KEY POINTS:
There are no wealthy pop stars earning millions of dollars in New Zealand. Kiwi musicians often need a "day job" as well. So why pay to study a music degree?
Typically, musicians earn a living across three or four different areas of music and must be incredibly alert
to opportunities, says Robert Constable, head of the School of Music at University of Auckland.
"If you want to survive in branches of music like the pop industry, jazz recording and digital engineering, you have to be a networker, hard working, multi-skilled, think laterally and see opportunities. You also need to be a lifelong learner because you must keep up with new technology."
Many musicians talk of making ends meet through non-intellectual jobs - cafes, labouring - that don't interfere with their creative processes.
Others teach, either in schools or privately. Nick Tipping is a professional jazz musician and jazz teacher at New Zealand School of Music (Victoria and Massey University's combined music school) who also has a masters degree in jazz performance. Teaching brings in enough money to give him freedom in choosing gigs.
"I'm having the time of my life but I'm never going to get rich or famous," Tipping says.
Auckland University honours composition graduate Robbie Ellis initially freelanced in music direction and session work after finishing his degree. He is now employed fulltime at Radio NZ Concert as administrator and producer of weekly programme Pressing On.
"There is no composing involved but my composition knowledge is invaluable. The job also draws on my language skills."
Ellis did a conjoint degree in music composition and European studies, choosing to follow music at honours level to make the most of the university's facilities. He still plays for a theatre group, is in a couple of bands and is working on two theatre concepts. Some fellow graduates are teachers and musical directors; many are also in roles unrelated to music.
"I'm pretty lucky," says Ellis.
Centre for New Zealand Music (SOUNZ) information services co-ordinator Lachlan McKenzie is another graduate employed full-time in a music-related job.
McKenzie believes composers need a degree to help improve chances of employment. Indeed, he advises school leavers to do double degrees - he would if he had his time again.
"Music combines well with languages, law - like entertainment law - business, possibly marketing."
So can a talented musician get by without a degree? Well yes, says Tipping, jazz can be learned by playing alongside experienced musicians.
"However, tertiary study instils the discipline of practice, meeting goals, and learning. It also provides opportunity to incorporate different material around you into your work.
"As a self-learned musician you wouldn't have that dished up on a plate for you. What you learn in three years here [NZSM] would take 10 in the real world."
Constable talks of the importance of knowing about the impact of music on society and history and of technical and artistic development. Music students also develop transferable skills of communication, leadership, teamwork, creativity, self-expression, critical thinking and analysis, he says. "And bravery to function as a soloist."
He adds 10 to 12 per cent of students now do conjoint degrees to widen their options and a masters degree is becoming a standard requirement in many areas of music.
Typically, popular music and jazz students start playing professionally while studying. With classical performance, orchestral roles can be few and far between.
"It takes a huge amount of time to become extremely good and yet you may end up in an environment where it is very difficult to get a job."
Constable says Statistics New Zealand figures show huge growth in musical business activity, particularly with popular music.
While the internet has changed the way people access music, it also offers new opportunities - and music students are learning how to make the most of those, says Constable.
Technological advances have meant more people setting up recording studios in their garages, but this also means an increasing need for people that can make that technology "sing", explains Constable.
"And there is also a growing need for electronic sound design for movies and television."
Being multi-skilled is important, says Ellis. "It is all very well to train in classical music but you also have to be able to go into a studio and provide a track for a rock band.
"With composition, you also need to be proficient with audio editing software and able to produce printed sheet music. With piano performance, you're more employable if you get a good sound out of a keyboard as well as a piano.
"That is the way to ensure you make a living."
