If you intend to expand your passion for music into a career, you should know that, as with all creative careers, the music world is extremely competitive, and music-related jobs are in high demand.
This should not put you off from this career direction, though, as many people manage to be successful in the music industry, as there are numerous routes you can take. If you want to make something of yourself in the music world but are worried that this is just a dream that you cannot act upon, here are some tips for those looking to get a career in music.
Get a Degree
Although you might think that your ability to get a career in music rests on your talent alone, this is not the case. Many music professionals have trained for many years and have the qualifications to show for their commitment.
Rather than ignoring academia altogether, you should instead work on achieving a degree in music that can help you understand everything you need to know about music and prepare you for a career within the musical world. If you have decided that Harvard’s music department is the one that you want to study in, you should then research Harvard GPA requirements to ensure that you are eligible for their courses.
However, you do not always have to take a qualification in music for college to be beneficial to you. In fact, for some, it is the best option to study for a qualification outside of the musical domain so that you can have a backup qualification if you need it and so that you can make money while you work your way up to the top of the music world.
Instead of forcing yourself to get a qualification in music, you should prioritize getting a degree in a subject you are passionate about and would not mind working in if a musical career was not your goal. Places like Harvard will offer plenty of different study options.
Immerse Yourself in Music
There is no point in saying that you are passionate about music and want a musical career if you do not spend most of your time immersed in the world of music. Not only can this give you inspiration for your own music, but knowing what is going on in the world of music is important if you want to get a career in it.
Instead of spending all of your time studying or working, you should try to go to concerts, listen to new albums, speak to other musicians, visit the theatre and orchestras, and read music journals and magazines.
This will help you to get an idea of the trends in music and will ensure that you can constantly keep your passion for music as alive as possible. This can also be a good way of meeting new inspirational musicians who you can connect with and who might be able to give you a different perspective on music.
Do Not Give Up
If you do not make it immediately or do not get the career that you want as soon as you leave college, you may be tempted to give up and follow a more traditional career path.
Although you might need to do this for some time to make money, it is important to keep your dream of getting a career in music at the back of your mind rather than losing sight of it completely. It takes time to get known and recognized in music, and you might not always have the experience and skills that you need to get your dream job off the bat.
Therefore, instead of feeling as if you are not good enough if you are not able to achieve your dreams immediately, you should keep working toward your goals and keep working on bettering yourself and your skills, as this will eventually pay off and, even if it happens in many years, you will one day be able to get the career that you are desperate for.
Think About Different Roles
When you were younger, your view of the music industry may have been in black and white, and you may have wanted to be a musician of nothing. However, there are many more roles in the world of music than simply that of those playing their instruments on stage.
Many individuals work together to help the world of music to run, and your interests may start to change and align with one of these other roles, such as that of a music technician or manager.
Not only may some of these roles be easier to find an open door to, but they can also help you get a starting point from which you can direct your energies more efficiently toward your end career goal.
Working anywhere in the music industry will also give you experience of what exactly happens within it, and you can then apply this knowledge further along the line in your career. Consider researching alternative roles or speaking to a career counselor about the other options there are for a career in music.
Get a Mentor
The world of music can be daunting for those without a mentor, especially if you are reasonably young or have not worked within the music industry before. Not only this, but the world of music can feel exclusive, and you may struggle to get your foot in the door.
However, by finding a mentor, they can help you hone your talents and even put a good word in for you with employers who may be potentially interested in hiring you. However, you should not just opt for any old mentor; look for one who you click with and who genuinely cares about your career and you as a person.
This will ensure that you always have someone on your side throughout many of the challenges ahead. You don’t want to find a mentor that doesn’t give you the time or help you actually need.
