Book Resources
Download the Companion Workbook
Chapter 1 Map Your Future
Topics Covered
Becoming the hero of your own journey
Who’s in charge?
Clarify your intent: What is it you want?
Project-driven careers
Your secret project
Books
Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers
Blog Posts
Being the Hero of Your Journey
Musicians: What powers your creative work?
What’s the crucial career action step you’re avoiding?
Videos
Joseph Campbell on the Hero’s Journey:
Angela Duckworth on grit:
Articles
“Study Focuses on Strategies for Achieving Goals, Resolutions,” Dominican UniversityNews Room, accessed September 5, 2017
Chapter 2 Identify Opportunities
Topics Covered
Growth versus fixed mindsets
Two flavors of opportunities
Portfolio careers
What you have to offer
Diagram your best self
Art versus business
Entrepreneurship: It’s not a job title, it’s a state of mind
Books
Emilio Guarino, Make It: A Guide for Recent Music Graduates
Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Dale Trumbore Staying Composed: Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Doubt Within a Creative Life
Carol Dweck, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Video/Audio
Carol Dweck on the Growth vs. Fixed mindset:
Clarinetist Michael Norsworthy interviewed on Clarinet
Steven Pressfield’s concept of Resistance
Steven Pressfield and Oprah
Effective Practice
Mindfulness for Musicians: Tools
CMA Talks: Tools for Mindfulness with Angela Myles Beeching
Blog Posts
From composer Dale Trumbore – How to Get Past Self-Doubt and Envy
Articles
James Manyika, Susan Lund, Jacques Bughin, Kelsey Robinson, Jan Mischke, and Deepa Mahajan, Independent Work: Choice, Necessity, and the Gig Economy (McKinsey Global Institute Report, 2016)
Jeffrey Nytch, “The Entrepreneurial Symphony,” guest post, Greg Sandow on the Future of Classical Music (blog), October 29, 2013
Chapter 3 Get It Done
Topics Covered
Time blocking
Project management
Backward planning
Effective practice
Books
Seth Hanes, Break into the Scene (free copy)
Andrew Simonet, Making Your Life as an Artist (free copy)
Blog Posts
Focus on what matters most — for your music AND your career
Taking a leap — this might not work
Videos
Creative Productivity Challenge Day 1: Creativity Habits
Creative Productivity Challenge Day 4: Process
(Note: these two FB Lives were part of a 5-day series on Creative Productivity)
Creative Productivity Challenge
Writer/choreographer Andrew Simonet’s commencement address
Researcher Angela Duckworth on how to practice like a pro
Composer John Steinmetz on the creative process
Simon Sinek, Understanding the Game We’re In
Articles
Brigid Schulte, “Work Interruptions Can CostYou 6 Hours a Day: An Efficiency Expert Explains How to Avoid Them,” Washington Post, June 1, 2015
Chapter 4 Connect with Others
Topics Covered
Real versus fake networking
Your networking mindset
Map your network
Performance invitations
How to work a room
Books
Seth Hanes, Break into the Scene (free copy)
Blog Posts
Musicians’ Networking System that Kim Leeds Used to Book More Work
How to Find or Start Your Own Creative Community
Audio/Videos
Adam Grant on “Give and Take”
Seth Hanes interviewed on Music Publishing Podcast
Seth Godin on Social Networking
Resources for Printing and Business Cards
Articles
Barry Michels, “Get Out of Your Comfort Zone,” The Tools Book (blog), June 19, 2017
Mike Jolkovski, “How Bands Die,” Working Through (blog), accessed October 3, 2017
Audio Interview
Author interview with tubist and founding member of Gaudete Brass, Scott Tegge
This conversation covered:
How did your group first come together?
The importance of your brand name and your vision (identity).
The value of being nimble-groups change and morph.
Residencies and building fanbase.
How he learned to book tours, network, and reach out to presenters, sending 5-6 emails to presenters per day.
How he got used to handling rejection.
Keeping your ‘WHY’ front of mind.
Balancing performance, teaching, and family life.
