“The highest caliber of artistic education would give us clear and usable tools to help us navigate the paperwork-strewn networking maze that is the life of a freelance artist.” So states a recent blog post on the mercurial site, “Ramblings of a Classical Musician.” This is certainly not a new call to action, but given the state of the classical music industry in a COVID-19 world it is a timely warning of the fragility of the classical music market and questions our 19th century conservatory model.
To this end this blog was created. After completing the traditional music performance degree route, I had discovered at the time a nascent field of music business. This approach, which did not originally find its way into the music conservatories of the world, examined the music industry from the managerial and entrepreneurial perspective. It looked at the support mechanisms that exist behind the artist, but are intrinsically fundamental to the success of the artist. Unlike, conservatories that produced great performers, this approached embraced the management, marketing and distribution of music as a commodity. In other words, how to make a profit out of music. The primary focus was in the “commercial” music realm (pop, rock, hip-hop, etc.) rather than the finer arts, which are often the subject of Arts Administration programs. Nonetheless, my background had me always thinking that “commercial” music techniques could be applied to the classical world. Today, after two decades of research and teaching I am witnessing major changes in classical music institutions, the music and entertainment sector, how we consume music, the role of the artist in relation to traditional models and how we prepare the next generation of musicians.
The goal of this blog is to provide the reader (presumably a classical musician, but in our current environment all genres are witnessing similar challenges and opportunities) with information, knowledge, and ideas to create their own identity, and more importantly, their own career in the 21st century music world.
The blog will focus on multiple areas that effect the operation and function of musicians in the music industry. At the Macro-level, articles will examine both national and international markets, economic changes and social changes that have an impact on classical music and musicians. It will examine the complex and often confusing world of intellectual property, leadership and management, as well as general business news. At a mid-range level, this blog will introduce readers to current events, issues associated with the management of music organizations and artists. It will look at techniques from a variety of genres and fields related to the music industry that impact music including the film industry, TV, gaming and sports. It will examine relatively close “relatives” in the fine art sector (including dance, theater, and literary publishing). Learning from fields that are very close to classical music assist in finding innovative approaches to solving complex issues and building a robust and vibrant market. At the micro-level it will highlight achievements of follow musicians who have been pioneering in developing new models in the modern music industry. These stories will hopefully inspire us all to the possibilities of alternative approaches to a centuries old field.
Finally, the blog will examine music in higher education. Not only are we seeing changes in the market for classical music, but the very institutions we train the next generation of musicians, composers and teachers. In today’s world music schools are facing pressures from within the hallowed hall of ivy covered institutions, as well as changes in external environment. As teachers and mentors it is important that we keep up with the current events that effect our profession, the new techniques that assist in developing vibrant programs and curriculum, and be aware of the world in which our students enter upon graduation. Today, we expect the next generation of musician be entrepreneurial, and to flourish in this complex environment, while, as the quoted article states, “know how to sing Gregorian chant”.
I hope you will take this journey with me into the new era. Your insights and collaboration will hopefully build a community of innovative thinkers that are dedicated to keeping all art forms, whether they be in the fine arts or commercial field, alive and vital for many years to come.
The Analytical Musician 