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Music Career Resources
We’ve compiled a list of just about every music organization or helpful group there is. Let us know if we’ve missed anything.
Select from the following Music Career Resources:
Music Performance
AFM (American Federation of Musicians)
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Everyday the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada helps thousands of musicians just like you. We are the largest organization in the world representing the interests of professional musicians. Whether negotiating fair agreements, protecting ownership of recorded music, securing benefits such as health care and pension, or lobbying our legislators, the AFM is committed to raising industry standards and placing the professional musician in the foreground of the cultural landscape.
APAP (Association of Performing Arts Presenters)
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The Association of Performing Arts Presenters is the national service, advocacy and professional organization for presenters of the performing arts. APAP is dedicated to developing and supporting a robust performing arts industry and the professionals who work within it.
Chamber Music America
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CMA serves the national ensemble music community by providing access to an array of professional resources and benefits, professional development seminars, grants and awards, and—through its National Conference and interactive website—opportunities to connect with musicians, presenters, managers and other chamber music professionals across the country.
Conductors Guild, Inc.
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The Guild is concerned with the art and the craft of conducting, with practical problems encountered within the profession, with repertoire, and with the multiple roles that Music Directors must fulfill in orchestras, choruses, opera and ballet companies, wind ensembles, bands, musical theater, and other instrumental and vocal ensembles, whether these are professional or amateur, functioning independently or within the context of colleges, universities, and secondary or primary schools. The Guild’s overall goal is to enhance the professionalism of conductors by serving as a clearinghouse for knowledge and information regarding the art and practice of conducting; further, to support the artistic growth of orchestras, bands, choruses and other conducted ensembles.
CMA (Country Music Association)
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The CMA’s mission is to heighten the awareness of Country Music and support its on-going growth by recognizing excellence in the genre, serving as a repository for critical and timely information and communication, while providing a forum for industry leadership dialogue toward its goals.
GMA (Gospel Music Association)
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Founded in 1964, the GMA focuses its efforts on a past, present and future model. Through the GMA Foundation and the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame, we aim to preserve the legacies (past) of those that have blazed the trail for Gospel music. Through the GMA Dove Awards, we seek to support and bring awareness to the best and brightest in the current (present) Christian and Gospel music industry. We focus on the future through our training event, IMMERSE, which seeks to develop up-and-coming artists, songwriters and music business professionals.
IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association)
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International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) is the leading non-profit trade organization for live entertainment industry professionals. Founded in 1970, IEBA provides unparalleled networking opportunities and continuing education to its Members to strengthen relationships, foster growth and increase revenue for the live entertainment industry.
ISPA (International Society for the Performing Arts)
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ISPA is a global network of more than 400 leaders in the performing arts with representation from more than 185 cities and all regions of the globe. ISPA members include facilities, performing arts organizations, artist managers, competitions, funders, consultants and other professionals working in the performing arts.
League of American Orchestras
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The League of American Orchestras leads, supports, and champions America’s orchestras and the vitality of the music they perform. Its diverse membership of approximately 800 orchestras across North America runs the gamut from world-renowned symphonies to community groups, from summer festivals to student and youth ensembles. The only national organization dedicated solely to the orchestral experience, the League is a nexus of knowledge and innovation, advocacy, and leadership advancement for managers, musicians, volunteers, and boards.
NACA (National Assoc. of Campus Activities)
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NACA is the premier association for campus engagement and is essential to the success of our members.
Music Writing
American Composers Alliance
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The original and continuing mission of ACA is to promote and disseminate music by its composer members of the past and present and to encourage performances and recordings of their ACA works.
American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers
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A.S.M.A.C.’s purpose is to provide its membership a place to make contact with each other to exchange ideas and information about the art of music and the music industry. A.S.M.A.C. seeks to educate and inform both the general public and the commercial arts community about the roles its members play in the creation of music past and present. A.S.M.A.C. also encourages emerging arrangers and composers in their development.
ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers)
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We are the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), a membership association of more than 500,000 US composers, songwriters, lyricists and music publishers of every kind of music. Through agreements with affiliated international societies, we also represent hundreds of thousands of music creators worldwide. We are the only US performing rights organization created and controlled by composers, songwriters, and music publishers, with a Board of Directors elected by and from our membership.
BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)
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BMI is the bridge between songwriters and the businesses and organizations that want to play their music publicly. As a global leader in music rights management, BMI serves as an advocate for the value of music, representing more than 8.5 million musical works created and owned by more than 650,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers.
