entry-level publicist roles focus on administrative work before progressing to talent management. If you enjoy working behind the scenes in the fast-paced music world, music publicity has a lot to offer.
3. Music Supervisor
A music supervisor selects songs for movies, TV shows, commercials and other visual media projects. This means working closely with directors to understand scenes and characters, and then curating a fitting soundtrack from existing or original music. If you have great taste in music across genres, this could be an ideal out-of-the-box music career. Music supervisors are well-versed in copyright law, licensing sync rights for songs and negotiating fees. The job requires a mix of creativity when selecting songs, combined with business savvy to handle licensing negotiations. Music supervisors often start out as assistants or interns for production companies or music houses before going solo. If you love the art of matching music to moving images, music supervision lets you turn your passion into a profession.
4. Music Therapist
Music therapists use music clinically to help improve people’s lives. Sessions involve engaging clients through singing, listening, songwriting, improvising and playing instruments. Goals can include managing stress and anxiety, working through trauma, improving communication and enhancing memory. Music therapists work in settings like hospitals, schools, mental health clinics and rehabilitation centres. If you want to combine musical ability with helping others heal, music therapy is a fulfilling vocation.
5. Live Sound Engineer
Live sound engineers operate soundboards and equipment to amplify audio at concerts, theatre shows and corporate events. Key duties include setting up speakers, monitors and microphones, then professionally mixing sound sources like vocals, instruments and pre-recorded tracks. Advanced roles may also handle stage lighting and video projection. Extensive technical knowledge is critical – live sound engineers need to master audio equipment and solve issues on the fly. Many begin as unpaid interns before assisting engineers at venues. Networking and people skills are vital for interfacing with artists and crew. The role blends creativity with live event production for those keen on audio.
6. Music Librarian
For organised types with musical range, music librarian roles catalogue sheet music, recordings and other materials. Music librarians work for orchestras, radio stations, universities, opera houses and more to maintain vast musical collections. Tasks include classifying and indexing items, digitising resources, fielding research requests and preserving rare documents. Knowledge of music history and theory is useful when cataloguing. Attention to detail is mandatory for properly processing materials. Library science degrees are preferred but music degrees may suffice when paired with internships. Entry-level roles like library technicians can build experience. If you want to merge your musical knowledge and information management skills, music librarian opportunities await.
Beyond the visible careers like musician or producer, the music industry offers a plethora of unexpected professional paths.
