Review
“The title of this book gives just a glimpse of the breadth of information that is actually included. Author Angela Myles Beeching is director of the Career Services Center at the New England Conservatory, and it is clear that she draws from her personal experience advising hundreds of musicians in all aspects of their careers. Although the book is written primarily for musicians aspiring for full-time professional performing careers, the chapters include practical tips and guidelines that can also be applied to music teachers, composers, and freelancers…This book could easily be used as a textbook for a group of musicians to discuss, ponder, and creatively experiment with promoting their own music making and creating their own “career paths.”
“Beyond Talent is a wonderfully helpful book for the professional future of any young musician. Beeching writes clearly and comprehensively. Her book is a must for the library of any professional musician.”–Robert Freeman, Dean, College of Fine Arts, the University of Texas at Austin
“Career specialists and students are hungry for this information. When it is packaged as clearly, concisely, and entertainingly as this book is, it is easy to imagine its addition to the shelves.”–Simone Himbeault Taylor, Director, Career Center, University of Michigan
“An excellent manual for musicians at all levels. Full of practical advice and important information, simply presented, easily understood and ready to use.”–Janet Bookspan, Stage Director and Performance Coach
Product Description
The most comprehensive music career guide available: covers the entire range of career issues most musicians face. Contrary to the standard joke about how to get to Carnegie Hall, “making it” in music is not simply about practice, practice, practice. Today, over 200,000 people in the United States work as musicians. With competition for traditional employment opportunities for musicians becoming ever more heated, today’s musicians must know how the music industry works and how they can tailor their skills accordingly. How can musicians create their own professional paths? In Beyond Talent, veteran music career counselor Angela Myles Beeching offers up a comprehensive guide for musicians in search of work, demystifying the steps to success. A musician herself, Beeching offers her fellow artists the tangible tools and information they need to chart their own career paths. Written in clear, accessible language, this practical handbook covers the full spectrum of career issues that confront musicians. Understanding the unique talents and training of musicians, Beeching presents a wealth of techniques and creative solutions for career advancement in the highly competitive music industry. Step-by-step instructions detail how to: –design promotional materials, book performances
–network and access resources and assistance
–jumpstart a stalled career
–expand your employment opportunities while remaining true to your music Drawing on a wealth of real-life examples, the book untangles artist management and the recording industry and explains how to find and create performance opportunities. Guidance is also provided on grant writing and fundraising, day jobs, freelancing, and how to manage money, time, and stress. Straightforward and reader-friendly, Beyond Talent is filled with practical tips, examples, checklists, sample budgets, goal-setting exercises, and extensive resource listings. This essential handbook goes beyond the usual “how-to”; Beyond Talent helps musicians tackle the core questions about career goals, defining success, and imagining and then creating a meaningful life as a professional musician. Beyond Talent is an invaluable hands-on resource for all musicians for career advancement and satisfaction. It is the ideal companion for students and professionals, emerging musicians and mid-career artists –- for any musician looking to start or expand a career in music.
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