I'm about to graduate
with a performance degree...now what do I do?
In the last decade I have relocated five times, first for school, and later for employment. Here's a little
of what I have learned about "starting over" as a self-employed musician:
The first thing to do when moving to a new town is to join its
flute society. For a list of flute societies, visit The National Flute Association and click on Clubs, Activities, and Events -->
Flute Clubs and Choirs. You're
already a member of the NFA, right? If not, join now! Then volunteer to do anything, even if the job
involves picking up trash after an event. Start attending the flute society's
events and introduce yourself to anyone else who is alone. (Yes, this is
scary. But it is much scarier to wonder if you will be able to pay next month's
rent. So take a deep breath, smile, and start shaking hands!)
Next, get business cards made, and pass them out to
everyone you meet. You never know when someone's co-worker's cousin's niece is
going to need flute lessons! Your cards should include your name, a phrase like
"flute lessons and music for your special event," phone number, and
e-mail. If you don't have a website, now is the time to make one to advertise
flute lessons and your background. I used Microsoft Frontpage for my sites. I
really like www.doteasy.com for website
hosting. Choose a web domain name that is easy to remember. It only costs about
$35 per year.
The next thing would be to join an ensemble. This is a great way to
network with local flutists and make friends. There is usually a flute choir in
any middle-to-large city. For links to flute choirs, visit
The Flute Choir Resources Pages
You might also take some private lessons from a local
"hotshot" teacher--a university professor, a symphony flutist, or
a studio musician, for example. This can be a great way to
improve your skills while learning about flute opportunities in
your city.
Be patient, and keep working. It takes a lot of time to break in to
a new music scene. I have found that being a "joiner"--of an
ensemble, a flute association, etc. is one of the best approaches. You meet
people, hand them a business card, do some volunteering, and eventually people
start thinking of you for gigs.
One of my former teachers once said that you have to do
THREE
THINGS EVERY DAY to promote your career. I think that one of
those three ought to be practicing. The other two, however, are
non-music things related to being an entrepreneur. This might
include :
- design and print your business cards
- design and print a flier about your flute studio
- get headshots
- write a one-page and a full resume
- call community orchestra personnel managers; ask when/if they will
next audition for their sub lists
- call band directors and offer a free clinic (at which you pass out
those business cards and a flier on your private studio, of course!)
- take a private lesson from a symphony musician at which you work
on orchestral excerpts
Self-educate yourself as an entrepreneur. I recommend the
following books:
Making Music in Looking-Glass Land: A Guide to Survival and
Business Skills for the Classical Performer, by Ellen Highstein
and Helen Highstein, Concert
Artists Guild, 4th edition. This incredible
book describes how to create your career as a musician. If it is out of
stock, buy a used copy from Amazon! This is truly the best book for classical
musicians. link
to amazon.com
Making Money Teaching Music, by David Newsam
and Barbara Sprague Newsam. How to
successfully manage a
private studio. link
to amazon.com
Practicespot Guide to Promoting Your Teaching Studio, by Philip
Johnston, Practicespot
Pty, Ltd., 2003.
The author, who runs
practicespot.com, has hundreds of ideas
on networking, self-promotion, and the nuts-and-bolts business of teaching.
link to
practicespot.com or
link
to amazon.com
Money Smart Secrets for the Self-Employed, by Linda Stern, Random House, 1997.
How to do taxes, take writeoffs, etc.
link
to amazon.com
Practical
Piano Pedagogy: The Definitive Text for Piano Teachers and Pedagogy Students, by Martha
Baker-Jordan,
Warner
Brothers Publications; Book and CD-ROM, 2003.
link
to amazon.com
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