The Musician's Career Guide

Turning Your Talent into Sustained Success

Ulysses Owens, Arlen Gargagliano

• Publisher: Allworth
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781621537779
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Music & Business

An Engaging and Accessible Guide to Achieving Sustained Access in the Music Industry As a musician, how can you blend art and survival and still keep loving the business? The Musician's Career Guide, written from the perspective of someone who has engaged in the daily struggle that all artists encounter, provides clear strategic support and advice in a knowledgeable, reader-friendly voice.From preparing for an audition to business planning to protecting one's mental and emotional well-being, The Musician's Career Guide marries practical tips with in-depth resources, anecdotes and stories to learn from, and comments for consideration and self-reflection.This book is a tool musicians can use todevelop a realistic roadmap for success in the careers they desire. Part textbook, part self-directed learning tool, and full mentor, this information-packed text speaks with the voice of experience in a way that is realistic and attainable.The authors address topics includingthe following fundamental areas:

• Career development
• Touring
• Roles within the music industry
• Recording deals and industry
• PR and marketing for artists
• Keys to community engagement
• The mental side of being a musician
• The path and commitment to mastery as professional musician

The Musician'sCareer Guide offers a foundation for both new and experienced musicians who yearn to clarify and achieve their individual goals of personal success and fulfillment through their craft. It's essential reading for any musician.

PART 1

YOU ARE A BUSINESS

It’s time for you to start to think differently. Yes, this business that you are in—or about to be in—can be daunting, overwhelming, and frustrating. The good news is that you have the resources, and you will soon learn how to channel them. In this section of the book, I encourage you to do some self-reflecting, while offering you tools to maximize your ability to navigate this industry.

CHAPTER 1

Maximize Your Environments

“You arrive at a village, and in this calm environment, one starts to hear echo.”—Yannick Noah, French International Tennis Hall of Famer, Singer, Co-founder of Les Enfants de la Terre in 1988 with his mother, and also Fête le Mur, a tennis association for underprivileged children.

The surroundings in which a person operates can have a huge impact on his or her life—positive and negative. As is the case for all of you, throughout the course of my life, I have had various environments that contributed to my current state of being. In my case, I’m lucky to have always had a community of supporters around me who encouraged me through the joys and challenges of my environment: the various institutions, bands, and training grounds. As an aspiring musician, or someone just diving into the music industry, it’s crucial that you recognize your environment. I’m going to start by telling you about the four environments that have shaped me as a professional drummer, as well as lessons I’d like to share with you. Before I start, I want to tell you something: it’s important to make the best of whatever environment you are in, and if you so choose to create your own environment, make sure you remain connected to the larger world—the one beyond your world.

MY FIRST ENVIRONMENT: CHURCH

For most musicians, particularly in the African-American diaspora, church is their first introduction to a music school, and in many ways, it is a conservatory. I grew up being introduced to music at the Steele and Blue Church of God, in Jacksonville, Florida, where I was initially exposed to the sound of gospel music. Thanks to my mother, who served as choir director, I was placed near the drum set as a young child so that she could watch me and make sure I wasn’t getting into trouble. One time, when the drummer had left the drum set for a break, I climbed up and stood—because I was just two and couldn’t reach the stool—then picked up his sticks and began to keep time. At that time, before I could even put together a complete sentence, my family took note of my skills. They continued to encourage me to keep playing, and despite my very young age, gave me the opportunity to play music any time it was available. This was incredibly cool because it allowed me to fall in love with music in the most natural way: with no rules attached.

When I was about eight years old, the church drummer left. At that moment, the church had a decision to make: either search for a new drummer, or give this kid a chance to play. Well, they opted for the latter. At age eight, I suddenly had the chance—the privilege—to play for three choirs, and attend several rehearsals weekly. This coupled with my mom’s constant reminders about this opportunity being a privilege, and that God could have chosen anyone to give this gift to, but that I was the lucky recipient, and that I should respectfully honor this with my faithfulness and humility. This lesson, learned within this environment, has continued to last a lifetime for me—even beyond church. My message to you? Always be humbled and grateful for being chosen for an opportunity. The lesson of faithfulness even within an environment where there was no great monetary value was really special for me, because it taught me to learn how to be committed solely for the sake of commitment, not based on an immediate monetary reward.

MY SECOND ENVIRONMENT: MIDDLE SCHOOL

The second environment that was pivotal to my development was my middle school, James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle, also in Jacksonville. It was there that I first worked with Mrs. Gail Henley, a wonderful band director. She was the first person to tell me that I needed to focus and take my drumming gift seriously. When I met her at the James Weldon Johnson summer band camp, I showed up with an alto saxophone, because I had grown tired of playing the drums. She heard me play the sax, and kindly asked if I played another instrument. When I told her I played the drums, she asked me to go to the drum set and play. I played some grooves for her. When I stopped, she requested I come back to the front of the room, and speak with her.

“Ulysses,” Mrs. Henley began, “Please take that saxophone home, and never return with it.” I looked at her, politely, but very surprised by her request.

She continued, “You are going to be my drummer. I’ll also teach you classical percussion as well as marching band percussion. Your percussion talent is what is needed in my band.”

THE LESSON FOR YOU?

Despite the fact that we can have an idea of what our talent could be, we need to focus on areas where we can surely thrive. I’m thankful always to Mrs. Henley for guiding and teaching me that lesson. Otherwise, I would be too caught up in my own head, where I think my greatest value lies. So, it’s great to trust others, and if a job or opportunity needs what is in you, then follow in that direction.

