Music
Careers
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Audio Engineering
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Production Music |
- Potential earnings
- Education required
- Personal qualifications,
- Knowledge, and
- Skill you will need.
Music Teaching in Elementary and Secondary SchoolsClearly, the largest number of full-time music teaching positions exists in public and private schools. In preschools, kindergartens, elementary schools, and day-care centers, the music teacher provides guidance for activities such as singing, listening, playing instruments, moving and dancing, composing, and experimenting with music patterns. Teachers, supervisors, or directors of music in middle, junior
high, and senior high schools provide direction for choral and
instrumental organizations, small Music educators in the public schools may find opportunities
for extra remuneration for service as conductors of church choirs,
community music organizations, or recreational programs. In many
communities, the music department of the public schools is the focal
point of the community's musical life. Music Teaching in Post-Secondary SchoolsMusic teachers at institutions of higher education usually are expected to specialize in one or two areas, such as music theory, music history and literature, music education, musicology, performance, electronic music, composition, conducting, or music therapy. The salaries for college or university music teaching vary considerably with the type of institution and its location. In many cases, college faculties are recruited from people who have had successful professional careers as performers or as music teachers. A college music educator, however, usually must have earned at least a master's degree in music. A great many institutions require a doctorate. The music
programs in institutions of higher education constitute one of the main
sources of music standards and performances. Studio TeachingThe studio of a private teacher may be
located in a home, school, office building, or music store. Those who
teach in the home are self-employed, Satisfactory teaching arrangements sometimes can be made with the various types of schools that need individual music instructors. Salaries and Requirements for Teacher/Supervisor 1. Public school (approximate earnings $17,000-$45,000) Personal Qualifications: Music talent, Ability to work with people, Ambition to continually study and improve, Be inspiring, convincing, patient, Enjoy people and desire to help them learn. Knowledge and Skills Required: Broad cultural background, Extensive knowledge of music, Performance skill on one instrument or voice, Ability and skill in teaching people, Administrative ability necessary for supervisor and self-employed studio teacher. Recommended Precollege Training: Completion of high school, Ability to read music, Some performance skill on one instrument or voice, Study music in school or privately, Keyboard skill.
Music TherapistWith increased awareness of the rights of
children and adults with disabilities, the importance of trained music
therapists has increased. These highly Music Therapist (approximate earnings $16,000-$70,000) Personal Qualifications: Music talent and skill, Ability to work with disabled people, Human understanding and insight, Emotional stability. Knowledge and Skills Required: Skilled and a versatile musician, Knowledge of behavioral and physical sciences, Facility on piano, guitar, or other instruments, Skilled in adapting music, Knowledge of instruments and voice. Recommended Precollege Training: Completion of high school, Ability to read music, Some performance skill on one instrument or voice, Study of music in school or privately, Keyboard skill.
PerformanceTo many young people, music performance as a career means giving concerts. The glamour of becoming a concert artist attracts many people, but opportunities for a career in music performance are very limited, and great perseverance and stamina are required for success. In addition to solo performance careers, there are performance opportunities in chamber music, folk, rock, and pop music, as well as free-lance concert and studio opportunities. Performance careers differ widely and depend a great deal upon the instrument played and the performance medium. Most performers combine their activities with other careers in music. In general, concert performers pay their own travel and management fees. Salaries and Requirements for Music Instrumentalist Personal Qualifications: Musical talent and skill, Ability to work with people, Ambition to continually study and improve. Knowledge and Skills Required: Specialized skill in one or more instruments, Fluency in sight-reading, transposing, improvising, Skill in ensemble playing, Knowledge of instrumental literature. Recommended Precollege Training: Completion of high school, Ability to read music, Some performance skill on one instrument, Experience in high school orchestra, band, or small ensembles, Solo experience. Salaries and Requirement for a Vocalist Personal Qualifications: Musical talent and skill, Ability to work with people, Ambition to continually study and improve, Excellent voice, Showmanship. Knowledge and Skills Required: Specialized skill in singing and interpretation of songs, Knowledge of choral music techniques, Knowledge of foreign languages and vocal literature, Skill in sight singing and memorizing, Practical facility at the piano. Recommended Precollege Training: Completion of high school, Ability to read music, Background in piano, Some performance skill in singing, Experience in singing groups.
Church/Temple MusicianA career as a church or temple music
director or organist combines music performance and teaching. Most
musicians for religious institutions are employed part-time, although
large congregations may employ a full-time music director or minister
of music. In addition to being competent Salaries and Requirements of Church/Temple Musicians $7,800 to $44,500 part-time (less than 30 hours per
week) Personal Qualifications: Musical talent, Commitment to earning, playing and teaching religious music, Ability to work with and motivate people, Well-organized. Knowledge and Skills Required: Organ performance, Conducting
and voice pedagogy, Sight-reading and open score reading, Keyboard
transposition and Recommended Precollege Training: Completion of high school, Ability to read music, High-level keyboard skills (organists), Foreign language study.
