By Matt Wake
Think you have what it takes to help guide Huntsville to becoming a legit “must-see music city”?
The City of Huntsville has a job opening you might be interested in. The city is now accepting applications for a full-time “Huntsville music officer” position, which is being touted as the first of its kind in the U.S. Salary is listed as between $52,603 and $89,211.
The job description describes the position as “the main advocate connecting the City of Huntsville and the music ecosystem. The main goal of the Huntsville music officer is to increase economic opportunities for the music sector in Huntsville by promoting the local music industry and being a resource to the local stakeholders.”
A music ecosystem involves not only musicians, venues and festivals, but also facets like music education, city regulations, rehearsal spaces, lighting and sound, recording studios, etc.
Requirements listed on the music officer job description include “a bachelor’s degree in music, communications, marketing, public relations or related field. Thorough knowledge of the theories and practices of the music industry to expand its presence within and beyond the City of Huntsville.”
You can read the complete music officer job description and apply for the job at governmentjobs. com.
While Huntsville’s never produced a mainstream famous band, there’s no shortage of talented musicians from this area, some of whom have toured internationally, produced/ written music for superstar acts and/or been a part of major label bands. Huntsville is also home to a number of successful behind-the-scenes professionals, including roadies and guitar techs for famous artists. There are also some rising singer/songwriters, rappers and bands from Huntsville worthy of a shot at the next level.
So there’s definitely a lot to build with here. And potentially build up. With the 2020 addition of Von Braun Center’s gleaming Mars Music Hall, and the Huntsville Amphitheater set to debut in 2022, the city’s live venue portfolio is about to become the strongest it’s ever been.
The city council approved 2019 music audit performed by U.K.-based firm Sound Diplomacy recommended the music officer position and a music advisory board, the later of which was established in 2020. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle has made developing Huntsville’s music scene a priority in recent years. In addition to enriching quality of life, a vibrant local music helps make a city more attractive for young professionals and companies that employ them.
“Music is essential to not only our quality of life, but also our local economy,” Battle said in a statement announcing the music officer opening. “No matter who you are or what your background is, music is a universal language that unites us all. There’s no reason why Huntsville can’t be a top destination for musicians and music lovers, and we believe the music officer will help us get to that level.”
The City of Huntsville paid Sound Diplomacy $165,000 to conduct the music audit, which began in April 2018. For context, Huntsville corridor studies have cost between $75,000 to $150,000, according to city officials, and the Western Growth Plan, involving Polaris, Toyota/Mazda and GE Aviation development projects, cost $650,000.
In a statement, Huntsville Manager of Urban & Long-Range Planning Dennis Madsen said: “The music audit offered a road map, but the music officer will need to work very closely with the music board to make adjustments and guide implementation.