New (School) Year Resolutions

Believe it or not, it’s back to school time again!  Before things get too hectic, here’s a question for music students (and professors, and the rest of us): What specific actions will you take this academic year to advance your career?  Sure, you’ll improve playing and other artistic specialties.  But from a professional...

Does Conservatory Really Prepare for Business Success?

Everything I Know about Business, I Learned at the Conservatory is the title of a recently posted TSM article by Brian Pertl.  In it, he argues that his (enormous) successes as an employee with Microsoft were the result of Conservatory training.  Here are 5 attributes Pertl claims are valuable to the business world and developed in music...

Opportunity for Independent Teachers and Music Professors

Are you or someone you know an independent music teacher or professor doing something extraordinary?  I’m working on a couple of projects now that will feature case studies of these kinds of individuals.              Private Teachers Looking for independent music teachers with: Good business models Income streams other than...

Everything I Know About Business, I Learned at the Conservatory

by Brian Pertl My guess is that the title of this blog caught your attention, because it seems so incredibly unlikely. The world of business and the world of music appear to have very little in common. What on earth could playing a Mozart symphony have to do with leading a budget proposal meeting? Most of us would say, “absolutely nothing at...

Re-imagining the University Ensemble Experience

My article Re-imagining the Music Degree Recital explored ways that solo performances can serve as vehicles for developing critical career and problem solving skills.  But there are many other avenues with the potential to emphasize these aptitudes within music school curriculum. Consider, for example, the ensemble experience. In Fall 2009, I...

Arts Entrepreneurship: The Student Perspective

by Emily Weingarten We’ve heard the facts many times: arts institutions are graduating more students than ever, orchestras are decreasing in number, and support for the arts is waning.  From a purely economic standpoint, many feel that the supply of musicians exceeds the demand for the art.  This has created a dilemma for young musicians: not...

Re-Imagining the Music Degree Recital

Music school curricula are filled with requirements. And all requirements show bias.  As a result of these rules, students’ priorities are heavily influenced (whether they know it or not).  So what lessons are being taught?  Are expectations likely to cultivate savvy entrepreneurial artists with the maximum potential for professional...

The Savvy Musician Challenge

We’re trying something new here at The Savvy Musician, hoping to engage music students from all over the country and globe, while learning from their collective wisdom.  If you or your school/group is interested in participating (or if you have questions), please e-mail info@savvymusician.com.  Details are below. Stay tuned for the...

Music Business vs. Arts Admin vs. Career Development vs. Music Entrepreneurship

There is a bit of confusion about four fields of study that incorporate music and business aspects: 1) Music Business (aka Music Industry), 2) Arts Administration, 3) Music Career Development, 4) Music Entrepreneurship.  Though all attempt to advance the cause of music-related ventures in economically viable ways, they appeal to different...

Choosing the Perfect Grad School: Part 2

In Part 1 of this series, we looked at faulty assumptions that many musicians make when seeking a graduate school. So, if you decide to pursue an advanced degree in music, what question should you ask above all others?  In my opinion, this is the most important one: How will this next degree advance my life goals?    Many musicians never...