Music
What can I do with this major?
Education
Area
- Teaching
- Research
- Private Lessons
Employer
- K-12 schools, public and private
- Colleges and universities
- Conservatories
- Daycare centers
- Recreation centers
- Children's music programs (franchises, local)
- Studios
- Self-employed
Information / Strategies
- Acquire teaching certificate for public school teaching. Learn about requirements by state.
- Earn a graduate degree to teach in higher education. Specialize in an area such as music theory, composition, music history, etc.
- Performance skill on one instrument or voice is required.
- Gain experience working with children through volunteer or part-time work experiences.
- Join the National Association for Music Education as a collegiate member.
- Develop business relationships with schools and/or music stores to increase client base.
Performance
Area
- Instrumental
- Vocal
Employer
- Orchestras:
- Philharmonic, symphony, and chamber
- Armed Forces bands and orchestras
- Small ensembles
- Rock or jazz groups
- Dance bands
- Concert soloist
- Clubs and restaurants
- Church choirs
- Community choral groups
- Opera companies
- Musical theaters
- Ballet productions
- Recording industry
- Radio, television, and motion picture industries
- Cruise lines
- Amusement parks
Information / Strategies
- Develop musical talent and skill.
- Obtain formal training to acquire necessary skills, knowledge, and ability to interpret music.
- Demonstrate ambition and showmanship.
- Join campus bands and choruses, church choirs, and other performing acts.
- Seek competitions, apprenticeship programs, and workshops to gain experience and recognition.
- Auditions are generally required to join bands or get jobs.
- Be willing to move to a large city with more opportunities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Nashville, Las Vegas, or Chicago.
- Network with people in the industry to learn about potential jobs.
- Opportunities are very limited. Most performers have other careers.
Conducting
Area
- Directing
- Planning
- Leading
- Musician Selection
Employer
- Orchestras:
- Philharmonic, symphony, and chamber
- Armed Forces bands and orchestras
- Various bands
- Choirs
- Choral groups
- Opera companies
- Musical theater companies
Information / Strategies
- Develop superior musicianship and leadership.
- Acquire extensive experience in performing groups.
- Develop advanced site-reading skills.
- Learn other languages such as French, German, Latin, and Italian.
- Gain acceptance into a conductor-training program or related apprenticeship.
- Opportunities are extremely limited.
Composing/Arranging
Area
- Composing
- Arranging
Employer
- Self-employed
- Record companies
- Publishers
- Muzak
- Motion picture and television industries
- Production companies
- Orchestras:
- Philharmonic, symphony, and chamber
- Opera companies
- Musical theater groups
- Ballet troupes
- Broadway
Information / Strategies
- Knowledge of composition, harmony, arranging, and theory are important.
- Skill on one or more instruments and voice are necessary. Play an instrument in a professional arena.
- Become familiar with all types of music productions.
- Learn how to use electronic instruments and synthesizers.
- Develop computer and desktop publishing expertise.
- Attend music conferences and workshops.
- Seek grants and awards through foundations, e.g. one from the National Endowment of the Arts.
- Very few musicians earn living through composing.
Music Libraries
Employer
- Colleges and universities
- Conservatories
- Public libraries
- Radio and television stations
- Motion picture studies
Information / Strategies
- Develop computer and research skills.
- Gain thorough knowledge of music and musicology.
- Earn a master's degree in library/information science.
- Work in a campus or public library to gain relevant experience.
- Develop good organizational and technology skills.
- Learn to understand foreign languages, particularly Italian, Latin, German, and French.
- Join the Music Library Association.
Communications (Broadcasting)
Area
- Music and Program Direction
- On Air Performance
- Promotion
- Voice Overs
- Copyright/Clearance Administration
- Music License Administration
- Music Editing, Production, and Composing
- Sound Mixing
- Post Production
- Research
Employer
- Radio and television stations
- Virtual reality sound environments
- e.g. Internet sites, software creators
Information / Strategies
- Take classes in communications, broadcasting, or journalism.
- Work at on-campus radio station.
- Complete an internship at a television or radio station.