Composer and ConductorVery few composers make a living from composing, but the nonmonetary rewards for writing classical or popular music are great. Some composers earn a living arranging music for school performance groups or writing music for radio or television advertising. Successful composers receive commissions to write for specific occasions, ensembles, soloists, or institutions. Commissions and mechanicals income from the sales of recordings are important sources of income for composers. Conductors, like composers, often rely on supplemental income from teaching or guest appearances. Some conductors with international reputations can become wealthy, while a few hundred conductors will make very comfortable salaries. Salaries and Requirements for Composer, Arranger,
Orchestrator, Copyist Personal Qualifications: Great music talent, Creativity, Continual perseverance, Confidence. Knowledge and Skills Required: Knowledge of electronic
instruments, synthesizer, and electronic theory, Recommended Precollege Training: Completion of high school, Ability to read music, Some performance skill on one or more instruments, Experience in playing, singing. Salaries and Requirements for Conductor Personal Qualifications: Great musical talent, Leadership, Superior diplomacy, Dynamic and unique stage personality. Knowledge and Skills Required: Recommended Precollege Training: Completion of high school, Ability to read music, Some performance skill on piano and one instrument or voice, Experience in performing groups.
Music IndustryThe music industry is broad in scope and
encompasses retail, wholesale, manufacturing, importing, exporting,
publishing, recording, repair and Salaries and Requirements for Music Industry Personal Qualifications: Ability to work with people, Interest in music and business. Knowledge and Skills Required: Specialized skill and knowledge in one or more of the music industries; varies widely. Recommended Precollege Training: Completion of high school, experience in one or more of the related music industries. Television/Radio IndustryThe television and radio industries encompass a wide range of careers, including composition, scoring, production, editing, clearing copyrights, and licensing. Career opportunities are available at television and radio stations, production houses, postproduction facilities, and a host of related organizations involved in producing and distributing programming for television and radio. Society is increasingly dependent on the media as a source for news, information, entertainment, cultural and performing arts, and leisure activities. The proliferation of cable networks has greatly expanded the number of outlets for video productions and the need for related personnel. Television and radio are growth industries that offer many opportunities for those with appropriate backgrounds, technical skills and experience, and perseverance. Salaries and Requirements for Television/Radio Industry Personal Qualifications: Musical talent, Interest in music and media, Ability to work with people, often under tight deadlines and intense pressure. Knowledge and Skills Required: Specialized skill and knowledge in one or more or the television/radio industries; varies widely. Recommended Precollege Training: Completion of high school, Experience in one or more of the related fields. Production Music
for TV, Commercials, Video Games and more. This is arguably the most
explosive part of the music industry. As record labels continue to fail
do to piracy and slumping CD sales, more musicians are turning to
writing music for television, movies and commercials. There are huge
revenues to be made in this music career and royalties can
be generated for life. For more complete information about how to get
into the Production Music business,
including complete contact listings for you to send your music to,
visit www.sellproductionmusic.com. Music LibrarianColleges and public libraries
offer opportunities for trained music specialists with knowledge of
library and research techniques. Music librarians are involved in
research and reference, indexing, cataloging, selecting materials for
purchase, and community relations. Skills in handling computerized
information are increasingly important. Some opportunities for music
librarians also exist in radio, television, and motion pictures. Salaries and Requirements for Music
Librarian Personal Qualifications: Ability to work with
people, Interest in music, books, recordings, professional problems,
and research. Knowledge and Skills Required: Thorough
knowledge of music and musicology, Working knowledge of German and
French, Library training or some knowledge of library and research
techniques, Some knowledge of copyright and performance rights.
Graduate degree in Library/lnformation Science. Recommended Precollege Training: Completion of
high school Other CareersIn addition to the careers in
music mentioned above, some opportunities exist for musicologists,
music business attorneys, architectural acoustic consultants, and arts
administrators. In the publishing industry, most large newspapers and
magazines and many smaller periodicals hire a music reporter or critic
who combines knowledge and enjoyment of music with a writing or editing
career. Other careers include music historian, biographer, and
Iyricist. Reflecting dignity and prestige, each of the music careers
brings satisfaction and happiness to the lives of countless people.
Thousands of persons in the Training is usually necessary. From "Careers in Music" -- Copyright ©
2001 by MENC--The National Association for Music Education |
Copyright © 1990-1999 Foster Music Enterprises, All Rights Reserved