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Hello everyone who knows the music industry well from the inside.

My name is Eugene, I'm 17 and live in Russia.
Recently I got a place at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (Popular Music And Sound Technology), but, unfortunately, I cannot afford it.

I've heard that some sound technology-oriented organizations may possibly sponsor students like myself for their education if they commit to work for that company after graduation. Is this true and does anybody know any companies that I might apply to?
Thanks in advance.

Sincerely yours, Eugene.

PS
If you know NONE, better post it than keep silence :)

Comments

hueseph Fri, 05/07/2010 - 07:53

I know this, don't bother. Go to a local studio and ask them to let you slave for them for free over the summer. That will be safer and won't put you into a large amount of debt over a job that is non existent. Studios are closing more than opening. The ones that are opening don't last long. It's a tough industry getting only tougher. Home studios are making it hard for anyone to make money recording other people since they are recording themselves(albeit badly in most cases.). Interning at an operating studio will get you two things: 1) a contact that is in the industry 2) a reputation as a reliable worker(counting on your ability of course)/assistant engineer(should it get that far).

Hard work, an open mind and listening ears will get you further than a piece of paper. Read some good books on engineering. Spend money on gear rather than on a school that's only out to make money from you whether you learn anything from them or not. Education is a business and they will pass you as long as there is a cheque in it for them.

If you want an education that will help, take up electrical engineering. That will be more useful to you. Physics will help.

Get a day job and work hard. A job in the music industry is quickly turning into a pipe dream. Up in smoke. I'm not trying to discourage you. Go ahead and put your heart into music but put your mind into a career that will sustain you first. Right now there is no money in music.

anonymous Fri, 05/07/2010 - 08:06

Well, this scheme unfortunately seems to be not working for Russia as I was told. It's the country with occupied industry. Everything that you can call industry (studios, etc, that actually make money, no matter how much) are occupied by pop singers and their friends, nothing's really changed since Soviet Union (even pop singers are pretty much the same). Other places barely get enough money to exist :P
There is a theory that in Russia there's NO music industry at all. It hasn't developed yet.
Anyway I'll try it, so thank you.

Thomas W. Bethel Mon, 05/10/2010 - 03:29

I am sorry to tell you that it is not just in Russia. More and more "personal studios" are opening here in the US of A. They are in the pop music star's houses and are not open to the public. This trend started years ago here and lately has been growing and growing. The stars say it gives them "artistic freedom" and they can record whenever the mood or the inspiration hits them.

The music industry (pro recording studios in particular) world wide are not doing well and if it were a person the priest or minister would be getting ready to say a few words at the funeral. It is that bad.

This doesn't have to happen but right the total collapse of the pro recording studio system seems inevitable. More and more people are doing things themselves in their houses either to save money or to have the ability to record when they want to. They are not going to the professional recording studios and if the studios don't have any work they cannot hire anyone to work there no matter how good you are.

I see people graduating from places like Full Sail and after spending big bucks getting an education they are now working as cell phone salesmen, or at GC and/or living at home with Mommy and Daddy. Some of these people are carrying large debts from their education and have no real way to pay them off since they are, in some cases, making minimum wage.

I am not trying to discourage you but you have to go into this with your eyes wide open and not see the situation through rose colored glasses.

I think hueseph gave you some good advice.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that your dreams come true...

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