45 Compton HS Scholars Tour Warner Music Group
45 Compton High School scholars visited the Warner Music Group offices in Downtown Los Angeles recently. They were treated to a very special tour and incredibly insightful panel discussion from the company’s executives.
The students, who are in Mr. Jones’ Audio Production class and part of the Audio Production Pathway, heard from six senior level executives from Warner’s different divisions including Rhino Entertainment, Warner Records, and Warner Chappell Publishing.
As part of the discussion, the Compton scholars learned about the various jobs within the vast music company like digital marketing, licensing, and A&R operations as well as hearing about the executives’ responsibilities and backgrounds.
Some of the main advice they gave to anyone interested in a job in the music industry was that the business was a relationship business. The more relationships and the more people you know, the better, because that’s how things get done in the business. They also reiterated that because it was a relationship business, you shouldn’t be a jerk to anyone, because you never know when you might want to do something with them in the future.
The Warner Music panel highlighted that one of the best ways to get into the industry was through internships, where you have the opportunity to meet as many people as you can and develop that network.
The executives also discussed the difference between recorded music and song publishing, ownership of music rights, and many other relevant music industry topics. In the end, the Compton High School students received many valuable lessons from leading music executives and got an inside look at what really goes on at a music company.
Warner Music Group (WMG) brings together artists, songwriters, entrepreneurs, and technology that are moving entertainment culture across the globe. The company operates in 70 countries through a network of affiliates and licensees, and includes renowned labels such as 10K Projects, 300 Entertainment, Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, Elektra, Erato, First Night, Fueled By Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin’, Warner Records, Warner Classics, and Warner Music Nashville. WMG’s music publishing arm, Warner Chappell Music, has a catalog of over one million copyrights spanning every musical genre. In addition, WMG counts film and television storytelling powerhouse Warner Music Entertainment among its many brands.