Do You Dream Of Working In The Live Music Industry? This Course Can Help

Industri Education and the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) have partnered to help make a music lover's dream come true. The two companies have teamed up to deliver the two-year course, Live Sound Production, which will provide graduates with the real-life practical knowledge needed to make it in a competitive industry. Not only that, but how to become a live sound engineer when expectations are higher than ever to deliver a great show.

Industri and AIM deliver the Associate Degree of Music (Creative Technology), which features 18 units that teach students about every facet of sound production at live music events. Bruce Johnston, an Aussie audio engineering legend who runs Johnston Audio Services and has mixed sets at Soundwave Festival, for Oasis, Powderfinger, Eskimo Joe, and many more.

"Like the airlines, we’ve had a bit of an exodus from the industry – all at a time when gigs and festivals are back with a vengeance," Johnston said, noting that many veterans of music production left the industry during the Covid-19 pandemic and demand has since grown. "This means the barrier to entry that existed is now gone, and the live music scene is calling out for passionate young people to meet the demand."

Johnston is also a consultant in the new course, so he's interested in the careers of its first students. "Having worked in the industry for over 30 years on everything from Oasis and INXS stadium tours to theatre shows, I know how much technical know-how goes into putting on a successful show. Teaching people the foundations and giving them real-world experience in a controlled setting will be a revolution in gearing the industry up again," he added. 

Experts have structured this course "to ensure that when students graduate, not only can they find a job they love, but they’re positioned to carve out a lifelong career in one of the most exciting and rewarding fields you can work in."

Chair of the AIM Board and former CEO of Warner Music and BMG, Ed St John, commented: "Over recent years, we’ve seen the live music scene evolve into a globalised and professional industry, with bands, venues and punters expecting a higher standard than ever before."

This is where, he says, AIM steps in to provide graduates with essential and versatile skills, as well as assist them in making industry connections that will help them find work. The Associate Degree of Music (Creative Technology) was produced with those elements at the forefront of developers' minds. 

He continued, "Over the course of the two years, students will learn how to use complex software and hardware, gain a deeper understanding of how the industry works, and be embedded in real-life environments that sound professionals work in. They’ll then be able to put those skills to use through one of our industry partners, ensuring a clear pathway to employment."

The course is offered in Melbourne's CBD, and FEE-HELP is available for students. If graduates wish to study more, they will be eligible to continue to AIM's Bachelor's Degree.

Want to have a career in live music? Enrolments for Live Sound Production are now open. A sister course for entertainment management enthusiasts, Live Music Business (Associate Degree of Arts and Entertainment Management), will be offered later this year. Enquire about the course or enrol via the Industri website.