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L1What Does 'Making It' Mean? L2Industry Structure L3Revenue Streams L4Copyright & Sampling L5Career Exploration L6Sound Engineering Deep Dive L7Sound Engineering L8Music Marketing L9Music Entrepreneurship L10Bronx Music Scene L11Presentation Prep L12Career Presentations L13Assessment & Wrap-Up
Lesson 5: Career Exploration 1 / 10
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Career Exploration

A&R, Sound Engineering, Artist Management
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 • Unit 3, Lesson 5 • Mr. Mbagwu
DO NOW5 Minutes
05:00

Think About It

“How many people do you think work behind the scenes for every artist you see on stage?”

Write your estimate and reasoning in your notebook.

I Can Statement

The Hidden Industry

10–15people work behind the scenes for every 1 artist on stage

A&R Representatives

Discover and sign new talent

Sound Engineers

Record, mix, and master the music

Artist Managers

Guide careers and handle business

And Many More...

Producers, lawyers, publicists, tour managers

A&R: Artists & Repertoire

What They Do

A&R professionals are the talent scouts of the music industry.

Key Skills: Active listening, trend awareness, relationship building, negotiation

Salary Range: Entry: $35K–$50K • Mid: $50K–$90K • Senior: $90K–$200K+

Famous A&R: John Hammond discovered Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen
Source: Berklee College of Music Career Guide, GRAMMY GO

Sound Engineering

Recording Engineer

Captures performances

Sets up microphones

Works with artists

Mixing Engineer

Balances all tracks

Adds effects (reverb, delay)

Creates final mix

Mastering Engineer

Final polish

Optimizes for all speakers

Prepares for release

Artist Management

What Managers Do

  • Career Strategy – Develop long-term plans
  • Negotiations – Handle contracts with labels, brands
  • Team Coordination – Work with agents, lawyers, publicists
  • Daily Operations – Schedules, travel, problem-solving

Commission Structure

15–20%

of artist’s earnings

Their success = Your success

Case Study: Scooter Braun managed Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato

Think-Pair-Share (15 min)

1. THINK

Complete Career Match Worksheet independently (7 min)

2. PAIR

Discuss your career choice with a partner (4 min)

3. SHARE

Volunteers share with the class (4 min)

EXIT TICKET10 Points
05:00

Question 1

What is the DIFFERENCE between the THREE music industry careers? Name ONE key skill for each.

Question 2

Which career interests you MOST? Why? Name two. (2–3 sentences)

📚 Submit on Google Classroom

Coming Up Tomorrow

Virtual Studio Tour: Abbey Road Studios

Where The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Adele recorded

📚 Submit on Google Classroom
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