Time to take your music seriously – a career in the music industry

Time to take your music seriously – a career in the music industry.

Have you considered a career in music? Many people have a passion for music but believe that it is a hobby and that they will not be able to earn a living from it. Boston City Campus & Business College believes that including your passion in your career makes you more successful.  Boston established a partnership with Soul Candi, who has been a success in the music industry for years. “Most budding musicians struggle to create a career in music. They simply do not know how to get from where they are to where they want to be. In order to create a music career, look into one of the qualifications available at Boston in the music industry”.  So says Blanka Mazimela, Head of Department at Boston.

With graduates of Soul Candi blazing music trails, they are showcasing their skills learned through Soul Candi qualifications. One of the budding graduates from the program is Dwson – who has recently released an album on Stay True Sound. “A former student who did the Digital Music Composition and Production course he’s currently getting loads of props from industry giants, “ says Mazimela.  Others include Vinny Da Vinci, DJ Christos and Liquideep just to mention a few.

Making Soul Candi more accessible, Boston launched an additional Soul Candi short learning programme to introduce graduates to the industry.  Available at all branches nationwide, it is called the INTRODUCTION to Digital Music Composition and Production.  In addition, courses such as DJ101 and Music Business are also offered. (The Digital Music Composition & Production qualification is offered at selected branches only where facilities are available).

What types of careers can you follow with a qualification in the music industry? While you may need to combine qualifications such as DJ101 and a business diploma, in order to also understand the full running of a business, these are the types of careers that will be open to you to explore in music: Performing & Writing,  DJ (Nightclub DJ) Recording,  Record Producer. Record Industry, Music Business, Personal Manager, Facility, Arena, & Club managers, music journalism and so many more!

Music Producers write, arrange, produce, and record songs, whether they are shaping the sound of another artist’s album or creating beats for their own projects. With the growth of home recording technology and boutique recording studios, many producers find themselves pulling double or triple duty as Studio Owners and Sound Engineers.  A music producer will be responsible for every aspect of his business and it’s definitely not all glamourous – one needs to note the amount of admin involved! A typical day will start with checking notes, prepping the studio, checking the functionality of the equipment.  If the studio is booked out it needs to be in perfect running order in order for studio fees to be charged.  While on recording breaks – a producer will attend to admin such as emails, orders, bookings, and accounting. There is a lot of work that goes into being a Producer outside of the studio such as attending rehearsals, meetings, writing sessions, and going out to shows.

Program Directors are in charge of what is produced by a radio station. They manage the station’s programming and oversee the different departments and staff at the station to ensure that the station always sounds its best and suits the needs of its listeners.

Says Mazimela, “As a program director or manager, your plate is full. At any given time, a Program Director’s duties could include organizing promos, making sure the DJs are informed about upcoming promos and station events, sitting in meetings, checking music logs to make sure they’re accurate, working with the music compiler to produce logs for the next day, coordinating interviews with industry influencers and Musicians, and managing and scheduling programming, “.

While the industry appears to be glamourous, there is still a fortune of admin work to be done such as returning emails and calls, dealing people, meetings with PR companies and more.

Whatever direction you choose in music, Boston’s collaboration with Soul Candi will ensure you gain the industry skills you require to start your career in this really exciting and happening industry.

“Music is currently one of the biggest industry worldwide with South Africa being the top destination to some of the world’s biggest DJs and musicians. The industry has a variety of offerings. With some of the world’s biggest festivals annually collaborating with South Africa you’d swear that South Africa is the next Ibiza” says Mazimela

 Contact Boston on 011 551-2000, e-mail info@boston.co.za, visit www.boston.ac.za, or Facebook.