Viewing 17 posts - 1 through 17 (of 17 total)
  • My son wants to work in the music industry – course question
  • wwaswas
    Full Member

    specifically, as a sound engineer type person.

    He finishes his GCSE’s this year – likely to get all of them and on A-C grades.

    So, do we let him do something like a Level 3 BTEC;

    http://www.northbrook.ac.uk/courses/?s=&code=FFDSML

    or encourage him to go down an A level route and then make a decision about further education from there?

    I guess my main concern is that at 15 it’s too soon to be undertaking such vocation specific education?

    headfirst
    Free Member

    There’s an A level in Music Technology that we offer here at the grammar school I work at, combined with other A levels this would keep his options a bit more open.

    jambalaya
    Free Member

    I’d definitely encourage him down the A level route ideally at a place with strong performing arts and then onto University if appropriate. Agreed on the too specific too early comment.

    What he should be doing is getting involved in that area where-ever he can, helping out at music venues, theatres (eg at the college) etc

    My daughter did A levels (English, History, Drama) as that gave her the option of a “normal” degree if she didn’t get into the performing arts degree of her first choice.

    A friend of mine from Uni (whilst doing a maths degree) worked at Uni theatre, summer jobs/work experience at Pinewood and got a break and worked on the comic strip presents films …

    Fresh Goods Friday 696: The Middling Edition

    Fresh Goods Friday 696: The Middlin...
    Latest Singletrack Videos
    MrFart
    Free Member

    I did a BTEC Music Technology and CG Sound Engineering about ten years ago. I don’t work in the industry but do work in a similar field as do most of my old classmates that I’m still in contact with. The course opens up a lot of doors into various technical media position and some of my class went on to study BEng at University.

    I went here (formally Charles Keene) if it’s of any help.

    thisisnotaspoon
    Free Member

    I ‘worked’ as a sound engineer briefly, most people doing it seemed to be doing it on the side (most gigs being evening/weekends) arround other stuff like a degree.

    I didn’t know anyone who went to collage to do qualifications, most people started at the bottom, learnt the basics then did evening classes to get formal qualifications. The rest joined the ent’s committy at university, either in the union or halls of residence if they were big enough to hold big events.

    I’d suggest doing some A-levels, then using it to fund his degree if he starts making money out of it. Most people seemed to just about cover their costs, especialy once you factor in that most seemed to end up owning their own PA kit as they’d make more money renting that out for the evening than they did as engineers for the same gig! So hope you’ve a big enough garrage!

    mickyfinn
    Free Member

    Rule one!
    Don’t ask here ^^^^ Ask here>>> Sound On Sound forum

    grum
    Free Member

    Hate to be a naysayer but it’s quite a tough industry – most recording studios are really struggling these days. Live sound is a bit better but still most venues don’t have lots of spare cash to pay people a decent wage.

    wwaswas
    Full Member

    I think that’s the thing grum – he’s mad keen on music and plays all the time but it’s just a question of whether he could make a living out of it.

    Don;t want to push him down an academic route if he’s not going to work at it and this seems to offer some ongoing education in an area he’s keen to pursue career wise.

    Would be easier if he wanted to be an accountant, tbh.

    We’ve got this place just down the road so we’ll see if we can go along there and talk to them. http://www.bimm.co.uk/brighton

    djglover
    Free Member

    My brother did A levels then a degree in Music Technology,

    He is a middle manager for a facilities management company.

    I would say that entry into the music industry is hard, so having the back up of A levels and a degree would be the best route so that other career paths can be chosen with relative ease

    JamesH
    Free Member

    I graduated from a music tech course in June (this one: http://www2.hull.ac.uk/scarborough/campusdepartments/sanm/creativemusictechnology.aspx) and did a-level music tech.

    Wish I hadn’t bothered tbh, I lost interest after my 2nd year and its incredibly hard to get a real job out of it (currently watching all my mates try to!)
    But as above, experience is the best. No one really looks at the degree/qualifications

    parkedtiger
    Free Member

    What he should be doing is getting involved in that area where-ever he can, helping out at music venues, theatres (eg at the college) etc

    It’s worth contacting your nearest rep theatre or touring house as there’s always paid casual work going – regular fit-ups and strikes, re-rigs etc. Often venues and techie staff are happy to train new people as they often have a low retention rate with their casual staff. It also gets his foot in the door and he’ll start to make useful / crucial contacts.

    Even if he intends to specialise in mixing / designing live sound in the future, a good range of skills is vital (stage management, lighting, and sound) if he’s looking to build a career.

    grum
    Free Member

    There’s other options than purely being a sound engineer – I studied Music Performance and Production at Foundation Degree level. I now work for a charity running music workshops/organising events/festivals etc with the odd little bit of sound engineering involved.

    IME most people making a living out of this kind of stuff have proper ‘portfolio’ careers. I also do photography and graphic design for instance, as well as being a bit of a jack of all trades music wise (I end up running workshops that might involve DJing/MCing, to samba drumming and rock bands).

    Definitely good to do something he’s motivated for, but don’t put all the eggs in one basket would be my advice. Massive, massive +1 to getting as much experience as possible too, whether volunteering or (low) paid. I did a while of volunteering before getting regular paid work.

    wwaswas
    Full Member

    Spoken to him about going down the A level music tech route and onto a degree if its still what’ve wants to do and he seems cool with that.

    Thanks for the advice all. Stw wins again 🙂

    duner
    Free Member

    A degree in Acoustics may lead to better career prospects than music tech. I think Salford and Southampton are the only places that currently offer a course.

    Possible careers could be loudspeaker/microphone design, acoustic consultancy for engineering/construction, stuff to do with radar/sonar – anything that involves sound rather than just music. Live sound and recording industry would still be a possibility but as others say it is difficult to get into and pay is not great.

    A levels in physics/maths/music tech would be a good foundation for the degree.

    RichPenny
    Free Member

    Audio electronics a viable option? Has a connection with the music industry but with much more flexibility. I just did a straight electronics apprenticeship but have worked for musical equipment retailers and distributors, a mastering equipment manufacturer and now a hi-fi company.

    chiefgrooveguru
    Full Member

    I’ve not been hugely impressed by the knowledge and understanding exhibited by those doing more vocational audio courses – I’d lean towards more doing more traditional physics / engineering academically and adding the vocational stuff on the side. If he wants to gain some work experience send me an email!

    cbike
    Free Member

    Yep what Grum says! The practical experience is V important.

    I have a 15 and 17 year old volunteer apprentice. They thrash the studio trained music types from the college next door (Diplomas and HND type stuff. 18 – 25 years) and are actually networking with potential employers. They also have more confidence and will pick up the technical stuff as they go along.

    Physics is what I miss not doing. You could even fail it and it would still be worthwhile. (I fall over with the maths)

    If he is a really good muso then aim for Royal Conservatoire of Scotland type places. They don’t just play violins you know.

Viewing 17 posts - 1 through 17 (of 17 total)

The topic ‘My son wants to work in the music industry – course question’ is closed to new replies.