And the Beat Goes On: Huntsville Announces Plans for Nation’s First Full-Time Music Officer

Strike up the band! Huntsville continues the beat as a “city of firsts.”

From being as the state’s first capital to its key role in putting the first human into space and on the moon to the first joint manufacturing plant for automakers Mazda and Toyota, the city has a long-playing record of being a trend-setter.

Now, the Rocket City can add another notch to its belt.

Huntsville is hiring a full-time music officer – the first such position in the nation.

With such venues as Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center, the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, the Mars Music Hall or the Third Rock outdoor stage, the city is primed to attract top regional, national and international performs.

Add to that, construction is underway on the city’s 8,000-seat outdoor amphitheater at the MidCity District.

A wide-ranging music audit performed by Sound Diplomacy in 2019 recommended the music officer position and a Music Board. The audit, approved by the Huntsville City Council, is an integral part of Mayor Tommy Battle’s Music Initiative.

“Music is essential to not only our quality of life, but also our local economy,” Battle said. “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.”

Kate Durio with Sound Diplomacy said the full-time music officer position will set Huntsville apart from other cities because it’s the first of its kind in the U.S. She also said even though the Rocket City has enjoyed success, fueled by grassroot efforts, the potential for added support and recognition will be significant.

City leaders anticipate significant interest in the position but want someone who is not only a creative thinker, but also understands the value of Huntsville’s music scene in cultural and economic terms.

“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,” said Dennis Madsen, Huntsville’s manager of Urban & Long-Range Planning. “They’ll need to develop their own strong relationships with organizations like the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Arts Huntsville, with venues large and small, and especially with artists and industry professionals.”

According to the city, applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in music, communications, marketing, public relations or a related field from an accredited college or university and have at least five years of experience working in a music, events or related entertainment industry.

The music officer will oversee strategic planning initiatives outlined in the Music Audit while also supporting the city’s existing music sector. The officer will also identify, implement and increase music-related economic opportunities while being a primary point of contact for local, regional and national stakeholders. Candidates will serve as a liaison between with both government officials and those in the music industry.

“The ideal candidate will have to have a lot of initiative,” Madsen said.