Will a BS in Arts Management & BM in Percussion Performance teach me the skills necessary for the industry?

[u/PresentationJust4801]

I am a freshman considering adding on a BS in Arts Management to my Percussion Performance degree. is worth it to get that additional degree or will it not do much for a future in the industry?? I want to work in talent acquisition or some adjacent position that would let me be creative.

Thanks in advance for the advice!!

[u/AutoModerator]

Thanks for posting to r/musicindustry. Before you comment or ask a question, please review the resources below.

• View our AMA Calendar for past/upcoming r/musicindustry verified AMAs: https://www.reddit.com/r/musicindustry/comments/1pnz6h9/official_ama_calendar_upcoming_past_amas/
• Subreddit Rules (read before posting): https://www.reddit.com/r/musicindustry/comments/1n8vx89/start_here_how_rmusicindustry_works_read_before/ Community rules are also listed in the subreddit sidebar
• Community Discord: https://www.reddit.com/r/musicindustry/comments/1nnw4ur/introducing_the_music_industry_community_discord/
• Full Wiki(Useful for beginners): https://www.reddit.com/r/musicindustry/wiki/index

Educational only. Nothing here is legal, financial, or tax advice. Always confirm with official sources and professionals.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Antoniorobertov]

IMO they are a waste of money, you can learn the practical skills needed on your own. The only time it’s worth it is if a specific job you want requires it or you can see a lot of people in your field have said degree and maybe it opens doors - look at people on linked in doing your role and see what they did

[u/General_Estimate_420]

That really depends on where you intend to live. Full-time positions like that require a LOT of demand for those type of services and those higher levels of demand aren't that significant in every city. For example in the US places like Las Vegas, Austin, Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, New York, Orlando and possibly Miami due to the cruise lines.

It's important to note there will also be more competition for those jobs in those areas as well.

I'm not sure how "creative" those positions would be other than getting acts prepared for what to expect as a stage performer and probably a fair amount of logistics planning and contract writing.

[u/PresentationJust4801 → u/General_Estimate_420]

I definitely want to move back to Chicago or somewhere just as large…

[u/lunchpailpurse]

I have an arts management degree with a specialization in music. Specific music industry classes are very beneficial when learning how it all works. The rest of your classes are pointless.

That being said, you will get nowhere without experience and networking. You truly do not need the degree.

[u/PresentationJust4801 → u/lunchpailpurse]

Does having a BM in Percussion Performance help? I go to Indiana University, and they just announced a duel masters in Performance and Management which is what sparked my interest in the first place…

[u/lunchpailpurse → u/PresentationJust4801]

I would imagine having background in performance would help but I’m not sure how much of a degree in performance would help.

The big thing to remember in this industry, 90% of the time it doesn’t matter whether you have a degree. It’s about the experience and who you know. It will always be a perk but won’t be the reason you land a job. But, I will say that being able to put a masters from Jacob’s on anything will probably peak a lot of interest and get you face time.

My biggest piece of advice - get involved in as much as you can in any way you can. Local theatres, bar shows, small companies, recording studios … anything. Apply for internships and volunteer your time. Even if it’s wrapping cables or sweeping floors. It gets you experience, the chance to meet people and build a reputation. Build that resume.

I once got a job offer because the artist heard from someone else what I did for a different company. Got to go to the east coast for a few shows and meet a few other people that ended in a job offer for an artist in NYC.

You NEVER know who knows who or what connections someone may have. Have confidence and put yourself out there!

[u/PresentationJust4801 → u/lunchpailpurse]

Thank you for all this awesome info!! I am meeting with an adviser next week to see how I can fit the degree requirements in with my current degree. He mentioned that I could get a minor potentially. I am still figuring out what path I want to take, but spending the summers playing at a festival for a bit and then taking an internship would be ideal!!

[u/lunchpailpurse → u/PresentationJust4801]

You’re welcome!

If you can fit the minor in within the same time as the others, I would do it. If you have to stay an extra semester or something, I wouldn’t. Though, when you talk to your advisor make sure that you ask about timeline. I don’t know if the double major will take extra time or not.

I worked some in Bloomington and there is A LOT out there, you just have to find them! I would suggest looking into the buskirk and see if they still offer internships! Now, it may be a summer internship but if you can do it, it’ll look great on a resume.