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Depending on what type of music manager you are, the duties are huge.

As a music manager you are in charge of making sure you have musicians to play, back up singers if needed and that the needs of the star performer are met.

You will need to make sure the seating is correct, if you are an orchestral music manager.
That all the stands are out and the musicians have their music for that concert. As well as making sure the temperature on stage is neither too hot or too cold, neither of which is good for the instruments.

You will coordinate efforts with the people in charge of lighting to make sure everything is set on their end. If it is a concert venue like a church, you will have to set up lights on the music stands for the musicians to see. Set up and tear down will then all be up to you to do.

Making sure the music is heard and no buzzing or humming is in the system is important and to make sure they heard balanced and that the music blends like it should.

Making contacts with musicians is a huge part of the job, for you need subs when your regular musicians cannot show up, or if you are a music manager for one person or a group, making sure you have the extra musicians and back singers available in the town you are playing in is a big responsiblity.

It is your job to pay the musicians, basically keep them happy, for the happier they are the longer they will want to stay in your gig.

Setting up gigs can be a part of a music manager, and keeping a schedule then of your performances and communicating that to your client and finding out their needs for each gig is then essential.

A music manager is someone who can wear ten different hats and still keep going as if nothing is wrong or out of the ordinary.

You are a sounding board, friend, foe at times, "mother", gofer, set up crew and tear down crew, the financial and payroll person, the one who hires and at times fire people. You are whatever the job calls for and what is needed. If you are on the road and break down, you are more than likely the one to call for a new bus, van, truck, car, whatever you need replaced. You will be the one to make sure the equipment is okay and the one to get it repaired if it is not.

A music manager is one who loves music, loves musicians and wants to help them see their potential in whatever way they can. They are behind the scenes, they get no glory but yet they take pride in their work and in the people they serve. It is rewarding, fulfilling and frustrating, but it is a wonderful job!

Learn more about this author, Samantha Pratt-Tyler.
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