WORKING IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS ere is a brief overview of some of the information avaiable on the music business. ls not meant to be a complete list; i’s information and sources Ive come across Iwhen researching this book. All the contact details are in the next section, Useful ‘Addresses, or in the body of the text, re formal training in the musi¢ business then there are a Ifyou have access to the Internet this is an excellent ses. The University and College Clearing site at ie London. Also check out the BP. mation on careers in the industry local authority publications for courses website as @ good general resource for (wenw.bpi.co.ul ae My own researches have turned up the following universities and colleges who run courses either in the media or the music business. Qualifications vary from NVQs, through HINDs, to degrees. Some don't offer a nationally recognised qualification but more of an overview with a certificate when you complete the course. Check the course details to make sure they meet your requirements. The list isn't a complete one by any means, and neither is ita recommendation of any particular course. HIGHER EDUCATION LEGAL AND BUSINESS COURSES course. E ‘The University of Westminster offers a BA (Hons) degree in Commercial Music involving music production and music business practice at its Harrow campus as well as, ‘a one-year ciploma in Music Business and an MA in Music Business Management. Bucks New University offers HND and BA (Hons) fuleime courses in Music Industry Management, as well as Audio & Music Technology, Digital Media, Live Production, Studio Production and Marketing. The Continuing Education Department of City University, London runs a number of parttime introductory courses such as ‘Making Music Work: An Introduction to the Music Industry’. They also offer distance learning and weekend courses in Cultural Industries and the Law and An Introduction to the Music Industry as well as Marketing and Event Management. ad APPENDIX Dartington College of Arts in Devon runs a BA (Hons) degree course in Music, which can be performance, professional practice or compositior-based with arts and cuftural ‘management, De Montfort University, Leicester, offers BSc (Hons) courses in Music and Media ‘Studies, Technology and Innovation as well as BA (Hons) in Arts Management and Media Studies. Kingston University offers a fulltime or parttime course leading to a Higher Diploma or BA degree in Audio Technology and Music Industry Studies. Oxford Brookes University offers a number of combined modules involving music, including Law/Music and Business Administration and Management leading to a BA, BSc or LLB (Hons) degree. They may suit those more interested in a general as opposed to a specific legal course. ‘The University of Paisley also runs a BA course in Commercial Music and it stresses the involvement of industry professionals. Roehampton Institute, London Southlands College, has a module in Business Studies and Music within its Business Studies Combined Honours courses. These are either full or parttime courses leading to either a BA (Hons) or BMus (Hons). ‘The University of Sunderland offers a number of combined BAs, including Business and Music and Business Law and Music. Intriguingly, it also offers a course entitled Gender Studies and Music. ‘The University of Wales institute Cardiff has an HNC HND/BSc (Hon) in Music Production and Technology and in Music and Audio Electronic Systems. The University of Glamorgan runs degree in Music Technology and a degree course in Popular Music. For those looking for a more technical emphasis, there is a highly regarded Tonmeister course at my old university, the University of Surrey. This is a BMus (Tonmeister) degree course in Music and Sound Recording. It’s a fouryear sandwich ‘course with time spent out in work placements. The intention is to prepare you for a ‘career in the professional audio industry. Canterbury Christ Church University College runs a ful- or parttime HND course in Popular Music and Technology at its Thanet campus. Canterbury Christ Church University also runs a BA (Hon) in Music Industry Management, Commercial Music and Music: Sonic Arts. Thames Valley University also offers various two- and three-year fulltime courses Covering Music Recording and aspects of the music business, for example Advertising with Sound and Music Recording. University of Salford also offers a BA (Hons) course in Popular Music and Recording. ‘The emphasis is on popular music and music tect , but it also aims to prepare you for a career in the music business or in the recording industry. They say you'll be directed towards modules as a studio performer or producer depending on your aptitude and interests shown in entrance tests, interviews and by your profile. The course is accredited by the Association of Professional Recording Services. The Nottingham Foundation for Music and Media is offering further and higher education courses, as well as commercial training courses for the music and ‘alinThe Academy of Contemporary Music, based in Guildford,~ras linkups with many industry bodies. Part of each course is a module in business City College Manchester offers courses in FDA in