MY THIRD ENVIRONMENT: HIGH SCHOOL

At my parents’ insistence, and despite my initial reaction, I attended Douglas Anderson School of the Arts for high school. This, as I later realized that my parents had recognized, was the best thing in the world for me, because it introduced and exposed me to the world that I would spend the rest of my life in. I was initially reluctant, because I was a bit afraid to really be around the tribe that I was called to, which was the artists. I was not really taking myself seriously, because though I knew I was talented, I didn’t know if I was really ready to fully commit to that journey and be part of the artistic community. Thank God for smart parents, because the minute I stepped foot on campus, I truly felt peace. I was surrounded by like-minded individuals.

There were many lessons I learned in school, and many of them are woven into this book. My high school academic environment taught me one lesson in particular that I want to share with you here:

When I was a freshman, I started to let my grades slide. I was coming, after all, from a situation in which I even if my grades slipped, they would always let me perform. Well, DASotA, I soon learned, was a different story. I started failing in algebra. I subsequently suffered two big blows: I was placed on academic probation and wasn’t allowed to perform for the longest nine-week period ever. When I whined about it, the jazz band director told me that my lack of academic excellence failed the band, and that I should realize how much my absence would affect the band.

After that, I never failed a subject.

This lesson for you? Well, actually there are two: One, it’s important to keep up with all aspects of your education. Two, you are part of a team when you’re in a band, and your performance affects everyone.

MY FOURTH ENVIRONMENT: COLLEGE

First, I will tell you a little bit about how I even discovered what Juilliard was.

I was hanging out in the guidance counselor’s office at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, and I saw this really colorful and thick book with the bold title, Juilliard, written across it. I asked someone what it was, and they said that it was one of the best schools in the world for talented artists. I subsequently learned that Juilliard had a donor that created a program called The Juilliard Experience, which was basically an opportunity geared towards boosting minority enrollment, particularly amongst African-American and Latinx students. I applied, and got accepted during my eleventh and twelfth grade years of high school. This experience gave me the chance to visit Juilliard for three days and shadow a current student.

This opportunity changed my life. I realized that I loved that environment; I felt “at home” with students who were completely submerged in their experience—and, for the first time, I no longer felt like the weird guy that obsesses over his love for music. After those visits, plus many hours of practice and preparation, I was accepted into the Inaugural Jazz Studies Program at Juilliard and awarded a full scholarship with a stipend and a chance to make history as the first African-American jazz drummer to ever enter the school in its over 100 years of existence.

Being at Juilliard was also unique because I was surrounded by some of the most talented students in the world, and I also felt like the worst student there in terms of talent. All of my colleagues were jazz babies, and had been exposed to records and live concerts of jazz masters for many years. On the other hand, I had only seen a few live jazz concerts with legends. I also felt that I had such a small album collection in comparison to the other students. It was so funny because this era was pre-MP3s, so all of the musicians in the Juilliard Jazz program would have listening sessions and we would judge ourselves based on our CD collection, and how many CD binders we had, which was representative of how much music we were listening to, which ultimately determined how great of a musician we were.

The level of intensity of the musicianship, and artistry of all students in all departments, was amazing and always pushed me to be better. I am always thankful when I show up and I am the worst person in the room, because it means that I have a long way to go and a lot to learn.

Lastly, all the Juilliard faculty members are world-class artists, so it’s incredibly easy to just be connected to who is relevant on the music scene; I was constantly inspired during my life as a student there.

This lesson? Well, actually, there are two lessons here, too: One, it’s important to keep your eyes open, because you never know what opportunities can present themselves to you, and two, go to college!

This last lesson leads me into the next section, which is all about college. This is an environment that you may not be in yet, but one you should most certainly get into.

PURSUE YOUR COLLEGE DEGREE

Whether or not you’ve finished high school, I know that if even if you’ve had some success as a creative, you might start to doubt the value of college. Well, let me tell you that college is a hugely important and crucial step in your training. If you want to pursue mastery, or if you just want to become great on a certain level, then continue the route that you are pursuing. Even those that have become celebrities always speak about taking the time to develop their skill-set at a higher level.

In my case, Juilliard was the environment that honed my training; it allowed me to know what it is to be surrounded by the best. For those reading this who want to be the best, place yourself in an environment where that is the status quo. I did not learn how to be jazz drummer at Juilliard, because I walked into the school with that talent and understanding. What I did learn at Juilliard was how to be a professional musician and a thinking artist. Additionally, within that environment, they allowed me to build a huge artistic network that spans the globe. Lastly, Juilliard opened up my imagination, and I no longer see the world artistically as a place with limits; I have a fully limitless imagination. Now the goal has become finding the resources to create what I envision. Lucky for you, there are many places and colleges where this energy can be found and can inspire you as well.

Because there are so many options when it comes to college, choosing can be challenging. Consider what colleges fit your level of talent; potential growth is an element not to be taken lightly. Again, I share my experience: I had a few goals before college, and one goal was to move to New York City, because I felt that if I could move to NYC, I would be surrounded by the best, and by default, my skill set would have to rise to meet the occasion of those around me. Sink or swim is constantly the way that I test myself and force growth. Pursuing Juilliard was definitely a goal that forced me to see what and how I needed to adjust to get ready—and I will address that in a moment. But first, another suggestion for you: if you’re not sure where to attend college, do consult your guidance counselor and/or mentors in your life. Even if you think you have an idea, their suggestions can only complement your investigations.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION

Given the various educational positions that I have been fortunate to hold, and my own experience as ...