When a 15 year old Southampton lad entered a competition, to write a B track for the R 'n B group 'Damage' and won, who would have thought it would have spiralled into an internationally acclaimed music career. But for Craig David that's exactly what happened! Having recently returned from the States from his highly successful arena tour he has become one of the UK's most successful artists. Hs recent Number One hit 'Flava' and Album 'Slicker than your average ' plus his 2003 Brit Award nomination for Best British Male Solo Artist establishes that Craig David continues to go from strength to strength.
Not bad from entering into a competition eh? However, this year we have seen countless numbers of pop wannabee's wishing to follow in his footsteps by auditioning for the hit TV shows 'Pop Idol' and 'Pop Stars' with 'Girls Aloud' winning one of the UK's biggest battles for the Christmas number one against Pete Waterman's vocal harmony group (!), 'One True Voice'. If you watched any of these shows you would believe that if you were aged between 16- 25 in the UK, and wanted a career in music, your one and only goal in life is to become a singer!
However, music offers a kaleidoscope of career and study opportunities not only for those who wish to perform. Whatever area you may wish to pursue, though highly competitive, music is an extremely challenging and worthwhile career and offers a high level of job satisfaction.
Performing: Any performing career demands high standards, simply because the competition is so intense. Technical mastery of instrument or voice combined with strong determination and dedication is required. Definitely not a career move for the faint of hearted!
Record Companies: Despite their high profile, record companies are remarkably small and only recruit people with very specific skills, such as producers, PR and marketing personnel, recording engineers and lawyers. Many performers have gone into production in the music industry however this is highly competitive and it is advisable to try and just get a foot in the door - even if that means you are making coffee for the first few months!
Broadcasting: Producing, managing and script writing are some opportunities included in broadcasting. To succeed you must demonstrate a high level of commitment, have an awareness of the media and take every opportunity to gain experience - on hospital radio, on student newspapers and in work placements.
Composing: Very few composers earn a living solely by composition. Most also perform or teach, particularly in their early career. Composers generally train as performers or academics, specialising in composition only at postgraduate level.Education: Some musicians choose to dedicate their careers to teaching, others combined teaching with performing or composing. For those who wish teach full-time there are degree courses available. Many students take the route of first obtaining a B.A in Music and then taking a one-year teaching certificate called a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE). A degree in Education (B.Ed) where you can specialise in music is also available.
Music Therapy: Hospitals, special schools and rehabilitation centres employ music therapists to work with Doctors, psychologists and other therapists. You should study music to degree or diploma level before training as a music therapist.
Copying: The work ranges from writing out parts by hand to typesetting a work on computer for publication. With the availability of good notating software packages, most copying is now done on computer.
Arts Administration: This is a diverse sector, encompassing the Arts Council and other funding bodies, concert agents, orchestras, festivals concert halls and other associations such as ISM. Because arts organisations are usually small, you need to have flexible approach to work and be prepared to seize opportunities when they arise.
Libraries and Museums: For music librarians there is a range of possibilities, not just in city libraries but also in universities and conservatoires, with orchestras and broadcasting companies.
Publishing: Music publishing is based on the production and sale of printed music and music books, the development and promotion of living composers, the exploitation of copyrights and the collection and distribution of royalties arising from performances and sales.
Instrument manufacture and technology: The demand for musical instruments supports a huge range of manufacturers, from individual craftsmen to large international companies. There is also a demand for repairers of all instruments and for piano tuners.
It is generally advisable to follow music education to degree level in order to succeed in a musical career - whether you attend college, university or conservatoire. Specialist courses are available and most degrees combine practical and academic work. The Music Education Yearbook includes a resume of courses offered, or you can write to the Registrar of the institutions that interest you and ask for a prospectus.
So, if music truly is your goal, you don't necessarily have to be touring around the world with a Four Album record deal under your arm to be successful. There are many other ways to make a career out of your passion. However, as the 'Sugababes' and countless other bands continue to show, no matter what your age…anything is possible!
Not bad from entering into a competition eh? However, this year we have seen countless numbers of pop wannabee's wishing to follow in his footsteps by auditioning for the hit TV shows 'Pop Idol' and 'Pop Stars' with 'Girls Aloud' winning one of the UK's biggest battles for the Christmas number one against Pete Waterman's vocal harmony group (!), 'One True Voice'. If you watched any of these shows you would believe that if you were aged between 16- 25 in the UK, and wanted a career in music, your one and only goal in life is to become a singer!
However, music offers a kaleidoscope of career and study opportunities not only for those who wish to perform. Whatever area you may wish to pursue, though highly competitive, music is an extremely challenging and worthwhile career and offers a high level of job satisfaction.
Performing: Any performing career demands high standards, simply because the competition is so intense. Technical mastery of instrument or voice combined with strong determination and dedication is required. Definitely not a career move for the faint of hearted!
Record Companies: Despite their high profile, record companies are remarkably small and only recruit people with very specific skills, such as producers, PR and marketing personnel, recording engineers and lawyers. Many performers have gone into production in the music industry however this is highly competitive and it is advisable to try and just get a foot in the door - even if that means you are making coffee for the first few months!
Broadcasting: Producing, managing and script writing are some opportunities included in broadcasting. To succeed you must demonstrate a high level of commitment, have an awareness of the media and take every opportunity to gain experience - on hospital radio, on student newspapers and in work placements.
Composing: Very few composers earn a living solely by composition. Most also perform or teach, particularly in their early career. Composers generally train as performers or academics, specialising in composition only at postgraduate level.Education: Some musicians choose to dedicate their careers to teaching, others combined teaching with performing or composing. For those who wish teach full-time there are degree courses available. Many students take the route of first obtaining a B.A in Music and then taking a one-year teaching certificate called a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE). A degree in Education (B.Ed) where you can specialise in music is also available.
Music Therapy: Hospitals, special schools and rehabilitation centres employ music therapists to work with Doctors, psychologists and other therapists. You should study music to degree or diploma level before training as a music therapist.
Copying: The work ranges from writing out parts by hand to typesetting a work on computer for publication. With the availability of good notating software packages, most copying is now done on computer.
Arts Administration: This is a diverse sector, encompassing the Arts Council and other funding bodies, concert agents, orchestras, festivals concert halls and other associations such as ISM. Because arts organisations are usually small, you need to have flexible approach to work and be prepared to seize opportunities when they arise.
Libraries and Museums: For music librarians there is a range of possibilities, not just in city libraries but also in universities and conservatoires, with orchestras and broadcasting companies.
Publishing: Music publishing is based on the production and sale of printed music and music books, the development and promotion of living composers, the exploitation of copyrights and the collection and distribution of royalties arising from performances and sales.
Instrument manufacture and technology: The demand for musical instruments supports a huge range of manufacturers, from individual craftsmen to large international companies. There is also a demand for repairers of all instruments and for piano tuners.
It is generally advisable to follow music education to degree level in order to succeed in a musical career - whether you attend college, university or conservatoire. Specialist courses are available and most degrees combine practical and academic work. The Music Education Yearbook includes a resume of courses offered, or you can write to the Registrar of the institutions that interest you and ask for a prospectus.
So, if music truly is your goal, you don't necessarily have to be touring around the world with a Four Album record deal under your arm to be successful. There are many other ways to make a career out of your passion. However, as the 'Sugababes' and countless other bands continue to show, no matter what your age…anything is possible!
