17 Music Curator Interview Questions and Answers

A music curator is responsible for the overall sound and feel of a music venue, whether it’s a radio station, a streaming service, or a live music venue. Curators select the music that will be played and create a cohesive listening experience for the audience.

If you’re interested in becoming a music curator, you’ll need to be able to answer questions about your musical taste, your experience with music curation, and your ability to work with a team. You’ll also need to be familiar with the music industry and the different types of music curation.

To help you prepare for your music curator interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the various types of metadata that can be applied to music files?

Music curators need to be familiar with the various types of metadata that can be applied to music files. This question helps employers determine if you have experience working with this type of information and how well you understand it. In your answer, explain what metadata is and give examples of different types.

Example: “Metadata is data about a file’s content. There are many different types of metadata that can be applied to music files. For example, ID3 tags are used to store song title, artist name, album name and other relevant information. I’ve worked with these tags in my previous role as a music curator. Another type of metadata is called Acoustic Fingerprinting. This type of metadata uses audio fingerprinting technology to identify songs by their unique characteristics.”

What are some of the most important factors you consider when selecting music for a playlist or radio show?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your music curation process and how you make decisions. Use examples from previous experiences to highlight your critical thinking skills, ability to collaborate with others and passion for music.

Example: “I always consider the audience’s preferences when selecting songs for a playlist or radio show. For example, I once curated a playlist for a local bar that played popular rock music. The majority of the patrons were in their 20s, so I included more modern rock songs on the playlist. Another factor I take into consideration is the artist’s popularity. If an artist has recently released new music, I will include it on my playlists to introduce it to listeners.”

How do you organize your time when you have multiple music curation projects due within a short period of time?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your time and manage multiple projects. Use examples from previous experience to explain how you plan out your schedule and complete tasks on time.

Example: “In my last role, I had a lot of music curation projects due within a short period of time. To organize my time, I created a calendar that listed all of the deadlines for each project. This helped me stay organized and ensure I met every deadline. In addition, I scheduled specific times during the week where I could work on each project so I didn’t get overwhelmed.”

What is your process for finding and verifying the authenticity of rare or obscure music recordings?

This question can help the interviewer understand your research and verification skills. Use examples from past projects to explain how you would complete this task in a music curator role.

Example: “I have experience using several online databases that provide information about rare or obscure recordings, including Discogs and MusicBrainz. I also use Google search engines to find relevant articles and blog posts about these recordings. If I’m not able to verify the authenticity of a recording through these resources, I will contact the artist’s management team for more information. In my last position as a music curator, I found an unreleased demo recording by a popular band on YouTube. After verifying its authenticity with the band’s management team, I was able to add it to our library.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to collaborate with other music curators to create a larger project.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences that highlight your communication skills, teamwork abilities and problem-solving skills.

Example: “In my last position as a music curator for a radio station, I worked with other curators to create playlists of different genres and moods. We would meet weekly to discuss what types of songs we wanted to include in our playlists and who was responsible for which ones. This helped us ensure all of our playlists were diverse and included songs from various artists.”

If you saw a music critic making a negative comment about a musician you admire, how would you respond?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and criticism. Use your answer to show that you are willing to stand up for what you believe in, even if it means disagreeing with someone else.

Example: “I would first try to find out why they feel this way about the musician. I might ask them questions like ‘What did you not like about their music?’ or ‘How do you think they could improve?’ If they still seem adamant about their opinion, I would politely tell them that I disagree with their assessment of the musician’s work. I would explain that I admire the musician because of certain qualities, which is why I listen to their music.”

What would you do if you discovered a mistake in the metadata for one of your music archives?

Music curators are responsible for ensuring that the information associated with music files is accurate. This includes details such as artist name, song title and album title. An interviewer may ask this question to assess your attention to detail and organizational skills. In your answer, demonstrate how you would fix a mistake in metadata.

Example: “If I discovered a mistake in the metadata of one of my archives, I would immediately correct it. First, I would make sure that I had the most up-to-date version of the file before making any changes. Then, I would update all relevant information, including the artist’s name, song title and album title. Finally, I would save the updated file and add it back into the archive.”

How well do you perform under pressure when meeting deadlines and working toward tight budgets?

Music curators often work with tight deadlines and budgets. Employers ask this question to learn more about your ability to meet these challenges while still producing quality work. Use your answer to show that you can prioritize tasks, manage time effectively and deliver high-quality results despite the pressure of working under a deadline or budget.

