BEYOND THE BARS: A MUSIC EXPOSE

Just a few days ago I attended the 1st Performing Arts Conference and had a chance to listen to artists who have made it big in the music industry. One of these musicians was Eric Wainaina famously known for his hit song “Daima mimi mkenya”. When giving his presentation he got emotional, a feeling shared by everyone present in the conference by how society has degraded music as a career.

He gave his testimony on his life, how his life wouldn’t be where it is without a career in music. Throughout his career, he is now a successful musician, songwriter, record engineer and also participated in the writing of musical films among many other titles. Eric Wainaina is among many other people in the music industry who can testify that a career in music is as valuable as any other.

We have come to a realization that there is a gap between having an interest in a music career and actually taking up music as a career. This has been as a result of the one question we all aim to answer when taking up a course. What next after a music career?

To bridge this gap, we have taken it upon ourselves as Talanta Institute to train and direct you to the “What next after successfully undertaking a music course?” Some of the opportunities in a music career include:

A?Performing Artist is one of the many opportunities available for you. As a performing artist you get to perform before a live audience. A music degree offers not only technical training but also helps aspiring singers or instrumentalists gain a better feel for the demands of the industry. Additionally,?performing artists?emerge with a strong professional network they can draw on for support.

?You can also be a Songwriter. If you constantly find yourself toying with ideas for new songs or albums, you are best suited to a?career in composing or songwriting.?This pursuit can involve a broad range of genres and artists.

Closely related to a song writer you can be a Composer. They are sometimes referred to as jingle writers. They develop music primarily for marketing purposes. Commercial composers must consider not only how to craft a catchy tune, but also whether it will appeal to a mass audience. They are responsible for conveying a company’s brand or mission in just a few notes.

?Another opportunity is a Sound Engineer. One thing we should know is that it takes more than a talented singer or instrumentalist to create a quality record. Audio engineers work hard to ensure that artists’ talents are accurately reflected in the final product. Many?audio engineers work in theaters or concert venues. Others deliver stellar sound quality at sporting events or corporate functions.

?In addition, you can be a Record Producer. Record Producers handle technical concerns and also take considerable artistic licenses. For example, some record producers actively contribute to writing songs, while others may make significant changes to existing material to ensure it produces a cohesive track or album. In addition to directing and manipulating tracks, many producers handle management essentials such as personnel and budgetary matters.?

You can also be a Talent Agent. Talent agents are best known for booking appearances on their clients’ behalf, but their work extends well beyond initial contracts. In addition to working with venues, agents help artists score television appearances, interviews, and even tour sponsorships. Agents’ careful coordination can prevent artists from traveling excessively between appearances or otherwise overextending themselves.

?Another great opportunity for you is a Music Teacher. A music teacher infuses new generations with a love of music. The field of music education can be surprisingly broad. Teachers may work on a strictly one-on-one basis or with large groups of students. It takes a special skill set to succeed in music education.

Moreover, you can be a production manager. Production managers are responsible for booking talent, managing sound and lighting crews, maintaining vendor records, and overseeing budgetary concerns. Additionally, production managers may handle rental agreements, labor agreements, and insurance policies.

?Among many other opportunities is a ?Music Programmer. Music programmers?combine technical prowess with music industry experience to develop quality stations and playlists for listeners on a variety of platforms. Programmers may also be responsible for developing strong relationships with key industry players to ensure that the platforms they represent offer quality podcasts, videos, and other content.

Let no one stop you from pursuing the career of your dreams. You now have a variety of choices for your music career so believe in yourself and turn your dream into something beautiful.