What makes a Music Journalist?”
Music journalism is criticism and reportage about music. It began in the eighteenth century as comment on what is now thought of as ‘classical music’. This aspect of music journalism, today generally classified as music criticism, comprises the study, discussion, evaluation, and interpretation of music and its performance. Modern music criticism is often informed by music theory consideration of the many diverse elements of a musical piece or performance, including (as regards a musical composition) its form and style, and as regards performance, standards of technique and expression. It was expressed, for example, in journals such as Neue Zeitschrift für Musik founded by Robert Schumann, and is continued today in the columns of serious newspapers and journals such as The Musical Times. Today a major branch of music journalism is an aspect of entertainment journalism — covering popular music and including profiles of singers and bands and album reviews. Popular music journalists write
It was SRO (standing room only) at the Cincinnati May Festival May 30 at Music Hall, final night of the annual event. And not just for the extra brasses in Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, who performed from the top of the gallery. Every ticket was sold, something which is not supposed to happen in the 3,516-seat hall, but does once in a great while. Having every seat full only added to the excitement of the evening, which saw music director James Conlon joined onstage before the concert by Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, who presented him with a proclamation honoring his 30 years as May Festival music director. James_and_Ted.jpg James Conlon accepting award from Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, May 31, 2009, Music Hall, Cincinnati A torrential rainstorm slowed traffic on the way to the concert, but the sun came out just in time to get most people inside without being drenched.
Author: Claire Marie Blaustein Why are you reading this right now? Is it because you know who I am (hi mom!)? Is it because you assume I have something interesting to say? Are you looking for something to guide you? Inspire you? Entertain you? These are questions that have plagued me since I first started thinking about the role of the journalist, particularly when it comes to my field of music criticism. I write things, put them out for consumption, but what prompts you, the audience, to consume them? At this year’s Future of Music Policy Summit, I was determined to find out. And the panel on The Future of Music Journalism was just the place. The panel was diverse and star-studded: Maura Johnston of Idolator, David Malitz of the Washington Post, Mike Riggs of Washington City Paper, Howard Mandel the president of the Jazz Journalists Association, Raymond Leon Roker of URB Magazine, Molly Sheridan of New Music Box, Eliot Van Buskirk of Wired.com
Music Journalists – What Do They Do? : Naturally, music journalists write about music and the music business, but there are a few different specializations that exist under that heading. Some music journalists work exclusively in reviews – they reviews new albums, shows, DVD releases and such. Other journalists tend to do more in depth pieces about musicians – they do interviews and cover the people behind the music. Some music journalists focus on writing about the music business itself – and still other writers do a mixed bag of work, combining music reviews, artist interviews and whatever else comes up that warrants press attention. Different Mediums, Different Styles: Music magazines are the most obvious outlet for music journalism, but they are far from the only place you’ll find music related writing. Album reviews run in most general entertainment and men’s/women’s magazines – these publications also sometimes include interviews. Newspapers have varying levels of music coverage,
Naturally, music journalists write about music and the music business, but there are a few different specializations that exist under that heading. Some music journalists work exclusively in reviews – they reviews new albums, shows, DVD releases and such. Other journalists tend to do more in depth pieces about musicians – they do interviews and cover the people behind the music. Some music journalists focus on writing about the music business itself – and still other writers do a mixed bag of work, combining music reviews, artist interviews and whatever else comes up that warrants press attention. Different Mediums, Different Styles: Music magazines are the most obvious outlet for music journalism, but they are far from the only place you’ll find music related writing. Album reviews run in most general entertainment and men’s/women’s magazines – these publications also sometimes include interviews. Newspapers have varying levels of music coverage, from reviews to interviews with tourin