Commitment and scheduling issues.
Commissioning-funding, networking, recordings.
Creating special projects to garner a larger media profile.
Donor relationships and cultivating business support.
Involving donors in split commissioning projects.
What you’ll leave behind – the legacy of your work.
Chapter 5 Convey Your Authentic Self
Topics Covered
Authenticity: Finding your purpose
Your bio in six steps
Photos worth 1,000+ words
The adjective game Promo kits
Blog Posts
The missing ingredient in your bio — authenticity
How to Build a Better Bio — Musicians, Can We Get Real?
Musicians — What business are you really in?
Let me tell you a story about a musician . . .
3 Essentials for Musicians for a Great Promo Shoot
Audio/Videos
Pianist Jade Simmons on your brand The 4×6 of Musicians’ Bio
On Purpose (Part of a 5-Day Series on Creative Productivity; Find the whole series here.)
Simon Sinek TED Talk on the importance of finding your WHY
Articles
Joshua Roman’s TED Speaker bio, accessed October 3, 2017
Audio Interview
Interview with cellist Joshua Roman
We covered:
Having a larger mission. How curating concerts and composition fit in.
Letting go of self-judgment.The need for patience and self-acceptance.
How Joshua handles setbacks.
Meditation and getting in your own way.
In performing new music: find an emotional entry point for listeners.
When we’re stuck, tapping into what’s most personal.
We can make real connection when we share our vulnerability.
Bios
Note: Please DON’T compare yourself to these people—that’s a waste of emotional energy. And don’t copy any of the phrases or language used. That’s not going to help you find your own truth. Instead, read and analyze. Ask yourself what you can learn from the choices the musicians made: the order of information and the details used. Ask yourself what memorable, and what helps you get a sense of the real person behind the music.
Examples of performance bios
On composer bios and describing your music
You need a better bio
Your better bio: vivid and engaging
Getting real and covering the bases
Describing your music and yourself
Examples of teaching bios
Soprano Jennifer Piazza-Pick
Platforms for your EPK
Chapter 6 Record Your Best
Topics Covered
Demo recordings Is it legal?
How and where to record
Write your budget Fund your recording
Blog Post
Videos
Flutist Teresa Payne’s promo video
Presenter Interview: Jenny Bilfield
Articles
Claudia Friedlander, “How to Make a Great Demo Recording,” Voice Studio, Carnegie Hall Musical Exchange, November 11, 2014
Adam R.,“How to Legally Secure the Mechanical Licenses for Your Cover Songs,” DIYMusician (blog), CD Baby, October 18, 2011
Singer/songwriter Jonathan Coulton on creating DIY success in music (early career)
Jonathan Coulton on connecting with your fans (more recently)
Quiz: Future of Music Coalition: on Music and Money—and Copyright
Resources
To search whether or not a work is in the public domain
Check the copyright status of any work you plan to record (or to arrange, sample, or perform)
Chapter 7 Cultivate Your Online Community
Topics Covered
The Tao of self-promotion
Your online persona
Websites 101
Web design using your fridge
Social media without the mania
Blog Posts
Using your fridge to improve your website?
Videos
Cellist Zoë Keating Interview
Digital marketing expert Gary Vaynerchuk “Marketing for Musicians”
StoryBrand marketer Don Miller on effective website design
Cellist Joshua Roman recorder live performance
Thomas Deneuville on “Developing Your Online Presence: Websites, Social Media, and Email Marketing”
Marketing expert Seth Godin at Carnegie Hall
Kevin Kelly Interview on 1000 true fans
Ariel Hyatt interviews Seth Godin the music industry and your place in it Pt. 1
Ariel Hyatt interviews Seth Godin the music industry and your place in it Pt. 2
Resources
Recommended web developer/designer: Suzanne Bird-Harris of WebsitesInWP.com
Cyber PR music specialist Ariel Hyatt’s free webinars
Click HERE to see if your preferred domain name is available
Design palettes of colors: Coolor.com
Inexpensive graphic design help fiver
Articles
F.Paul Driscoll, “Following @ Joyce Didonato,” Opera News 79, no.9 (March 2015)
Kevin Kelly, “1000 True Fans,” The Technium (blog), accessed October 3, 2017
Gary Vaynerchuk, “Business Advice for Aspiring Musicians” (blog post), accessed October 3, 2017
Joshua Roman’s Facebook page, November 10, 2016
Examples of good site design
https://www.vocalpowerllc.com/
Interlude: The Fundamental Questions
Topics Covered
Why are you in music?
