| The music industry won't be complete without | | | | engineering, business management and |
| music schools, such as Minneapolis music schools, | | | | troubleshooting as well. There's always the |
| that aim to teach aspiring musicians a variety of | | | | necessity to wear different hats even if the artist |
| skills needed to make the industry more colorful. | | | | has a contract with a specific label. Currently, |
| And what better place there is from around the | | | | many music businesses prefer a smaller group of |
| Midwest than Minneapolis - what with the number | | | | people with a wider range of talents as compared |
| of audio and media education opportunities in the | | | | to a gigantic group with special skills. This means |
| city. It may also be because of Minneapolis' | | | | that even if you are not a performer, you will still |
| traditionally experimental attitude toward music, a | | | | probably need to have quite a few tricks stored |
| movement which has created several of the | | | | up your sleeves. |
| music schools now established in the city and | | | | Fortunately, Minneapolis music schools have |
| some of the most renowned Minneapolis music | | | | compensated, and other schools are beginning to |
| achievements--including the student-led Radio K of | | | | follow their lead. Such is most evident in what's |
| the University of Michigan, which plays | | | | now known as the Musicians Technical Training |
| independent music and has national appeal, | | | | Center, formerly called McNally Smith. Programs |
| drawing bands from around the world and winning | | | | from Music Tech include classes on performance, |
| the university a spot on Best College lists. | | | | recording and the business side of the industry - |
| What's the reason for this broad approach to | | | | emphasizing on how these music skills can be |
| musical training? In a word, change. Minneapolis has | | | | applied. The MacPhail Center for Music is known |
| always established itself as a microcosm of the | | | | for its more classic approach and works with kids |
| larger music industry although it is music-intensive. | | | | and adults to develop musical talent, teach music |
| There was a time when jobs related to the | | | | therapy, and hold ensembles. Of course, there is |
| industry were very specialized - sound | | | | the IPR that teaches a combination of musical |
| engineering, advertising, show management, to | | | | theory, music tech, and multimedia production - its |
| name a few. But this set-up took a beating with | | | | emphasis is on the entertainment and production |
| the revolution of online media which resulted from | | | | side of the music industry. |
| the onslaught of pirated music and digital | | | | Don't forget that there are also larger institutions, |
| downloading. Thus, jobs today are no longer that | | | | like the University of Minnesota, which offers |
| diverse. | | | | several different degrees in music, including |
| That being said, it can be noted that many music | | | | coaching, electronic music, and conducting. Keep in |
| artists at present need to fulfill these different | | | | mind, Minneapolis music schools hold enough |
| roles themselves. For instance, a singer needs to | | | | choices that you can still have options even in |
| know the fundamentals in advertising, sound | | | | today's competitive market. |