About This Music Career

As the name suggests, a Concert Hall Manager oversees all activities that occur in the facility. Their responsibilities include a wide range of things, including supervising all employees including electricians, ticket sellers, ushers, security, and those people who deal with lighting and sound, among others. Sometimes, the Concert Hall Manager might also hire a publicist or advertising agency to strategize and implement promotions for the Concert Hall.

Another duty of the Concert Hall Manager is to handle the financial business of the hall as well. He or she must try to keep the hall or theater booked for all occasions in order to make money. Performances might include talent bought by the Manager, or sometimes times he or she will rent out the hall to various promoters. Whatever the situation, the individual must negotiate the best price. And, when promoters rent the hall, the individual must attempt to obtain the best rental fee from the interested party.

Along with handling hall financials, the Concert Hall Manager may be responsible for payroll. This is more difficult in some instances than others, because if a union is involved, the individual must see that all regulations are enforced and followed. These unions include the musicians union, the electricians union, and others. Likewise, the Concert Hall Manager must make sure that money owed is available to the act on the night of the performance.

As mentioned, the Concert Hall Manager might hire others to handle the promotion of the hall. Either way, he or she must be knowledgeable about obtaining the most exposure for an event for the least amount of money if they wish for the hall to be successful. Additionally, the Concert Hall Manager must ensure the facility is in good condition and clean at all times. This not only makes for happy customers, but it makes it easier to rent out if everything is clean and win working order. Depending on the age and condition of the hall, it may be refurbished or completely done over at one point or another.

In addition, the Hall Manager must be ready to be the one on the front-line who will be handling all types of crises, including an act not showing up for a performance, union works striking before a show, inclement weather, or unruly patrons.

The individual must work closely with all the media, offering press passes or backstage passes when necessary. This is key, because maintaining a good relationship with the press and other media goes a long way toward helping the theater become successful.

Due to the hours that most performances take place, the Concert Hall Manager works long, irregular hours.

Salaries
Depending on the size, location, and prestige of the venue, along with the qualifications of the individual and the duties they perform, the Concert Hall Manager can earn varying salaries. All things considered, a person managing a small concert theater might earn anything from $26,000 to $33,000 yearly. On the other hand, those who manage larger, more prestigious halls can earn $45,000 to $90,000 or more per year.

Employment
There are different types of halls in a range of sizes, all across the country, so employment prospects for a Concert Hall Manager are fair. As one might expect, major cities have the greatest number of concert halls, but it may be more difficult to obtain a job in these locations. Similarly, smaller cities have fewer opportunities, but jobs are usually easier to obtain.

Advancement
Advancement prospects are also fair. The most common path to career advancement is finding a similar job in a larger, more prestigious concert hall – this might require relocation. Some individuals also move into corporate positions in large arenas or halls.

Education and Training
Some concert halls only require a high school diploma, while others might require candidates to hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree. Majors including music, theater, business, marketing or a related field are all good choices for those in school. There are many courses, workshops, and seminars in theater management, business, bookkeeping, accounting, communications, marketing, and other music business–oriented subjects that are useful to those looking to break into the business.

Experience, Skills, and Personality
Some failing musicians or actors choose to manage concert halls as a way of maintaining contact with the industry. More prestigious facilities generally require three to five years of experience in the field, which can be obtained through positions as Concert Hall Assistants or Managers.

In terms of skills, Concert Hall Managers must be responsible and organized, while maintaining the ability to multitask successfully. They must also be adept at reading concert contracts and the long accompanying riders. As mentioned, regardless of what comes up, the Concert Hall Manager must be able to handle crisis situations calmly and effectively. Individuals should have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Unions and Associations
The International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM) is an association option. Individuals may have to deal with a variety of unions, including the American Federation of Musicians (AFM).

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