Popular Music & Production and in FDSc Music & New Media Management. For continuing studies, the courses are validated by the University of Safford. BIMM offers Certificate in Modern Music, Diploma in Modern Music, Diploma in Songwriting, Diploma in Sound Engineering and Tour Management, BIMM Professional Diploma (Level 5) in Modern Music, BIMM Professional Diploma (Level 5) in Songwriting, Foundation Degree in Professional Musicianstip and BA Hons in Professional ‘Musicianship. BIMM also run annual surmmer schools. The University of Aberdeen has a new law degree with an option in music. Courses in performance studies are taken in the first and second year of this degree. COMMERCIAL COURSES There are also courses run by commercial organisations that aim to give practical ‘overviews of aspects of the inusic business. One of the more established organisations is the Global Entertainment Group. They are offering a two-day core programme called the Music Industry Overview. Then they have a one- and two-day specialised modules such a5 A&R, Artist Management, PR, Marketing & Promotions and Running a Record Label. All. courses are delivered in central London. ‘The Music Managers Forum (MMF) offers short courses called Master Classes to its members and AIM members on aspects of music management and the industry. These are either short evening courses or weeklong intensive ones. The British Phonographic Institute (BPI) occasionally offers one-day trainit ‘workshops. The Music Publishers Association (MPA) holds induction courses anid spec seminars and also runs courses in conjunction with the MNF (www.mpaonline.org. BECOMING A SOLICITOR Ifyou want to become a solicitor, the Law Society can give you information, If you already have a first degree in law, you need to complete a one-year Legal Practice Course and a ‘two-year training contract. A discretionary fast track to qualifying may be avaliable for those who already have relevant business experience. The Law Seciety now includes Media Studies or intellectual Property as optional courses as part of the Legal Practice Course. The Law Society also requires practising lawyers to keep up to date on the law by undertaking further training during their working life. If your first degree isn’ course, Jaw, youll need to do an additional one-year conversion IN-HOUSE OR PRIVATE PRACTICE? Once you've qualified as a solicitor, you can choose whether to work in a private law firm ‘company. Managers don't usually hing companies. They usually use or in-house as a lawyer in a record or music publi r, nor do small labels or put ‘The compétition between specialist music business lawyers is intense. It takes considerable effort, both in and out of normal working hours, to build up a ‘practice’ — a body of clients who use you regularly for legal advice. Without a practice you are unfikely to be promoted to associate, salaried or full partner sharing in the profits (or loss the business. The financial rewards and job satisfaction can, however, be considerable. ‘Those of you who think you would find it difficult to build up a practice, or who aren't interested in becoming 2 full profitsharing partner or owning their own business, may decide to work inhouse instead. That isnt to say that ths is an easy option. The work in- hhouse can be very intense. There's no job security and you have to follow company policy, the ‘corporate lin’. The upside is that the working atmosphere can be more relaxed, you ing a practice or running your own business and it can be a very good way to move into management positions. Itis possible to move between the two. A partner in a West End music law firm left to go inhouse at one of the big music publishing companies and ended up running the whole of their European operation. BECOMING A BARRISTER Instead of being a solicitor you could choose to do a law degree, a follow-up course at a recognised Bar School and a minimum of one year’s training to become a bar Barristers can't be partners in law firms without re-quaiiying 2s a solicitor, but they and often do, work as inhouse lawyers, For further information on becoming a barri contact the Bar Council. BECOMING A LEGAL EXECUTIVE You can also get a qualification as a legal executive. For information on legal executive ualficetions, contact the Insttute of Legal Executives. It doesn't entitle you to become a partner in a law firm but it does give you a legal qualification. it can be done in evening and day-release classes while you're working and it can be a stepping stone to becoming a fully qualified solicitor although this would take many years. You find cutives in firms, In the smaller firms, i itors. Legal executives als additional business qualification such as an MBA (a masters degree in business administration), you're unlikely to get promoted to @ management role. On the other hand, you may not have any desire to go into management and may be happy with a nore ‘management role. NON-LEGAL JOBS For a general overview of types of careers available in the music business, a good place to start would be Sian Pattenden’s book How to Make it in the Music Business. You could also refer to your careers advisory service and governmentbacked enternrise and inh arkicory centres