Parent Handbook 2010–2011 - Berklee College of Music

while exhausted, nor is it helpful to become stressed when falling behind in
studies. Encourage your son or daughter to reschedule what could not be
finished for the next day or to go back to it at some other time of the day.
• Ask your son or daughter about specific goals for each course. Having a
specific goal is a strong motivator.
• Remind your student that development and growth are important. Suggest
that maintaining a balance of exercise and relaxation is critical to wellness and
academic as well as musical development: take a walk, play some basketball, or
get involved with a student club or activity. There is life outside of music; we
recognize it and promote it.
• If your son or daughter mentions being overwhelmed with opportunities
and things to do, suggest making a to-do list in priority order. He or she can put
it in a visible place and keep it updated.
• Remind your son or daughter to eat well and get enough rest. If he or she
is not healthy, everything else falls apart. Mind and body are connected; both
should be kept functioning well.
Here is some helpful information provided by Peter Spellman, director of the
Career Development Center. This article is from his book Indie Marketing Power:
The Guide for Maximizing Your Music Marketing.
Five Essentials of Music Career Success
Music is too big a world for a one-size-fits-all model of music career success.
Musicians’ career paths are as unique as their individual fingerprints.
Nevertheless, there are a few guidelines that I believe apply to anyone trying to
make a career out of their love of music. Here are five:
1. Hone your talent and realize there is a place for you. Not everyone
is a Quincy Jones, a Beatle, or a Bruce Springsteen, but if an artist like Tom
Waits is a vocalist, then there is definitely room for you, too. Do the work
necessary to excel in your niche, whether it’s writing a chart, engineering a
session, providing backup vocals, or teaching kids the basics of music.
Your goal, to use marketing lingo, is to “position” yourself in your “market” as
the go-to person for that particular skill or talent. Don’t worry too much about
industry rejection. Every record label in Britain initially passed on the Beatles
and the Rolling Stones. The key is believing in yourself and persevering
beyond others’ opinions (even those of “the industry”).
2. Connect with as many people as you can, because relationships
drive music careers more that anything else, even talent. Music is a
“who-you-know/who-knows-you” kind of business. The quality and quantity
of your relationships will be the primary engines of your progress. Try
developing creative projects with fellow musicians. Perhaps you can combine
your live show with two other acts and present the package to a local promoter.
For the most up-to-date information, visit berklee.edu.