How do you define success?
Is your thinking getting in your way?
What kind of partnerships are you creating through your music?
What’s the impact you make as a musician?
Bonus: Twenty-one questions for young performers
Blog Posts
Your Sustainable Career in Music
Your music career or your love life — you choose
The Musician’s Motivation Matrix — with thanks to Christine Kloser
Let’s talk POWER: yours, mine, ours
How Well Are You Playing the Game of Life?
Are your actions & goals aligned with the results you want?
Audio Interview
Seth Godin interview covers artistry, connecting to your audience, and meaning
Resources
Inspiring articles by trombonist Abbie Conant and her husband, composer William Osborn
Articles
Chapter 8 Book More Performances
Topics Covered
Artist management facts and fiction
Taking charge of your own career: Self-management
Booking basics: Start with the people you know
Perfect pitch: Five elements
Negotiating fees
Confirmations and contracts
Booking a regional tour
Why not create your own series?
Legal issues:Performance licensing
Books
Getting to Yes: How To Negotiate Agreement Without Giving In
Blog Posts
Booking concerts
Programming
Want to book more concerts? Here’s what presenters REALLY want.\
Perfect Pitches for Booking Concerts
The Musician’s Perfect Pitch Email? Here’s Tereasa Payne’s story . . .
Alternative Spaces
Booking Concerts — alternative spaces for musicians
How might House Concerts work for YOU?
Get started
Want more concerts? Start by re-connecting!
Handling rejection
How to handle rejection in an unfair music profession
Negotiating fees
Negotiating Fees: the money episode
If you hate negotiating fees . . .
Videos
Negotiation basics
On house concerts
Articles
Bradley Sowash, “Self-Marketing for Artists,” Storier (blog), May 28, 2010
Florian Danner, “ Like Uber… But for a Live Orchestra in Your Home,” CNBC.com, November 4, 2016
Resources
Listings of artist managers, presenters, performing organization
Chapter 9 Tell Your Story
Topics Covered
Uncover your story
Press kit basics
Press release tips
Working with a publicist
Compile your media list
Timeline for promoting your next concert Reviews
Tips on being interviewed
Related Blog Posts
Let me tell you a story about a musician . . .
Musician Newsletter Know-how with Amanda Gookin
Musician Newsletter Know-How from Bridget Kibbey
Rob Flax and the Art of the E-newsletter — connecting with your fans
What to Learn from the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Band
Videos
On Story-telling
Pianist Jade Simmons reveals her purpose
Flutist Claire Chase on her story and starting ICE
Steven Swartz on What Does a Publicist Do?
Articles
“8 Simple Steps to Formatting a Proper Press Release,” Cyper PR Press Release Guide,accessed October 30, 2017
Ariel Hyatt, “How to Be Your Own Publicist:Part3,” CyberPRmusic.com, accessedOctober 3, 2017
Thomas Deneuville, “10 Things to Consider When You’re Submitting an Album forReview,” I Care If You Listen, October 23, 2013
Once Upon a Time at the Office: 10 Storytelling Tips to Help You Be More Persuasive.
Audio Interview
Author interview with cellist Amanda Gookin
This conversation covered
About the start of her Forward Music solo commissioning project-her inspiration-and
how she managed all the moving parts.
How she raised the com missioning funds.
[Amanda’s TEDX Talk]
Being a musician with a strong social activism stance.
What helped her bolster her confidence.
How she created a singular experience for the audience.
Her personal motto, “Jump first, learn to swim later.”
