Organising Music
Theory, Practice, Performance

This book applies organisation theory to the creative and performance aspects of music, through a dialogue between organisation theorists and practising musicians.

Nic Beech (Edited by), Charlotte Gilmore (Edited by)

9781107040953, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 5 February 2015

446 pages, 2 b/w illus. 2 tables
23.7 x 16 x 3 cm, 0.8 kg

'How the music industry plays to work has always fascinated management theorists. In this book, the free and easy open play of the music industry collides with organisational theory - to mutual benefit.' John Wallace, CBE, Former Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Organisational theorists have become increasingly interested in the creative industries, where practices that are commonplace are of particular interest to organisations in other sectors as they look for new ways to enhance performance. Focusing on the music industry, this book sets up a unique dialogue between leading organisational theorists and music professionals. Part I explores links between organisation theory and the creative industries literature, concentrating on practices of organising and knowledge mobilisation, followed by an in-depth discussion of key theoretical concepts by subject experts. Part II provides a diverse range of 'tales from the field', including examples from classical orchestras, folk, indie and punk. The concluding chapter examines the shared dialogue to reveal what practice in the musical field can learn from organisational theory, and vice versa. This innovative book will interest graduate students and researchers in the fields of organisation studies, music management and the creative industries.

1. Introduction Nic Beech, Stephen Broad, Ann Cunliffe, Celia Duffy and Charlotte Gilmore
Part I. Orienting Ideas: Organisation and Organising: 2. Music and the aesthetic study of organisational life Antonio Strati
3. Organising and storytelling David Sims
4. Organising, music and metaphor: of connections, comparisons and correspondences Cliff Oswick
5. Resisting change and changing resistance Robyn Thomas
6. Identity work: organising the self, organising music Christine Coupland
7. Creative strategy Chris Bilton and Steve Cummings
Markets and engagement between production and consumption: 8. Music and the making of markets Katy J. Mason
9. Consumers and marketing Mike Saren
10. Branding and the music market Chris Hackley
11. Being in the room Alan McCusker Thompson
12. Music and marketing Alan Bradshaw
Organising in complex environments: 13. Complexity theory Robert MacIntosh and Donald MacLean
14. On leading in networks: the role of reflexive practices Paul Hibbert
15. All of me: art, industry and identity struggles Casper Hoedemaekers and Sierk Ybema
16. The process of improvisation Simon Rose and Raymond MacDonald
17. Managing artistic work in the real world Davide Nicolini and Gail Greig
Part II. Tales of Experience: Organising and Performing: 18. Organising playing: reflections on the festival business Nod Knowles
Organising music festivals Louise Mitchell and Dimi Stoyanova Russell
Organising and playing a boutique festival Johnny Lynch and Gretchen Larsen
Managing the Zoeys: some reminiscences Martin Cloonan
Managing a punk band Marco Panagopoulos and Shiona Chillas
Blogging, running a label and band management Lloyd Meredith and Shiona Chillas
The organising and artistic demands of orchestral performances Simon Webb and Martin Dowling
Leadership in the BBC Philharmonic Richard Wigley and Elizabeth Gulledge
Orchestrating a flashmob: reach and reputation Jane Donald and Gail Grieg
Developing a university's musical culture: a partnership approach Michael Downes
Organising the National Pop League events John Hunt, Carlo Zanotti and Charlotte Gilmore
Starting record label: Song by Toad Matthew Young and Dimi Stoyanova Russell
19. Playing and organising: traditional music and the network Lori Watson and Charlotte Gilmore
Multiple simultaneous projects in traditional and electronica and orchestral music Chris Stout and Charlotte Gilmore
Storytelling and performance R. M. Hubbert and Elizabeth Gulledge
Creating and making an album Jenny Reeve and Charlotte Gilmore
Relationships between music, management, agents and labels Jill O'Sullivan and Shiona Chillas
Dead or American: reasons to be fearless Chris Cusak
Experiencing a creative journey Martin Henry and Daragh O'Reilly
Musical identity: solo artist and band projects Ben Talbot Dunn and Kevina Cody
An embodiment of a band Duglas T. Stewart, Charlotte Gilmore and Peter Keenan
Rock music on the big stage Jim Prime and Peter Keenan
Playing in the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Lance Green, Katy MacKintosh and Charlotte Gilmore
Reflections of a gigging musician Ian Smith and Charlotte Gilmore
20. Next steps in the dialogue: insights for practising and theorising Charlotte Gilmore and Nic Beech
Index.

Subject Areas: Organizational theory & behaviour [KJU], Music [AV]