- Develop computer-related skills such as software development and programming.
Music Therapy
Employer
- Hospitals: general and psychiatric
- Special education facilities
- Mental health centers
- Nursing homes and senior centers
- Rehabilitation centers
- Correctional facilities
- Private practice
- Outpatient clinics
- Schools
Information / Strategies
- Take courses in psychology, social work, or education.
- Earn a master's degree in music therapy and seek certification.
- Volunteer in a rehabilitation setting.
- Demonstrate a genuine interest in helping people.
- Learn to work well with all types of people.
- Develop a broad array of musical talents.
Behind The Scenes
Area
- Audio Technician
- Boom Operator
- General Director
- Music Video Producer
- Recording Engineer
- Set Up
- Recordist
- Rerecording Mixer
- Sound Engineer
- Sound Technician
- Sound/Production Mixer
- Stage Manager
Employer
- Local bands
- Regional bands
- Production companies
- Theater groups
- Orchestras
- Armed Forces
- Radio, television, and motion picture industries
Information / Strategies
- Shadow an individual who is in the music industry in an area of interest.
- Volunteer in community, school, or church productions.
- Gain expertise in the areas of musical and technical knowledge, sound board, and sound equipment.
- Take courses in areas such as broadcasting, engineering, or computer science to learn technical skills.
- Complete an internship with a recording company or other relevant organization.
- Research seminars, workshops, and professional associations that could provide useful information or contacts.
- Check trade journals and association bulletins for possible employment.
Music Industry/Business
Area
- Publishing and Editing
- Producing
- Recording
- Engineering
- Manufacturing
- Talent Acquisition
- Artist/Talent Representation
- Promotion/Media Relations
- Publicity
- Administration
- Marketing
- Booking
- Product Management
- Business Management
- Retail Sales
Employer
- Production recording studios (most located in New York City, Los Angeles, and Nashville)
- Music management groups
- Agencies
- Music and record stores
- Instrument manufacturers
Information / Strategies
- Complete an internship at a record company.
- Take business courses to work in management or administration.
- Journalism, public relations, and communication classes are helpful for work in areas of promotion.
- Gain sales experience for marketing. Learn to interact well with people and develop persuasion tools.
- Knowledge of electronics, audio engineering, and recording knowledge required for production.
- Work or volunteer at a campus or local radio station.
- Join organizations involved with bringing events and entertainment to campus.
- Work at a retail record store to learn about the industry.
- Volunteer to help promote a local or campus band with their promotions and bookings.
- Gain a broad knowledge of music and the industry.
- Build a strong network of contacts.
- Develop skills such as negotiation, assertiveness, the ability to recognize talent, and working under pressure.
Miscellaneous
Area
- Music Journalism
- Law
- Music Analysis
Employer
- Music-related publications
- Magazines and newspapers
- Entertainment or music focused Internet sites
- Entertainment law firms
- Production companies
Information / Strategies
- Take courses in journalism and English.
- Write articles for campus newspaper.
- Prepare for law school and earn a law degree (J.D.)
- For music analysis:
- Develop the ability to read and transcribe well.
- Gain knowledge with use of high tech digital computers to analyze music.
- Move to a larger city where more opportunities exist.
General Information and Strategies
- Majoring in music provides students with a sense of aesthetics and an understanding of human expression valuable to many employers.
- Develop competencies in business management, computers, marketing, or other areas to broaden range of employment possibilities.
- Finding positions in the music industry requires a combination of talent, training, connections and some luck. Perserverance is required!
- Develop a variety of skills. Become "multitalented."
- As an undergraduate, gain as much experience as possible, paid or unpaid, through college and local organizations. Seek internships or volunteer positions with relevant organizations.
- Confidence, personality, a positive attitude, and a love of music are important to success in many arenas of music. Learn basic tools of self-promotion.
- Some jobs may require you to join unions or guilds. Research the industry to learn which ones are appropriate.
- Performers often travel frequently and must be flexible regarding their work schedules.
- Move to a larger city such as Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, or Chicago to find more job opportunities.