Amanda Gookin references who she collaborated with:
Web designer Beth Beauchamp
Publicist Unfinished Side Productions
Delaney Gibson art direction
Ryan Scherb photographer
Mount Tremper Arts residency
And she offers advice for musicians with projects.
Chapter 10 Make Meaning
Topics Covered
Find entry points
Introduce your music
Create engaging programs
Get hired
Evaluate your impact
Recommended Books
David Wallace Reaching Out: A Musician’s Guide to Interactive Performances
David Wallace’s Engaging the Concert Audience: A Musician’s Guide to Interactive Performance
Amy Cuddy Presence
Eric Booth The Teaching Artist Bible
Related Blog Posts
How well are you connecting with your audiences?
The “I hate public speaking” musicians’ antidote
Solving the problem of what to say
Making Meaning: Teaching Artists
Videos
Amy Cuddy’s TED talk
Eric Booth on ways to introduce a piece of music
Tom Jackson on what audiences want
Anthony Roth Costanzo connecting with his audience
Takacs Quartet on talking to audiences
Pianist James Rhodes introducing Chopin
Articles
Thomas Cabaniss, “Blurring Boundaries,” Chamber Music, accessed October 4, 2017
John Steinmetz Resuscitating Art Music
Violinist Vijay Gupta Encouraging Musicians to be Empowered by Their Artistry
Relevant organizations
Community MusicWorks fellowship quartet
Teaching Artists Guild (membership is free)
Chapter 11 Perform at Your Best
Topics Covered
Stage presence: The basics
Peak performance: the flow state
Managing performance anxiety
TreatmentPerformance health
Recommended Books
Amy Cuddy Presence
Karen Hagberg Stage Presence Presence from Head to Toe
Musical Excellence: Strategies and Techniques to Enhance Performance
Patsy Rodenburg Second Circle
Madeline Bruser The Art of Practicing
Gerald Klickstein
Related Blog Posts
Videos
Amy Cuddy’s TED talk
Barbara Hannigan interviewed on Horn hangouts
On Negative Self-talk
On Confidence
Note: these two FB Lives above were part of a 5-day series on Creative Productivity
Dan Sullivan’s 4 C’s of Confidence
Patsy Rodenburg Second Circle
References
Harold Schonberg, “Judges of the Keyboard,” New York Times, November 24, 1985
Noa Kageyama, “How Many Hours a Day Should You Practice?” Bullet proof Musician(blog), accessed October 5, 2017
“Ten Tips on Becoming Fearless,” IU News Room, Indiana University, accessed October 26, 2017
Guided Visualizations
Wendy Braun’s audition meditation
Frank Heckman’s Hero’s Journey series for stress reduction and focus
Additional Resources
Chapter 12 Turn Pro: The Working Musician
Topics Covered
The professional’s mindset
Get more gigs
Your freelance résume
Musician unions: Strength in numbers
Negotiating fees
Contracts
Recommended Books
Beak into the Scene Seth Hanes (free copy)
Classic on Negotiation: Getting the Yes
Related Blog Posts
Negotiating Fees: the money episode
If you hate negotiating fees . . .
Videos
The Performing Arts Ecosystem explained
Negotiation basics
Unions
The AFM (American Federation of Musicians)
AEA (Actors’ Equity Association, a.k.a. Equity)
AGMA is the American Guild of Musical Artist
Articles
Bassist Jason Heath’s12 Survival Tips for Freelance Musicians
Bobby Hoyt How to Make a Living as a Freelance Musician
Seth Hanes How to Turn One Gig into Many Gigs (Plus an Email Script You CanCopy)
Chapter 13 Manage Your Money to Fuel Your Artistry
Topics Covered
Heal your relationship with money
Budgets
Taxes 101
Special issues for ensemble
Recommended Books
Steven Covey 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Emilio Guarino Make It: A Guide for Reent Music Graduates
Related Blog Posts
Your Relationship with Money — 5 Abundance Mindset Habits
What’s the ROI of your music career work?
