Professional Associations, Organizations, and Societies
Professional associations, organizations, and societies often hold field-specific conferences, meetings, and workshops that may present networking opportunities with those working in your areas of interest. We encourage you to use the list of associations and organizations below, but do not be limited by it as this is merely a small fraction of the groups that may be of interest to you.
Jump to associations and organizations by field:
- Audio, Sound, Production, Engineering, and Technology
- Business
- Education
- Music Therapy
- Performance
- Writing/Composing
Audio, Sound, Production, Engineering, and Technology
| Organization | Description |
|
AES (Audio Engineering Society) |
Promotes research and commercial interests of designers, manufacturers, buyers, and users of professional and semiprofessional audio equipment. |
|
AMP (Association of Music Producers) |
Educates its members as well as the production, advertising, and media communities on all facets of music production from creation to final use. |
|
SPARS (Society of Professional Audio Recording Studios) |
Unites the manufacturers of audio recording equipment and services with users. |
Business (return to top)
| Organization | Description |
|
AIMP (Association of Independent Music Publishers) |
Educates music publishers about the most current industry trends by providing a forum for the discussion of the issues confronting the music publishing industry. |
|
MIDEM (Marché International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale) |
World’s largest music industry trade fair providing a forum for discussing political and legal issues, new artists, musical trends, and music-related products. |
|
NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) |
Strengthens the music products industry and promotes the benefits of making music. |
|
RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) |
North and South American trade organization that represents the recording industry in the United States. |
| Music Business Association | Nonprofit trade association that seeks to advance and promote music commerce, whether physical, digital, mobile, or more. |
Education (return to top)
| Organization | Description |
|
ISME (International Society for Music Education) |
Serves music educators around the world, and represents all levels and all fields of specialization within music education. |
|
MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) |
Cultivates growth and development for music teaching professionals. |
|
NAfME (National Association for Music Education) |
Connection between Music Educators National Conference and the industry. |
Music Therapy (return to top)
| Organization | Description |
|
AMTA (American Music Therapy Association) |
Organization for the progressive development of the therapeutic use of music in rehabilitation, special education, and community settings. |
|
AMTAS (American Music Therapy Association for Students) |
Promotes awareness, use, and development of music therapy in order to maximize health. |
| WFMT (World Federation of Music Therapy) | International nonprofit organization that brings together music therapy associations and individuals interested in developing and promoting music therapy globally. |
Performance (return to top)
| Organization | Description |
|
AFM (American Federation of Musicians) |
Assists musicians in the U.S. and Canada with fair agreements, music ownership, and benefits. |
|
APAP (Association of Performing Arts Presenters) |
World's largest networking forum and marketplace for performing arts professionals including artists, agents, and emerging arts leaders. |
|
ISPA (International Society for the Performing Arts) |
Develops and educates an international network of arts leaders and professionals who are dedicated to advancing the performing arts. |
|
The Grammys (The Recording Academy) |
Honors achievements in the recording arts and supports the music community. |
Writing/Composing (return to top)
| Organization | Description |
|
ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) |
Performing rights organization representing over 420,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers. |
|
BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) |
Performing rights organization that collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers, and distributes them as royalties to members. |
|
SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors and Composers) |
Performing rights organization in the U.S. with a selective process when affiliating songwriters and publishers. |
| NARIP (National Association of Record Industry Professionals) | Creates access to top executives and experts in the music and record industries. |
