This document provides a lesson plan about networking and collaboration in music careers and other fields. The lesson introduces students to how collaboration works within their music classes and between music professionals. It also discusses how collaborative skills learned through music can apply to other careers. Students complete a worksheet where they research music careers, build example networks, and compare collaboration in music and non-music jobs. The goal is for students to understand collaborative skills are valuable for all careers.

1. MUSICLESSONPLAN
CAREERSTHROUGH

2. Careers In and Through Music Lesson 1: Networking and Collaboration in Music and Beyond
In partnership with the USC Thornton School of Music
Careers Through Music:
A series of lesson plans on the value of studying music in preparation for all careers
Lesson 1: Networking and Collaboration in Music and Beyond
(Created by Chris Sampson Edited by David R. Sears)
Lesson Format: This lesson plan is designed to be easily incorporated into your band, orchestra,
choral or other middle or high school music class. It is suggested that you take 8-10 minutes at the
beginning of a class to introduce the topic, take any questions and assign the included worksheet.
On the due date of the worksheet, schedule another 8-10 minutes to reflect and summarize the
lesson and answer any final questions.
Introduction: Among the most important skill sets learned through the study of music is
collaboration. The experience of successful collaboration and working with a team can be
something your students take with them into their professional lives whether they plan on pursuing
music as a career or not. The purpose of this lesson is to introduce high school music students to
networking and collaboration, demonstrate how it works in their music class, in the music profession,
and show them the value of this skill in other professional environments.
Learning Objectives: From this lesson, students should be able to:
• Articulate how successful collaboration takes place in their music class – both in and out of
the classroom
• Identify and describe multiple music related careers
• Describe how these careers interact and are inter-dependent in a music network
• Compare and contrast collaborative work environments in other fields outside of music
• Articulate the basic skills necessary for successful collaboration and networking
8-10 Minute Lesson Introduction: At the beginning of a class, inform students that you will be
presenting how collaboration and networking works in a music environment and how these skills can
be applied to virtually all career pursuits. Teachers are encouraged to draw upon their own
experience and examples when presenting this material. Describe examples of collaboration that
take place within your music classroom such as:
• Among stand partners
• Within ensemble sections
• Between director and ensemble
• Between accompanist and ensemble director
Describe how collaboration takes place between your music class and outside partners to meet
specific goals such as presenting a concert:
• Interaction with department chair or administration
• Coordination with facilities and technical personnel
• Interaction with community, parents or volunteers

3. Careers In and Through Music Lesson 1: Networking and Collaboration in Music and Beyond
In partnership with the USC Thornton School of Music
Show connection to other career fields: Explain that the experience of successful collaboration
and working with a team that is learned in music class also takes place in virtually all other career
fields: e.g. the medical field, tech sector, engineering, manufacturing, education, etc. (Again,
teachers are encouraged to draw upon their own experience and knowledge of non-music fields
while providing examples.)
• Make a point of emphasis that successful collaboration is mutually beneficial among team
members and that it doesn’t simply involve obtaining things that are exclusively beneficial to
you.
• Answer any questions that your class may have.
Worksheet Assignment: Distribute the two-page worksheet below to your students and provide a
due date that works best with the schedule of your class. Tell students to be prepared to discuss
their work on the due date.
8-10 Minute Lesson Summary and Reflection: On the due date of the worksheet, schedule 8-10
minutes at the beginning of class to review and summarize the lesson. Encourage discussion
among the class. As part of the discussion, have students articulate:
• How networking and collaboration takes place in their music class
• How networking and collaboration takes place in music careers
• How networking and collaboration takes place in careers outside of music
• How the skills learned in music can be related to careers outside of music
Answer any final questions or discuss any final reflections students may have.
Next in this Lesson Series: Future lessons will include experiential exercises for your students to
put these skills into practice to benefit your music program.
Questions: Should you have any questions about this lesson plan or need assistance, please send
an email to education@grammy.com.
Visit www.grammyintheschools.com for more information on all of our GRAMMY Camp®
programs
— Summer Session, Jazz Session and the Music Educator Award™.

4. Careers In and Through Music Lesson 1: Networking and Collaboration in Music and Beyond
Songwriter
Music
Producer
Arranger
Lawyer
Internet
Distributor
Publisher
Studio
Musician
Audio
Engineer
Orchestrator
Orchestral
Musician
Orchestra
Manager
Collaborative
Pianist
Orchestra
Conductor
Music
Historian
Doctor
Instrument
Repair Person
Music Critic
In partnership with the USC Thornton School of Music
Careers Through Music: Student Worksheet
Part I: Collaborating in a Professional Music Network
Below are two charts representing the professional music network for two different music careers: a
songwriter and an orchestral musician. The chart represents the various other music professionals
which the songwriter and orchestral musician will collaborate with, therefore, creating their network.
Songwriter Professional Network
Orchestral Musician Professional Network

5. Careers In and Through Music Lesson 1: Networking and Collaboration in Music and Beyond
In partnership with the USC Thornton School of Music
Careers Through Music: Student Worksheet
Research at least three of the career fields in the outer circles that the songwriter and orchestral
musician will collaborate with (six total) to find out more about their jobs.
Briefly describe how the songwriter will collaborate with the three other careers you selected:
Briefly describe how the orchestral musician will collaborate with the three other careers you
selected:
Part II A: Build a Professional Network - complete the following on a separate sheet of paper
From the list of music professions below, you are going to create a chart similar to the songwriter
and orchestral musician examples in Part I.
1. Choose one of the lists of music careers below.
2. Research each career in the list to find out more about their jobs.
3. From the list you selected, choose one profession to be at the “center” and create a similar
chart as in Part I to show the relationship among the other professions.
4. Briefly describe how the careers in the outer circle will collaborate with the career in the
center.
Part II B: Build a Professional Network - complete the following on a separate sheet of paper
List A List B List C
Touring Musician Private Studio Teacher Acoustician
Choreographer Youth Ensemble Director Studio Owner
Instrument Repairman Education Consultant Audio Engineer
Booking Agent Concert Hall Manager Studio Musician
Now, from the list of non-music professions below, you are going to create a chart similar to the
songwriter and orchestral musician examples in Part I.
1. Choose one of the lists of careers below.
a. If there is a specific career field of interest to you that is not listed below, you may
use it and find four related jobs to complete this exercise.
2. With this chosen list, complete steps 2, 3 & 4 from Part II A above.
Tech Sector Engineering Education
QA Managers City Planner Principal
Software Developer Construction Manger School Board Member
Mobile Developer Civil Engineer Special Education Instructor
IT Manager Drafting and Design Engineer Superintendent
Briefly compare how successful collaboration takes place in your music class, the music profession
and in non-music professions. Be prepared to discuss in class with your instructor.

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