Resources
National Foundation for Credit Counseling
American Consumer Credit Counseling
Personal finance guru Suze Orman
A free copy of your credit report
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
Articles
Nicholas Wyman, “Leading on College Tuition Reform?,” Forbes, August 13, 2015
Ellen McSweeney, “Buyer Beware: Education Debt,” New Music Box, June 3, 2013
Chapter 14 Fund Your Projects
Topics Covered
Map your project
Fundraising basics
How to make the ask
Fundraising letters
Crowdfunding
Grant funding basics
Grant Applications
Commissioning new work
Corporate sponsorship
Recommended Book
Waddy Thompson The Wise Guide to Winning Grants: How to Find Funders and Write Winning Proposals
Related Blog Posts
Raising money for a dream project?
Fundraising secrets for musicians: how to identify prospective donors
How to improve your fundraising pitches
Musicians — How well are you connecting with potential donors?
Fundraising Secrets for Musicians part 2: the art of the thank you
Crowdfunding campaigns. What works for you?
Articles
Resources for Grant Information
Resources for Commissioning
An Individual’s Guide to Commissioning Music
Commissioning Music: A Basic Guide
Chapter 15 Get It Together: Your Career Portfolio
Topics Covered
Portfolio careers reprise
An abundant world of opportunities
Day job considerations
Teaching opportunities
Leadership skills in action: Music industry and arts admission opportunities
Recommended Book
David Cutler, Savvy Music Teacher
Blog Posts
Solutions for the Day Job Dilemma
Your Sustainable Career in Music
Looking to fill your teaching studio?
Video
How to fill your studio
Articles
Audio Author interview
NYC-based countertenor and educator Peter Thoresen
This conversation covered:
The plans we have when we’re in school versus how our careers actually unfold.
Becoming a better teacher, how to build skills, experience, and confidence.
Day jobbing in New York-surviving and taking risks.
Proceed as though you know exactly what you’re doing.
How networking really works, getting referrals, and impostor syndrome.
Advice for people finishing a doctorate on transitioning into the profession.
How a varied background influences the work you end up doing.
Counter-intuitive college teaching job interview approach.
Unexpected international teaching experience.
Music Teaching Resources
American Choral Director’s Association
American String Teachers Association
Kennedy Center’s Arts Edge
Music Teachers National Association
National Association for Music Education
National Guild for Community Arts Education
National Association of Teachers of Singing
Suzuki Association of the Americas, Inc.
Excellent listing of Music Career Resources
Private School Teaching Job Listings
National Association of Independent School
College-level Teaching Job Listings
College Music Society’s Music Vacancy Listings
Arts administration job listings
Association of Performing Arts Professionals
New York Foundation for the Arts
Your state arts agency’s website
Your alma mater – many music schools offer job listing publications and online listings.
Postlude : Your Journey Home
Topics Covered
Resolving the artist’s dilemma
The Tao of Music
Improving your artistry
Returning to ourselves
Your Journey ahead
Blog Posts
Your Hero’s Journey Ahead: Reaching for the Stars
Being the Hero of Your Journey
Thanking Our Dragons — the counter-intuitive approach to life’s challenges
Acronyms
ACDA – American Choral Directors Association
ACF – American Composers Forum
AEA – Actors’ Equity Association (AKA: Equity)
AFM – American Federation of Musicians
AFTRA – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
AGMA – American Guild of Musical Artists
APAP – Association of Performing Arts Professionals
ASCAP – American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
ASTA – American String Teachers Association
BMI – Broadcast Music, Inc.
CMA – Chamber Music America
CMS – College Music Society
ICSOM – International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians
JEN – Jazz Education Network
MTNA – Music Teachers National Association
NAFME – National Association for Music Education
NAPAMA – National Association of Performing Arts Managers of America
NATS – National Association of Teachers of Singing
NYFA – New York Foundation for the Arts
PAS – Percussive Arts Society
RMA – Recording Musicians Association
ROPA – Regional Orchestra Players Association
SAG – Screen Actors Guild
SESAC – Society of European Stage Authors and Composers
TMA – Theater Musicians Association
