Music and Sound Recording

Background

The music industry, which is undergoing rapid change in the wake of new technologies and globalization, is far more than musicians making music. There are many functions behind the scenes involved in producing and managing the music being made. In close collaboration with music industry professionals, CHRC is helping to ensure that Canada has skilled people to perform the new business roles as well as the creative functions in the music industry.

In 2004, the Minister's Advisory Council on Music (ACM) met with CHRC to discuss training needs. Industry leaders on the ACM emphasized the gaps in training on the business side of the music industry and made particular reference to the need for cross-sectoral training in copyright and new technologies. At the same time, in cross-country consultations with practitioners in the industry, CHRC also identified serious gaps in business skills among musicians who are increasingly called upon to get involved in the production, distribution and marketing of their own music.

In spring 2005, CHRC's Music Industry Steering Committee identified five functions on the business side of the music industry for which there is little formal training. The skills for these functions are most often learned "on-the-job". They are: development, marketing, distribution; artist management; music publishing; live production; and sound production.

CHRC is undertaking competency analyses and training gaps analyses for all of these functions; and working with educators and music industry professionals to develop a national training strategy to ensure appropriate training is available.