Music Journalists

High School

High school courses that will provide you with a firm foundation for a music reporting career include English, journalism, music history, band, communications, typing, and computer science. Speech courses will help you hone your interviewing skills, which are necessary for success as a journalist. In addition, it will be helpful to take college prep courses, such as foreign language, history, math, and science.

Postsecondary Training

Most newspapers, magazines, and other employers of music journalists want reporters with at least a bachelor's degree, and a graduate degree will give you an advantage when applying for positions.

Many music writers have backgrounds in general journalism. More than 1,500 institutions offer programs in journalism, communications, and related programs. For journalism programs, approximately three-fourths of a student's time is devoted to a liberal arts education and one-fourth to the professional study of journalism, with required courses such as introductory mass media, basic reporting and copy editing, history of journalism, and press law and ethics. Students are encouraged to select other journalism courses according to their specific interests (in this case, music classes).

Other music journalists get their educational background in music. They may major in music theory, criticism, or performance and develop their writing skills by minoring in journalism or simply through reporting experience.

In addition to formal course work, most employers look for practical writing experience. If you have worked on high school or college newspapers, yearbooks, or literary magazines, you will make a better candidate, as well as if you have worked for small community newspapers or radio stations, even in unpaid positions. Many book publishers, magazines, newspapers, and radio and television stations have summer internship programs that provide valuable training if you want to learn about the publishing and broadcasting businesses. Interns do many simple tasks, such as running errands and answering phones, but some may be asked to perform research, conduct interviews, or even write some minor pieces.

Certification

Some colleges and universities offer undergraduate and graduate certificate programs in writing, journalism, music journalism, editing, and related fields. Programs typically last six months to a year and are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. Contact schools in your area for information about available programs.

Other Education or Training

A variety of webinars, conference seminars, and other continuing education opportunities are offered by professional organizations such as the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Editorial Freelancers Association, Jazz Journalists Association, National Association for Music Education, News/Media Alliance, Poynter Institute, and the Society of Professional Journalists. Topics include editing, writing, interviewing, social media, and technology. Contact these organizations for more information.