Backstage
A space dedicated to
training and entrepreneurship
It’s_Music Speaks
A program of open and free webinars to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the music industry.
Map of Professions
Discover the diverse career paths offered by the music industry.
Resources
Here you will find studies and guides that will help you understand the professional ecosystem of the sector.
Es_música habla
Una serie de webinars sobre temas clave para el sector
24 de Noviembre 2025 / WEBINAR
Keys to international mobility in the music industry:
USA
Por Jose Luis Cáceres
Map of Professions
CREATIVE FUNCTIONS
COMPOSER/LYRICIST
A person who creates or co-creates musical works and/or the lyrics of a work, trained to write and adapt music in different contexts and formations.
CONDUCTOR (ORCHESTRA OR CHOIR)
Professional who conducts choirs, orchestras, and other instrumental or mixed groups. Must have a broad repertoire and be capable of conducting diverse works, as well as in-depth knowledge of vocal and instrumental technique.
SINGER
A professional who uses their voice as their primary instrument to perform musical works of different styles and genres, conveying emotions, content, and forms of expression through singing.
PERFORMER-INSTRUMENTALIST
People who create or perform music with instruments, bringing works to life. They must have complete mastery of the techniques of performing the instrument and its repertoire, and, where applicable, complementary instruments.
MUSICAL ARRANGER/ADAPTER
People who transform an existing musical composition to adapt it to different contexts, styles, instrumentations, audiences, or languages, while maintaining the musical and creative essence of the work.
SOUND ARTIST
Creators who work with sound as an expressive and artistic material beyond traditional music. They develop works, installations, or performances based on sound, spatial, perceptual, or conceptual exploration.
REMIX SPECIALIST
An artist who creates new versions of songs by remixing existing tracks.
DJ (disc-jockey)
They select, mix, and present live recorded music to create a sound narrative that connects with the audience.
MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHER
Image professional specializing in visually capturing musical activity: concerts, artist portraits, promotional shoots, album covers, or digital content.
MEDIATOR FUNCTIONS
A&R MANAGER
Professional responsible for discovering new talent, supporting the artistic development of musicians, and managing the repertoire within a record label or publishing company.
Artistic representative
Professional who advises and guides an artist’s career, managing their schedule, contracts, and professional relationships
PRODUCTION FUNCTIONS
RECORD LABEL MANAGER
Professional who manages or coordinates the activities of a record label, responsible for publishing (if applicable), producing, promoting, and distributing musical works.
MUSIC PRODUCER
Professional who oversees the entire music recording process, from pre-production to the final master.
MIXING ENGINEER
Technician responsible for combining the individual recorded tracks to achieve a balanced, coherent, and expressive version of the musical work.
MASTERING ENGINEER
Specialist in the final stage of sound production, responsible for preparing recordings for commercial distribution in accordance with the appropriate technical and aesthetic standards.
RECORDING STUDIO TECHNICIAN
Technician who operates and manages the studio’s technical equipment during recording sessions.
MP3 AND VIDEO PRODUCER
Professional responsible for creating digital music content (MP3s, music videos, content for social media) for online distribution and multi-platform consumption.
DIGITAL DISTRIBUTOR
Professional or company responsible for delivering music products (physical or digital) to the end consumer through stores, platforms, or specialized channels.
MANUFACTURING MANAGER
Agent responsible for distributing and hosting music content on digital platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.), facilitating public access to recordings, music videos, and other music products
RECORD STORE MANAGER
Manager of a physical or digital establishment specializing in the sale of recorded music (vinyl records, CDs, cassettes), merchandising, and cultural products related to the music industry.
LIVE FUNCTIONS
CONCERT PROMOTER
People or organizations that organize, finance, and promote concerts and festivals.
FESTIVAL ORGANIZER
Person or team responsible for planning, scheduling, and executing a music festival, integrating multiple artists, venues, activities, and audiences.
Tour manager
Professional who accompanies the artist or group during a tour.
Production Manager
A key figure who coordinates all technical, logistical, and human aspects of concert or tour production, ensuring that the show is executed according to the artistic design, within budget and deadlines, and in accordance with safety standards.
