Urchin Entertainment

The new year is gearing up and there are many out there who have always dreamed of a career as a musician or in the industry as a support worker. But its tough out there, how can you survive in an industry that changes so rapidly and has becomes more confusing each day?

Time was when anyone could make a success as a musician, just by having some talent and being able to go out and play. And a manager or promoter just had to say they were such and they would find work.

Its all changed now, musicians have to treat their music career as a business, potential managers, promoters etc have so many options for work - but they have to have vital industry knowledge to even know what sort of business to run.

"I just got into a band; we started writing original songs, got lots of gigs, recorded. No one ever said no, we never ran like a business, we never had to do promotion, everything just happened", says Doug Ford former guitarist and songwriter for The Missing Links and Masters Apprentices, "These days its so different, I have to have the right sort of promotional pack for my band, get it to the right people, follow up in the right way. And that’s just gigs, when it comes to recording and releasing work or choosing the right industry professionals - manager, etc - to work with, well that’s a whole other level of sophisticated knowledge. You DEFINITELY need industry training to survive".

The dual Certificate II/IV in Music Industry Business at Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE is unique amongst music business courses because it not only gives you the theory behind the music industry, it also supplies you with the skills to network in the industry, to keep learning even after you have graduated and students have the unique opportunity to assist with the management of the Urchin Entertainment class business and learn valuable practical skills through that process.

Students will learn skills in industry knowledge, copyright and contracts, career and business planning, marketing, events and project management, and grant writing as well as much more. The class participates in the producing of a compilation album, video clips and band photo sessions and learns how to promote using Web 2.0 tools, as well as running regular gigs and in 2009 staged the inaugural Food For Your Ears music conference which will be held again in 2010.

"It’s a great way to learn about the industry and I wish something like this was around years ago, when I forming new bands was struggling to come to grips with the way the 'new' industry works. The teachers have real world, up to date industry knowledge and can really help you forge a career in the all too difficult music industry." says Doug.

The course commences in early February and is a year long non stop insight into the mysteries of the music business. Apply now by contacting MSIT on 1300 657 613 or the web, contacting teacher Andrea Smith - or by checking out the Urchin Entertainment website.