Example: “I am very organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay on top of my deadlines and budgets. I also have excellent communication skills, so I make sure to keep my team members informed about any changes in our projects. This allows everyone to adjust their own schedules as needed to ensure we’re all meeting our goals.”

Do you have experience using music notation software to transcribe musical scores?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with music notation software. If you have previous experience using this type of software, describe how it helped you complete your work and what skills you developed while using it.

Example: “I’ve used Sibelius to transcribe musical scores for several years now. I find that using music notation software helps me understand a piece of music more thoroughly than when I’m just listening to it. When I use Sibelius to transcribe a score, I listen to the song multiple times as I write down notes on the sheet music. This process allows me to develop my ear so I can hear different instruments in the background and pick up on nuances in the music that I might not notice otherwise.”

When would you use a lossy audio format versus a lossless audio format?

This question can help an interviewer determine your knowledge of audio formats and how you would use them in a professional setting. Use examples from past experience to show the interviewer that you know when to use lossy or lossless formats for different purposes.

Example: “In my previous role as music curator, I used both lossy and lossless audio formats depending on what I was doing with the files. For example, if I wanted to share a song online, I would use a lossy format because it’s smaller than a lossless format and easier to upload. However, if I needed to edit a file, I would use a lossless format so I could save all of the original data.”

We want to increase our international reach. How would you promote our music curation channel to new audiences?

Music curation channels often want to expand their reach beyond the borders of their home country. This question helps employers understand how you might help them achieve this goal. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to promote the channel internationally and why those strategies are effective.

Example: “I think one of the best ways to increase international reach is through social media. I would start by creating a presence on all major social media platforms that have an active user base in other countries. For example, if we started a Spanish-language version of our music curation channel, I would create accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for that platform. Then, I would use paid advertising to target users who speak Spanish and live in Latin America.”

Describe your experience with using social media to promote music and musicians.

Social media is a popular way to promote music and musicians. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience using social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to help musicians get more exposure. Use your answer to explain which social media platforms you use most often and why you prefer them. Share an example of how you used these platforms to promote a musician or band’s work in the past.

Example: “I’ve been using social media for years now to promote my favorite bands and musicians. I started out on Facebook, where I would share links to articles about new albums and tour announcements. Eventually, I moved over to Instagram because it was easier to post photos and videos of live performances and behind-the-scenes content. Now, I’m also active on Twitter, where I can interact with fans and other industry professionals.”

What makes you the best candidate for this music curator position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their organization. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your relevant experience and any unique qualities or skills that might be beneficial in this position.

Example: “I am passionate about music and have been listening to it my entire life. I also understand the importance of curating music that appeals to different audiences. In my previous job as a radio DJ, I learned how to create playlists that appealed to many different listeners. This skill has helped me connect with people from all walks of life and find new artists they enjoy.”

Which music genres do you have the most experience with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and whether you have any gaps in your knowledge. If you’re applying for a music curator position at a radio station, for example, it’s likely that you’ll need to be familiar with all types of music. However, if you’re applying for a role as a music curator for an indie band, the employer may only want someone who is knowledgeable about their genre.

Example: “I’ve been listening to rock music since I was a teenager, so I’m very familiar with the current bands and artists in this genre. In my last job, I also curated playlists for pop music fans, so I know what songs are popular right now.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of being a music curator?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what it takes to be a music curator. Use your answer to highlight your knowledge of the role and how you would perform it effectively.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of being a music curator is having a passion for discovering new artists and songs. I love finding new music, so this part of my job comes naturally. However, I also know that curating music requires more than just a love of music. It’s important to have a good understanding of current trends in music and who the target audience is. This helps me make sure that the music I select appeals to listeners.”

How often do you listen to music?

This question can help an interviewer get a better idea of your music knowledge and how often you listen to music. It can also show them what kind of music you enjoy listening to, which can be helpful if the job requires you to curate playlists that appeal to specific audiences. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention some of your favorite artists or genres of music.

Example: “I listen to music almost every day. I find that it helps me stay focused when working on projects and even when I’m just relaxing at home. My favorite genre is indie rock, but I also love classical music and jazz.”

There is a trend in music that you don’t like. How would you address it in your work?

This question is a great way to see how you handle controversial topics in your work. It also shows the interviewer that you are willing to take a stand and defend your position.

Example: “I would address it by first researching why this trend exists, what makes it popular and if there’s any merit to its popularity. Then I would decide whether or not I should include it in my playlist based on the research. If I still feel strongly about excluding it from my playlist, then I will explain my reasoning to my supervisor so they understand my decision.”