Booking agent
Responsible for hiring artists to perform at various events, whether in concert halls, programs, or festivals, both locally and internationally.
CLUB EVENT PROMOTER
Professional who organizes and promotes music events in nightclubs or venues, selecting artists, defining concepts, and attracting audiences.
MUSIC VENUE MANAGER/PROGRAMMER
Professional responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising the artistic and operational programming of a concert hall or music venue.
SOUND TECHNICIAN
Professional who installs, operates, and supervises sound systems at live events, studios, or cultural venues, ensuring quality, safety, and technical reliability.
Backliner
Technician responsible for musical instruments (backline) at concerts and on tours.
LIGHTING TECHNICIAN
Professional specializing in designing and operating lighting systems for concerts and musical events, creating appropriate visual environments.
AUDIOVISUAL TECHNICIAN
Responsible for capturing, editing, transmitting, and projecting images and video in the context of musical and cultural events, both live and recorded.
STAGE MANAGER
Person responsible for the technical and logistical coordination of a concert or show during rehearsals and its live performance.
SETUP AND SET DESIGN TECHNICIAN
Technician specializing in the installation, preparation, and dismantling of stage elements and structures for concerts, shows, and tours.
LEGAL FUNCTIONS
MUSIC EDITOR
Professional who represents and manages musical works on behalf of their authors, promoting their dissemination, commercial use, and legal protection.
LAWYER SPECIALIZING IN MUSIC RIGHTS
Legal expert in intellectual property, copyright, and contracts related to the creation, exploitation, and commercialization of musical works.
MUSIC SYNCHRONIZATION AGENT
Intermediary who places music in films, series, advertisements, or video games.
PRODUCT LICENSING SPECIALIST
Professional responsible for managing the legal transfer of music usage rights for commercial products, campaigns, video games, objects, or experiences associated with brands.
COMMUNICATION FUNCTIONS
MUSIC MARKETING MANAGER
Professional responsible for designing, producing, and distributing promotional or commercial products linked to an artist, event, or record label.
DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST
Professional dedicated to designing and executing digital marketing strategies for artists, labels, events, or music products in online environments.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Professional dedicated to managing the public image and institutional and media relations of artists, labels, or musical projects.
MUSIC PUBLICIST
They design, plan, and execute advertising campaigns to promote artists, albums, concerts, festivals, or brands related to the music industry.
PRINT OR DIGITAL MEDIA PROFESSIONAL
Journalist, editor, or communicator specializing in music, who generates critical, informative, or promotional content in print or digital media.
BROADCASTING PROFESSIONAL
Professionals who work in broadcasting and communicating musical content on radio, television, or digital platforms, with the ability to inform, entertain, and influence in different formats.
EDUCATIVE FUNCTIONS
MUSIC TEACHER
Qualified professional to teach music in different educational settings, whether in music schools, conservatories, schools, or community projects.
MUSICOLOGIST
A professional qualified to understand, from a global and comprehensive perspective, music in all its aspects—theoretical, technical, practical, and material—across different eras and cultural traditions.
CROSS ROLES FUNCTIONS
BUSINESS MANAGER
Professional who plans, manages, and evaluates cultural or musical projects from a business and strategic perspective, seeking viability and sustainability.
WEB DESIGNER
Specialist in the design, development, and maintenance of websites for artists, labels, festivals, and other players in the music industry.
LUTHIER/MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MAKER
Craftsperson specializing in designing, building, maintaining, and repairing musical instruments, combining technical, acoustic, and artistic knowledge.
INSTRUMENT TUNER
Professional who adjusts the tuning and calibration of musical instruments, especially pianos and tuned percussion instruments, ensuring their tonal accuracy and acoustic stability.
REHEARSAL ROOM MANAGER
Responsible for providing a space where musicians or bands can practice, prepare repertoires, create, or rehearse under appropriate technical conditions.
Resources
Map of Professions
This basic document presents a broad catalog of musical professions, identifying core, auxiliary and transversal profiles through an operational typology for a better understanding of the sector.
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Training map
Its objective is to offer an updated overview of the training ecosystem of the music sector in order to identify needs and opportunities, as well as to provide guidance on the tools that support professionalization and entrepreneurship.
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