Setting the stage, building your career in music: a course for the 21st century musician

Abstract

Institutions of Higher Learning are realizing that students need to be better prepared for the changing landscape of careers in classical music. The new gig economy and changing audience trends have driven a need for classical musicians to pursue a portfolio career of diverse streams of income. “Setting the Stage” is a course introducing undergraduate musicians to the landscape they will enter upon graduation. This survey course introduces, through an entrepreneurial mindset, concepts and skills in audience development, arts marketing, arts administration, and fundraising among many others. Students will reimagine how they engage with their audiences form the stage, in their communities, and in the ever-changing digital space. Students learn what motivates their audiences to participate and attend, as well as identify possible barriers to attendance. “Setting the Stage” can stand alone as a survey course, help ground a new career development curriculum for classical musicians, or invigorate and inspire discussions of co-curricular and intra-curricular course offerings at institutions of all sizes.