INCLUDE MUSIC IN A STUDENT’S EDUCATION…
AND YOU ARE PREPARING THEM FOR BUSINESS
By Suzanne Carr
Time: 1 Hour
Previously presented in 2005 to Music Business Class, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA.
Please note that this presentation was given orally and the outline was a starting point to talk from about the details of being successful in business by looking at what was learned by studying music.
One day at work, I had come to the end of my rope with a fellow sales person and was spouting off about my idea of personal excellence, team work etc. etc. As I continued down my list of ideals, I realized that I was describing things that I had gained from experiences included in studying music and participating in performing groups. I also was stunned to think that the person to whom I was preaching had absolutely no way of understanding that all these things were now a basic part of me and all my endeavors. I had defined an amazing work discipline.
We, as students of music, have gained my characteristics which are desirable in the business world. These make us focused, organized, prepared and successful. They also offer private and public school music teachers another reason to validate the importance of music education.
Let’s look at what we have learned as musicians and learn how they apply in business.
Musician or Businessman
As a musician you have developed many skills which will set you apart in the business world. Businessmen and women spend thousands of dollars on training to acquire these skills and personal habits. You have them already. You have been learning them and practicing them everyday of your life since you started studying music.
Here are just a few…
Hard Work
You understand that you must put in time each day.
You have to work through any emotional or physical issues you have on any particular day.
You are able to complete a task even if you really don’t want to because you understand how it fits into the bigger picture and moves you toward your goal.
Goal Setting
You have a defined goal in mind and you head for it each day.
You know how to portion the time in the day to arrive at your goals in a planned time frame.
You identify your personal goals as well as those for the part you play in the group.
Use Time Well
You know how to set time each day for the important “A list” tasks.
You know how to manage your time – even if it means practicing at 7:00 in the morning.
You know that you have to put in “X” hours a day of practicing to reach your goal on time.
Responsibility
You know what is expected of you in a performing group and are committed to that expectation.
You are responsible to identify what you want to accomplish for yourself and then set and complete the tasks to get there.
You must do it yourself. Others can not “do it” for you.
Honesty
You would never take someone’s instrument or items from a studio or concert venue.
You believe in truth in your personal communications and relationships.
Respect for Fellow “Workers”
You have come to depend on and appreciate your fellow musicians.
You admire and interact with all levels of musicians- students, teachers and professionals.
You are part of a team with an agreed upon goal, and you play your part.
Creativity
You have learned – Musicality; performance excellence; improvisation; composition; ornamentation – all of which help you understand creativity in your music making.
Intuition
Based on past musical experiences and learning you are able to intuit what is needed or expected in a particular musical situation whether it is a rehearsal, class or gig.
You are able to take from the pool of what you have learned or heard and apply it to a situation –
Learning
As a musician you have acquired the gift of being able to learn, and to continue learning over time because of your desire to be your best.
You have learned the goals of the group, and of music itself. The goals of the task – a music performance, and the goals of performing – the how to do it.
Personalize and Apply Ideas
You can take the ideas from your teachers and make them work for you.
Rephrase them; apply them to your situation or problems to meet your goals.
What we do is so specialized and individual as well as being both a physical and mental task
Team Work
Expectations of an ensemble performer:
Your part is learned, you play in tune, you play your best, you have the best result of the group performance in mind, you depend on the fact that all participants have the same goal, and you know that mistakes may mean your job or position.
You have previously spent years studying – bought your own instrument – paid for lessons – and played for free to gain the experience you needed to arrive at this point.
You must be Creative, intuitive, trust others to do their part and follow the leader.
You understand a team goal and can define and execute your part in getting to that goal.
Musician vs. Businessman
Part learned = Being prepared
Musician: On time to warm up for performance at the correct time and location / Businessman: Arrive for appointments at the right address, in time to park and find the specified meeting room before the appointed meeting time.
Musician/Businessman: Performance / Appointment – time, date and location confirmed.
Musician: Specified concert attire, instrument in working order, have your music / Businessman: Appropriate attire for particular customer or circumstances, demo equipment set up and in working order, proposal ready i.e. rechecked and corrected, appropriate number of copies for meeting attendees and bid or proposal presentation “rehearsed”.
Musician: Goal is a great performance/ Businessman: Goal is make the sale, acquire a new client, move the relationship forward.
As a student of music these and many more learned behaviors are now unconscious habits. You have really prepared yourself for a career in business or medicine and many other occupations. And if you are already working, you will now understand why you probably do your job much better than some. Congratulations on work well done!