Arts Management/ Administration

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Hello to all,
I am new on this site and am writing for advice on a particular topic. I am, by most standards a serious high school clarinetist; I have won a few local and regional competitions, participated in top summer programs, and was selected as principal clarinet of my all state orchestra. In August I will be entering my senior year of high school. I could potentially see myself pursuing music as a profession, and I have planned to do so since middle school, but my more pragmatic side, as well as my interests outside of music have made me question whether I truly have the drive to practice many hours a day for years without the guarantee of finding steady employment capable of paying a comfortable living wage. However, these concerns have by no means lessened my passion for performing music, regardless of my eventual career.</p>

<p>As these questions have entered my mind, I have had the opportunity to be introduced to the field of orchestra management, if only on a small scale. Upon the resignation of the orchestra manager of my local youth orchestra, I worked out an agreement to temporarily fill this volunteer position. This has afforded my the opportunity to work on fundraising, budget planning, tour schedules, and other, more routine duties involving the ensemble, for which I also play clarinet. Though balancing school, practice, other activities, and my duties as manager has been difficult, I have loved this job in nearly every way possible. </p>

<p>Because of this, I have naturally become interested in the field or orchestra management, however, it is a field which I know little about and know very few people who have first hand experience to relate to me. It seems like an intriguing career path, which could potentially lead to greater influence over the future of an orchestra than one could attain as a musician. Also, it would allow me to remain the field of classical music, about which I am passionate, while utilizing interests in business and communications. I was wondering if anyone reading this may have some knowledge of the area, such as what would be a good degree path to pursue? Also, is the career truly more "practical" than performance, or is it too an overcrowded area with few jobs and even fewer that pay competitive salaries? And of course, perhaps the most pressing question, what schools offer programs that blend quality performance programs with a respected academic university that would allow for a comprehensive education that may be ideal for preparation for this field? I'm sure I know of most of these schools, but I know there are some that I have not looked into. Thank you to everyone who replies, I greatly appreciate your input.</p>

2

<p>I've never felt 'arts management' to be a degree worth pursuing unless it's a short (2 year associates, etc) and cheap (state school) course of study. That's because I think people who go on to major in arts management are just people caught between making a decision. My advice: if you want to be a musician, go major in music. If you want to work a field of management, go ahead and just major in business (finance, management, econ, etc). A business degree will just as much qualify you for your described ideal job as an arts management/administration degree, plus a BBA will open your doors to a whole lot of high paying white-collar careers, as well as prepare you for an MBA, which today is pretty much as safe bet to an eventual 6 figure salary as there is.</p>

<p>So yes, an arts management/admin degree is certainly more practical than a performance degree, but I question that if you want such a degree, why not just go for a conventional business degree.</p>

3

<p>What about going forward towards the performance degree but at a school that offers an Arts Management or Music Business (although I'm not sure that that degree has quite the same focus) minor? You are very articulate, thoughtful and are thinking both artistically and practically. At 17, remember that it's OK to not know for sure! Positioning yourself to be able to do some of both will allow you to eventually make the decision that's right for you.</p>

4

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<p>Actually, I don't agree. Arts organizations need folks who understand their craft AND are good with marketing, accounting, business, public relations, etc. In our experience, these are folks with four year degrees, and some with advanced degrees (I'm talking about the orchestral managers we know). Some were music majors who then got degrees in business or management. Some got degrees in music management (there are schools that offer this). BUT I know no one in these positions with two year degrees...all have four year degrees...at least.</p>

5

<p>It seems all of the arts management folks I've ever had contact with don't have degrees in that. The degrees seem to come from all over the spectrum, but they almost always have music in their background somewhere, and the folks "fall" into their jobs by way of knowing someone.</p>

<p>That said, performance might be a viable degree - you're going to get to know the right people that way. Your volunteer work is going to help - give you some experience for your resume. Another option might be to go for a "simpler" music degree - perhaps a BA, and get some business courses along the way.</p>

<p>You actually sound like you'd be perfect for admin. You like it (all that fund-raising - ugh!) and you have the music background. Good luck!</p>

<p>My D is also open to the idea of working with an orchestra in some non-performance capacity. She has no experience, though, and no idea if she'd like it. It's just one "option" she has on her table.</p>

6

<p>Thank you to those who replied for your input. I have heard the same comments about pursuing an arts management degree at the undergrad level from several other people I have spoken to as well. It does not seem to be the best degree path to follow, at least not until grad school.
Majoring in performance is still by far my most likely choice, although I plan to minor in business or a related subject should I continue to remain interested in management. Though majoring in business as an undergrad may have practical benefits, it may not give me enough exposure to the arts, more specifically classical music. Therefore it would not be the best route as far as making connections in the classical music field or gaining a greater understanding about the problems facing musicians and classical music ensembles.
At the end of four years, once I have a better idea of exactly what career I will pursue, I can go for a master's in arts management, performance, an MBA, or even in a completely new field.</p>

7

<p>Just to throw in my two cents worth: I think a music performance major with a business minor (or even a double major, if that's possible) would be the most practical route for you. The music degree should probably be from a BM or BA program -- not BFA -- so that you will have more electives available in your schedule to take business classes. I think a pure business major, or even an arts management major, is too limiting at this point. I think personal connections in the music world (especially classical music) could be very important.</p>

