<p>I'm wanting to go into music management and production and am going to take the Berklee online programs. There are four certificate programs and I'm trying to decide what to do. There's music business, music business and technology, music production and technology, and artist management. Which one seems to fit what I'm wanting to do best?
I have asked about the payment plan they have where you pay so much a month for it. If I take all 4 of them then I would end up possibly spending most of my life paying so much a month paying it off. So, which certificate program would be best for what I'm wanting to do or do I need all 4?</p>
<p>RuthAnn, while the online classes are terrific, keep in mind that in the music business, a huge part of it is in meeting people live and making connections. How will you do this while your pursue this online education? The certificate is nice, but that in itself may not get you what you really want … a decent job in the music industry.</p>
<p>I would try to do some internships first.</p>
<p>I don’t know a lot about that side of the business, though usually artist management focuses on either representing the artists (like a CAA, Columbia Artists management, etc) or on the business side, responsible for handling the artists under contract to them, handling issues, etc (friend of mine had an uncle who did that kind of work). </p>
<p>Beyond that, it depends on what you mean by music management. Do you see yourself as an A and R guy, finding new talent? Do you see yourself as a record executive, making business decisions? Do you see yourself as a producer, shaping the sound and such of an artist? What is it you see? After doing that, then I would look at the course descriptions for the various courses they offer in each program, and see which one works. Another suggestion (I know nothing about Berklee, so this is just a hypothetical), maybe if their standard certificate programs don’t work for you, maybe they would let you design your own program somehow, taking the courses you feel you would do best with?</p>
<p>One suggestion might be to figure out how you want to go, and then contact Berklee and ask them what they think would be a fit.</p>
<p>I also am like SnowFlakeVT, I kind of wonder if an online course alone would help really prepare to use what you learn, among other things, often being part of a ‘real’ program, you gain contacts and such an online program may not generate. I also recommend if Berklee allows it taking a class before deciding on the certificate program, to make sure it is for you, both for the program itself and also doing it online.</p>
<p>I used to work in artists management and have ties to the business still. An online course from Berklee won’t do much to get you a job-- you would be better off doing an internship (as compmom suggests) to learn the business first hand.</p>