Through their GRAMMY in the Schools® programs, the
GRAMMY Foundation® produces and supports music programs for schools across the country, such as GRAMMY Camp®, GRAMMY ® Career Day and GRAMMY SoundChecks®.
Learn about all the GRAMMY in
the Schools programs.

Find out more about careers in
the music industry and view behind the scenes footage with our Spoksperson, Trisha Yearwood and Artist Ambassadors, Kate & Kacey Coppola by clicking on the
images to the right.

Instrumental Musician

The life of the Instrumental Musician is a life of study and persistence fueled by an incredible passion for music. To succeed as a professional musician, it is important to take advantage of music education provided in public and private schools, accomplished community groups, and by private instructors. Thorough practice, rehearsing, critiques, and auditions are requirements to prepare a musician for the demands of a professional career. While Instrumentalists can perform successfully as a solo artist, they usually make a better living performing within a group such as a studio musician, symphony or chamber music performer, a jazz ensemble member, or within a musical theatre orchestra. In these cases, having a business background to understand how to manage a performance career is helpful. While highly competitive, a true career can be made for the performer who has technically mastered their instrument, is versatile to work in various music genres, and is committed to sharing their dreams of music performance.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

Master the instrument or instruments of your choice.

Take advantage of all performance opportunities in your school and community.

Commit to a daily regimented practice schedule under the supervision of an accomplished private instructor on your primary instrument(s).

Begin to write your own music and perform with other instrumentalists.

Learn about ensemble performance, theory, counterpoint, melody, music history, composition, conducting, and arranging.

Form a musical group of your own and begin to play small shows in your local area or for friends and family.

Songwriter

A Songwriter is the voice of the music - the words and melody behind songs, musicals, and commercial jingles. Two elements are found consistently in a great song - a strong melody and lyrics with universal appeal. There are many different ways to write a song, however a Songwriter usually freelances for other artists, but may find employment through a record label or publishing company. A majority of Songwriters perform their own works as recording artists. Songs can also be written by a team of writers; one member will lay down the rhythm track, another a melody line, and one more with a lyric. This is a highly competitive career with Songwriters earning a percentage from the sale of a record, so an artist/Songwriter needs to sell a large volume of records to earn a comfortable living doing this full-time. Many Songwriters remain anonymous and are content as the creative voice behind a powerful performer.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

Take classes that involve singing and playing instruments, theater and speech classes will help with an understanding of drama and emotion.

Study all genres of music.

Start practicing your composition skills by writing poetry.

Continue to master the playing of an instrument such as piano or guitar, as it is essential in your songwriting.

Begin to take more advanced musical classes, such as theory, composition, and notation.

Begin to find your own “voice” through your songwriting. Write as much as you can and start to showcase your songs by starting with friends and family or local festivals or talent competitions.

DJ-Remixer

DJ’s are the exciting face of a new music industry. They are the squeezers, the scratchers, the condensers that pull together all forms of music and artistry into a concentrated and exhilarating performance. Although often overlapping, the role of a DJ can range from hosting music shows on the radio to creating rhythmic sonic textures in a club; while a Remixer takes similar types of ideas and re-interprets a song or a record. They spin electronic house music for dance clubs, break new boundaries in technology and on the web, and remix for hip-hop. The electrifying and growing careers of the DJ/Remixer is founded in skills of an understanding of music, the ability to find music and artists, and the talent to bring it all together with entertaining results.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

Listen to as much music as possible and start thinking of ways to combine genres into a performance, both live and recorded.

Start playing records at family or friends events or local community events.

Agent-Representation

Agents seek and sign musical acts and then represent every aspect of their career. They are the middlemen between artist and record label, and the dynamic performer and musical venue. Whereas a manager might supervise decisions on an artist’s behalf and plan career strategy, the Agent will negotiate the deals and book the performances. They assertively juggle business decisions, promotions, endorsements, tours, and creative counseling, all while attempting to skyrocket their clients to stardom in a very competitive market.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

Consider participating on the debate team, gaining the ability to persuade and negotiate and practice creative writing.

Gain a practical application of mathematics as it pertains to business and accounting.

Music Journalist

Career Explanation

Music Journalists bridge the gap between the artists and fans, often discovering new talent or shooting a musician to new heights with reviews and profiles. A Music Journalist requires all the insight and objectivity of any other journalist, while also offering discriminating critical commentary. Whether working freelance or employed by magazines, Websites, radio stations or television programs, Music Journalists use language, columns, commentary and articles for the promotion of the music industry. Job requirements include creative writing skills, the ability to work on tight deadlines, an appreciation of all forms of music, in-depth knowledge of music trends, genres, history, and the ability to recognize the next breakthrough artist.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

Take courses that will give you a firm foundation in music and writing. Courses such as English, journalism, music history, communication, and typing/computer keyboarding.

Join the yearbook staff to write articles about your school and the local environment.

Learn interviewing skills through courses in speech and drama.

Read local music magazines, monthly music publications available at public libraries, and Internet commentaries to observe different writing styles.

Start attending concerts, writing reviews for your school paper.

Producer

Career Explanation

The creative force that is responsible for every aspect of making a record. The Producer helps achieve the artist’s vision by collaborating with engineers, composers/arrangers, technicians and studio musicians, lawyers and label executives, manager and Agents toward the single goal of producing a great record that will sell. It is not essential, but most Producers have a practical music background coupled with a rudimentary knowledge of record engineering. Since many Producers are often musicians themselves, they will be integral in making musical decisions that include arranging and stylistic treatments for the artist. Producers have a passion for music and an ear for the potential ‘hit’ song combining that rare instinctive talent grounded in an eclectic set of creative, business, and people skills.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

Start your music training early; basic music theory should be part of this instruction.

Learn to play a musical instrument, preferably piano. Vocal coaching is also recommended.

Study all genres of music and discover new artists that you like within these genres.

NOW WATCHING

Trisha Yearwood
on the importance of music education

NOW WATCHING

Kate & Kacey
Coppola at Mount Washington Elementary, Cincinnati, OH

NOW VIEWING

Instrumental Musician

NOW VIEWING

Songwriter

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DJ Remixer

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Agent Representation

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Music Journalist

NOW VIEWING

Producer