Music Leader: Musician: Artist

Jim Pinchen (Workforce Development Manager: Rhythmix and MusicLeader South East) reflects on delivering Development Needs Analysis (DNA) and the Music Leader as Musician and Artist beyond their work within the Music Education sector

During my time managing the MusicLeader South East programme for Rhythmix I had the opportunity to deliver a series of one to one advice DNAs (Development Needs Analysis) and follow up calls with our region’s Music Leaders. As an organisation Rhythmix is very well equipped to give advice and guidance regarding all things related to music leading, in fact we have just been awarded Matrix Accreditation for Information, Advice and Guidance in this area. However, nearly all of the Musicians I spoke to also wanted advice relating to their artistic/ gigging/ recording careers, making money from your music, finding a publishing deal, utilising social media and web tools. I always felt this was out of my area of expertise and I would normally sign post to the Musicians Union (MU.) 

This got me thinking more about our workforce; who they are, what skills do they have, what makes an excellent music leader etc. The notion that a music leader is some kind of middle aged failed musician has always annoyed me and I think regardless of genre, our best music leaders are those who continue to have portfolio careers. By that I mean, as well as teaching music to young people they are also artists and performers in their own right and all areas of their work influences, informs and inspires the other. (I personally know this to be true after recently working in some aggressive wobble basses into a commission for a Spanish contemporary dance company - they love it!). It then occurred to me that if we are to truly support and develop an inspirational regional workforce then we have a role in supporting their individual artist careers.

It seemed obvious that we needed to put on a joint event with the MU to look at successful ways of managing a portfolio career and provide a platform for musicians to network and find out more about how to develop their prospective artistic careers. Graham Dowdall is a music leader, trainer, lecturer and electro musician and is someone who manages a portfolio career incredibly well and he was invited speak at our event.

The training sold out within 5 days and although there were things we could have done better, it was the first event of its kind and a huge success. It also highlight the untapped skills and knowledge that exists within our team which has led us to look at providing courses to young people that incorporate how to successfully work within the Music Industry.

I hope that post MusicLeader, organisations who have a WFD (Workforce Development) remit will remember that our Music Leaders are also artists and continue to support them as portfolio career professionals.