Breaking into the Music Industry: Talent Discovery and A&R
Course Details
Key Topics
Learn what an Artist & Repertoire (A&R) rep does and the skills they use for music business management.
What
1 Course | 4 Modules
Start Anytime
Online | Self-Paced
Cost
Payment plans available
NOTE: This course is taught by industry professional(s) and is not included within Full Sail University’s scope of accreditation. No course credits are available for this course.
About This Course
Are you curious about how to become an Artist & Repertoire (A&R) representative? Get a behind-the-scenes look at A&R in today’s music industry with this course from Full Sail DC3. You’ll explore how A&R has evolved from traditional talent scouting to a data-driven, streaming-focused approach, while gaining insight into how professionals discover, evaluate, and develop artists and songs. Through real-world examples and practical exercises, you'll develop strategies for identifying artist potential, understanding marketability, building professional relationships, and navigating key areas such as record deals, music publishing, and artist management. By the end of the course, you’ll have a better understanding of what makes artists and songs “A&R ready” and how to approach the A&R process with confidence and professionalism.
What You'll Learn
- The role and responsibilities of an A&R professional in today's music industry
- How A&R reps discover, evaluate, sign, and develop artists
- The qualities A&R reps look for in artists, songs, and creative partnerships
- Professional strategies to present yourself effectively and pursue industry opportunities
- How to build meaningful relationships with A&R reps and other music industry professionals
- The importance of industry tools and strategies, including demos, EPKs, networking, and social presence, in the A&R process
- Ways to describe key aspects of the music business, including record deals, publishing, marketing, distribution, and resource management
What You’ll Need
Personal streaming platform (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) for listening to music
Laptop or tablet
Access to social media
Enroll Now. Pay over time with Klarna.*
*Monthly financing through Klarna issued by WebBank, member FDIC. CA resident loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Financing Law license.
Our Courses
Full Sail DC3 offers hyper-focused, skills-first courses for career advancers, passion seekers, and anyone looking to upskill. Designed by industry professionals, our self-paced courses prioritize practical skills and give you the specifics you need without the fluff. With opportunities for online collaboration and networking with peers, plus course facilitators who are available to support you, Full Sail DC3 helps you gain knowledge that moves you.
Course Outline
Who This Is For
Anyone who wants to explore talent discovery and management in the music industry. Roles that could benefit from this course include:
- A&R Coordinator
- A&R Assistant
- Independent Artist
- Independent Artist Manager
- Talent Scout
- Artist Development Coordinator
- Independent Label Owner or Team Member
About Full Sail DC3
Full Sail DC3 is a dynamic, short-form education platform that offers online courses. With the values and benefits of Full Sail University, DC3 is backed by over 45 years of experience in entertainment media and emerging technology, as well as more than a decade of experience delivering compelling online education.
Why Choose Full Sail DC3?
45 Years of Experience
Built by Full Sail University, using everything we’ve learned in 45+ years of offering hands-on, project-based degrees for the world of entertainment media and emerging technologies.
Innovative Original Courses
Full Sail DC3 features original content built around what you want to learn.
Curriculum Designed in Collaboration with Industry Leaders
All Full Sail DC3 curriculum is created in collaboration with people who’ve done the work and know the subject - from podcasting to starting an LLC.
Real-Time Access to Educators
As a Full Sail DC3 student, you’ll be able to ask questions and get feedback on your work so you can improve and build your skills.
University-Level Tech Support
Full Sail DC3 Students will have access to the same tech support that drives Full Sail University.
Self-Paced, Flexible Learning Paths
We built Full Sail DC3 to give you the freedom to choose your learning path – learn any time with our self-paced courses, take a single course to learn a new skill, or take multiple courses to build your capabilities. It’s up to you.