YOU MAY HAVE HEARD SOMEONE SAY that a career in music is not for the faint of heart. It’s true. A career in music is for players who have a dream and that “fire-in-the-belly” feeling to sustain it. If your amateur chamber group is together and sounding good, it could be time to go public. The challenge is how to get beyond perfect intonation and subtle phrasing to a promotional kit, webpage, CD—and your first engagements.

It’s no secret that today’s musicians need career-building skills. From Boston to Los Angeles, music schools have developed specialized services for their students and graduates. Some of the skills you need— including writing, public speaking, and networking—might have been part of your life outside the practice room. Proficiency with computers, the Internet, and graphic design can prove helpful. Your members might even possess such business-related skills as strategic planning and fundraising, all of which you will need to apply or develop before getting started.

Chamber ensembles have as many skill sets as they have members, and successful groups share responsibilities: one member might liaise with presenters and coordinate bookings, while others handle travel, website, communication, and programming. Full-service management isn’t feasible for most chamber ensembles, so administration and accounting will be constants in your lives—you may need to get some training to help manage those areas.

You may be able to get the needed training through community college classes, arts foundations, or career skill conferences and workshops.

More on that later.

A PACKAGE DEAL
Getting an engagement starts with a promotional kit. You will need your ensemble and players’ bios, photographs, a repertoire list, and suggested programs. Include a demo CD, if you have one (if not, call local recording studios and compare rates for recording 20 minutes of excerpts). Also include excerpts from press reviews or recommendations from teachers and people who have employed you. Allow time to rewrite and get critiques from mentors and friends.

Besides being well written, professional looking, and attractively presented (“professional” is the operative word here), a compelling packet takes serious self-study: what satisfies and drives your deep need to make music? In words and images, communicate what you offer that is unique, exciting, and important.

Show your competence. Bios highlight your achievements in schools, festivals, and competitions, and your repertoire list and suggested programs tell what you are prepared to offer. Your kit is likely to be one of many on the presenter’s desk, so a convincing visual image or hook to your story is important.

Consider branding your ensemble, so that promoters and audiences have a clear idea about who you are and what you do. You might link your brand to a place, era, or composer, or even to a unique combination of instruments.

For example, the Canadian-based St. Lawrence String Quartet derived its name from that nation’s major waterway, the Juilliard Quartet’s moniker reflects the academic pursuits of its namesake, and the Finnish cello-trio Apocalyptica performs string arrangements of heavy-metal songs.

Your ensemble photograph is crucial to that all-important, first impression. Think it through carefully and make it a good investment. Angela Myles Beeching, director of New England Conservatory Career Services Center, recommends using an experienced photographer specializing in musicians of your genre. Be sure your clothing, hairstyle, facial expression, and posture are consistent with your ensemble personality.