<p>My niece was a dance major, but was never able to make a living as a performer. Finally after two years of constant auditions in NYC (working part-time as a secretary to pay the rent), she decided to look for a management position with an arts organization. A short time later, she was hired as an administrative assistant to the artistic director of a professional dance company and from there went on to a marketing/development position with a well-known ballet company. However, after a few years, she quit that job (which she loved, by the way) in order to take a job with a Wall Street firm that paid much, much more.</p>

8

<p>Pardon my stupid question but does a BM degree really have more extra time in it than a BFA? Both my kids are BMus, and there isn't a lot extra. I can't imagine a tighter program, but I have no experience with a BFA.</p>

<p>D is at Miami U of Ohio, which has a spectacular business program. We'd love for her to take a few courses (even if it isn't for a major - just for the know-how) but she simply doesn't have room in the schedule.</p>

9

<p>binx, the BFA is very "tight" as well, and is the BM equivalent for dancers, actors, some music theater programs as well as the creative/visual arts of painting, sculpting, et al.. Like a BM, there's not alot of fat in the schedule for electives. This will of course vary a bit given the institution. In most university settings, it may actually be easier to take conjunctive business courses around a BM/BFA, as they seem to have a larger number of lower division business courses in numerous time slots. </p>

<p>Again, the BA (music) degree will afford the most free elective scheduling, as the required credit load of applied music or other artistic discipline courses is less than that required of a BM/BFA. </p>

<p>Coincidentially, I can't think of a BFA program in music other than those offered in musical theater.</p>

10

<p>Check out SMU. Good music department (Meadows School of The Arts). They offer a minor in Arts Administration. SMU also offers a MA in Arts Administration. You earn an MBA from Cox Business School at the same time.</p>

11

<p>The New School's music degrees are all BFA's--just an administrative difference because their music school grew out of their fine arts school; the program is the same as a BM program.</p>

12

<p>My D has a friend who is entering an arts adminstration program at Butler University in Indianapolis. She is a conservatory-level pianist (accepted into two well-regarded programs), but decided to go to Butler where she will continue her piano studies, though will focus primarily on arts administration.</p>

13

<p>I think most of the arts administration programs are master's level. Though I haven't looked at this thoroughly, I believe there are master's programs at BU, Carnegie Mellon, American U and George Mason. Being in a major urban area would give you more opportunities for part-time jobs or internships to gain experience. One of D's friends just landed a position as marketing and PR director for a chamber orchestra after earning a BA in music, but she had some good part-time job and internship experiences along the way. </p>

<p>As a career, you won't make a lot of money working for a nonprofit. For example, I just saw a listing for a part-time (20 hour) executive director position for a pretty good local chamber orchestra that paid $21,000 with no benefits. Major orchestras and other large arts organizations will pay better, though.</p>

14

<p>Just thought I'd put in my two cents from someone who is in college, majoring in Arts Management.
There are very few Undergraduate Arts Management programs. There are many Graduate Arts Management programs. Yes, it is true that a local chamber orchestra will pay little for a high position because most of the time the smaller orchestras, or smaller programs don't have specific requirements for their positions. As others have said, you can "fall" into those positions by making contacts.
However, students who graduate from Arts Management programs, Graduate or Undergraduate are statistically shown to have higher paid jobs in their field. Yes, you can major in music and minor in business, but my advice would be that if you are really looking to pursue this, go to Grad school for a Master in Arts Management. There are classes you take there that allow you to see the business aspect of things with an artist's eye. This is very important to know to be able to manage something that isn't corporate. You will learn a LOT more about the Arts Management business as opposed to just, business. And it sounds like you are interested in the field enough that you would like to learn about it.
What this means is that during college, you can basically do whatever you want. It's almost like being a lawyer - people go to college for music and end up in law school. I'd say, use college to see if music is really not the thing you want to do - make sure of it there. Take advantages of the performance opportunities that colleges can offer while you can still take advantage of them without worrying about potential income.
It sounds like you have some really great ideas about what you want to do and as others have said, you still have plenty of time to decide. </p>

<p>Feel free to PM me if you would like to know more about the arts administration business, itself. But, talking to your music teacher about it is also a good idea.
As others have said, many people end up in arts management as a back-up job after they aren't making money in their original field. Telling a college admission counselor or interviewer that you are actually interested in pursuing it, gives you a big edge. :)
Good luck!</p>

15

<p>clari-jp, arts management is typically a graduate-level field of study.</p>

<p>In addition to operasinger2000's remarks, I suggest you acquaint yourself with the Orchestra Management Fellows program that is run by the LAO. They have bios of their current fellows posted on their website, which will help you see what types of majors/schools/career paths these individuals took to win these competitive fellowships: 2008</a> fellows - League of American Orchestras</p>

<p>USC would allow you to double major in clarinet performance and music industry. But, from what you've said, I'm not sure their music industry major is offering what you're looking for.</p>

16

<p>There is a SUNY (SUNY Oneonta) that has a very well respected Music Industry program, Bachelor's level.</p>