Film Music Network
The Film Music Network, established in 1997, is a leading worldwide professional association of composers, songwriters, bands, recording artists and more who are seeking to place their music or compose custom music for film or television projects. One of the Film Music Network’s most popular member benefits is providing leads for projects seeking music or composers, including film projects, television projects, corporate videos, music libraries and more. Additional member benefits include a free introductory legal consultation, discounted movie theater and event tickets, resources including a directory of film music agents and managers, our Film Music Salary and Rate survey, and more.
HFA (Harry Fox Agency)
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In 1927, the National Music Publishers’ Association established HFA to act as an information source, clearinghouse and monitoring service for licensing musical copyrights. HFA is now the nation’s leading provider of rights management, licensing and royalty services for the music industry and issues the largest number of mechanical licenses on behalf of its affiliated publishers for the use of music in both physical and digital distribution formats.
MPA (Music Publishers Association)
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Founded in 1895, the Music Publishers Association is the oldest music trade organization in the United States, fostering communication among publishers, dealers, music educators, and all ultimate users of music. This non-profit association addresses itself to issues pertaining to every area of music publishing with an emphasis on the issues relevant to the publishers of print music for concert and educational purposes.
NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association, International)
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The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade association. Established in 1967, the membership of more than 5,000 active and professional members spans the United States and seven other countries. NSAI is dedicated to protecting the rights of and serving aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music.
New Music USA
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New Music USA is committed to the vitality of the new music community. We mean the whole new music community, from composers to performers to presenters, producers, die-hard fans, casual listeners, curious minds, and beyond. When someone listens, recommends a favorite to a friend, creates or performs a new work, or maybe even commissions a new piece, we’re making the whole community stronger—and bigger.
The SCL (The Society of Composers and Lyricists)
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The Society of Composers and Lyricists is committed to advancing the interests of the film and television music community.
SESAC, Inc.
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SESAC, Inc is a performing rights organization with headquarters in Nashville and offices in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami and London.
SoundExchange
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SoundExchange helps the music and creative community thrive in the digital age. SoundExchange is the independent nonprofit performance rights organization that collects and distributes digital performance royalties to featured artists and copyright holders.
Music Business
A2IM (American Association of Independent Music)
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A2IM is an organization of independent music labels that promotes business opportunity, provides advocacy and representation, as well as networking
opportunities for the independent label community.
AIMP (Association of Independent Music Publishers)
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The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) was formed in 1977 by a group of Los Angeles music publishers and has local chapters in Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville. The organization’s primary focus is to educate and inform music publishers about the most current industry trends and practices by providing a forum for the discussion of the issues and problems confronting the music publishing industry.
Future of Music Coalition
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Future of Music Coalition is a national nonprofit organization that works to ensure a diverse musical culture where artists flourish, are compensated fairly for their work, and where fans can find the music they want.
IAWM (International Alliance for Women in Music)
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The International Alliance for Women in Music builds awareness of women’s contributions to musical life through its publications, website, international competitions, conferences, concert promotion, and presentation, and through its support of entrepreneurial and publishing activities, scholarly research and publications, broadcasts, educational initiatives, and advocacy work.
IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry)
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IFPI is the voice of the recording industry worldwide. We represent the interests of 1,300 record companies from across the globe.
Midem is the place where music makers, cutting-edge technologies, brands, and talents come together under one roof to source, sell and sign new music, digital solutions and innovative ideas.
Music Business Association
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The Music Business Association (Music Biz) is a non-profit membership organization that advances and promotes music commerce — a community committed to the full spectrum of monetization models in the industry. We provide common ground by offering thought leadership, resources and unparalleled networking opportunities, all geared to the specific needs of our membership.
NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants)
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NAMM’s mission is to strengthen the music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music.
NAPAMA (National Association of Performing Arts Managers and Agents)
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NAPAMA is your voice in the performing arts field, whether you are a manager, agent, represented artist, self-managed artist, affiliated business vendor, or presenter.
NARAS (National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences)
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Celebrating music through the GRAMMY Awards for more than 50 years, The Recording Academy continues its rich legacy and ongoing growth as the premier outlet for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community.
NARIP (National Association of Record Industry Professionals)
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The National Association of Record Industry Professional is the biggest music business network in the world, now reaching over 130,000+ around the world. Formed in 1998, NARIP brings together the brightest minds and leading innovators in the global record and music industries. NARIP promoted the cultural and economic benefits of music and copyright in the US and abroad and provides a platform to convey insights and perspectives to improve our business.
NMPA (National Music Publishers Association)
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The National Music Publishers’ Association is the largest U.S. music publishing trade association with over 3000 members.
RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America)
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The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies.
United States Copyright Office (Library of Congress)
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The U.S. Copyright Office and the position of Register of Copyrights were created by Congress in 1897 as a separate department of the Library of Congress. The Office’s registration system and the companion recordation system constitute the world’s largest database of copyrighted works and copyright ownership information.
VLA (Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts)
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Established in 1969, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts is the pioneer in arts-related legal aid and educational programs about the legal and business issues that affect artist and arts organizations.
Women’s Music Business Association
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The Women’s Music Business Association is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to fostering opportunities for women within the music industry through education, networking, industry involvement, community service, and organizational fellowship.
Audio Technology
AES (Audio Engineering Society)
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The Audio Engineering Society is the only professional society devoted exclusively to audio technology. Founded in the United States in 1948, the AES has grown to become an international organization that unites audio engineers, creative artists, scientists and students worldwide by promoting advances in audio and disseminating new knowledge and research.
AMP (Association of Music Producers)
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The Association of Music Producers (AMP) was founded in 1998 for the purpose of educating its members, as well as the production, advertising, and media communities, on all facets of music production, from creation to final use.
ARSC (Association for Recorded Sound Collections)
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The Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and study of sound recordings, in all genres of music and speech, in all formats, and from all periods.
ESA (Entertainment Software Association)
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The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is the U.S. association exclusively dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies that publish computer and video games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet.
International Computer Music Association
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The International Computer Music Association is an international affiliation of individuals and institutions involved in the technical, creative, and performance aspects of computer music. It serves composers, engineers, researchers and musicians who are interested in the integration of music and technology.
SPARS (Society of Professional Audio Recording Studios)
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SPARS (Society of Professional Audio Recording Services) is a nonprofit association representing professionals in the Recording Industry in the U.S.
Music Education
American School Band Directors Association
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When the ASBDA was founded by Dale C. Harris and the other charter members who attended the organizing convention in November of 1953, the intent was to draw together some of the finest minds and best teachers nationally for the purpose of helping influence the direction and furthering the cause of good music in the nation’s public schools.
Canadian Music Educators Association
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The Canadian Music Educators’ Association/l’Association canadienne des musiciens éducateurs serves and connects those interested in music education including current and future educators, students, parents, and members of the community.
The College Music Society
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The College Music Society promotes music teaching and learning, musical creativity and expression, research and dialogue, and diversity and interdisciplinary interaction. A consortium of college, conservatory, university, and independent musicians and scholars interested in all disciplines of music, the Society provides leadership and serves as an agent of change by addressing concerns facing music in higher education.
ISME (International Society for Music Education)
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ISME is a worldwide organization that seeks to celebrate the diverse ways that people engage with and develop in and through, music. Founded in 1953, ISME represents an international, interdisciplinary, intercultural network of professionals who strive to understand and promote music learning across the lifespan. We share a commitment to culture, education, conservation and the durable development of our cultural heritage, and to evidence-based policy and practice.
Jazz Education Network
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The Jazz Education Network is dedicated to advancing education, promoting performance, and developing new audiences
Music Teachers National Association
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In 1876, Theodore Presser and 62 of his colleagues founded the Music Teachers National Association with the purpose of advancing the value of music study and music-making to society while supporting the careers and professionalism of teachers of music.
NAfME (National Association for Music Education)
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National Association for Music Education (NAfME), among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers.
National Band Association
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The National Band Association, founded on September 11, 1960, is the largest professional organization for bands in the world. It was organized for the purpose of promoting the musical and educational significance of bands and is dedicated to the attainment of a high level of excellence for bands and band music.
Society for Ethnomusicology
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SEM is a U.S.-based organization with an international membership of approximately 1,750 individuals dedicated to the study of all forms of music from diverse humanistic and social scientific perspectives. We examine music as central to human experience throughout space and time and explore its profound relationship to cognition, emotion, language, dance, visual arts, spiritual belief, social organization, collective identity, politics, conflict and peace, economics, the physical body, and mental health.
Music Therapy
American Music Therapy Association
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AMTA’s purpose is the progressive development of the therapeutic use of music in rehabilitation, special education, and community settings. Predecessors, unified in 1998, included the National Association for Music Therapy founded in 1950 and the American Association for Music Therapy founded in 1971. AMTA is committed to the advancement of education, training, professional standards, credentials, and research in support of the music therapy profession.
Canadian Association of Music Therapy
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The CAMT is the national body promoting music therapy and supporting, advocating and accrediting music therapists in Canada.