By: Nygel Haywood

MUSICAL RECORDING ARTISTS AND PRODUCERS: HOW TO BECOME ONE.

WHY DO I WANT TO PURSUE THIS CAREER?

• It has been my dream for about 7 years now. I have been truly engaged in this since my sophomore year. I am a diverse artist . It is in all that I love to do. I constantly find myself wanting to only deal with music, writing, and singing. At this point I couldn’t possibly imagine myself doing anything other than Singing professionally and producing for myself and other block-buster names in the music industry.

INTRODUCTION: CAREER CHOICE JOB DESCRIPTION

Perform music for live audiences and recordings

Audition for positions in orchestras, choruses, bands, and other types of music groups

Practice playing instruments or singing to improve their technique

Rehearse to prepare for performances

Find locations for performances or concerts

Travel, sometimes great distances, to performance venues

Promote their careers by maintaining a website or social media presence or doing photo shoots and interviews

INTERESTS/SKILLS/HIGH SCHOOL STUDIES REQUIRED

Dedication. Auditioning for jobs can be a frustrating process because it may take many different auditions to get hired. Musicians and singers need determination and dedication to continue to audition after receiving many rejections.

Discipline. Talent is not enough for most musicians and singers to find employment in this field. They must constantly practice and rehearse to improve their technique, style, and performances.

Musical talent. Professional musicians or singers must have superior musical abilities.

Physical stamina. Musicians and singers who play in concerts or in nightclubs and those who tour must be able to endure frequent travel and irregular performance schedules.

Promotional skills. Musicians and singers need to promote their performances through local communities, word of mouth, and social media platforms. Good self-promotional skills are helpful in building a fan base.

TOP STATE AND NATIONAL COLLEGES/PROGRAMS/ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as the world's foremost institute for the study of jazz and modern American music, it also offers college level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including rock, flamenco, hip hop, reggae, salsa, and bluegrass. To date, 99 Berklee alumni have received 229 Grammy Awards.[

CONCLUSION: INCOME POTENTIAL/PROJECTED JOB MARKET

Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2012 Projected Employment, 2022 Change, 2012-22 Employment by Industry Percent Numeric SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program Musicians and singers 27-2042 167,400 176,200 5 8,700

Employment of musicians and singers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2012 to 2022, slower than the average for all occupations. Growth will be due to increases in demand for musical performances.

Digital downloads and streaming platforms make it easier for fans to listen to recordings and view performances. Easier access to recordings gives musicians more publicity and grows interest in their work, and concertgoers may become interested in seeing them perform live.

There will be additional demand for musicians to serve as session musicians and backup artists for recordings and to go on tour. Singers will be needed to sing backup and to make recordings for commercials, films, and television.

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"Summary." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013. Web. 07 Oct. 2013.

"Summary." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013. Web. 07 Oct. 2013.

“Musicians and Singers”About.com Marine Life. N.p., 2013. Web. 08 Oct. 2013.