Performing Arts
Music Career Facts
What jobs are available for people who study music?
Musicians perform, compose, conduct, arrange, and teach music. They
may work alone or as part of a group. They may perform before live
audiences or on television or radio, in films, or in a recording
studio.
Instrumental musicians play one or more instruments, in a group or as a soloist. Computer and electronic technology is increasingly used in creating music.
Singers use their own voices as instruments. They perform in many venues.
Many musicians supplement their incomes by teaching. Others teach as a full-time job and may play jobs occasionally. Voice and instrumental teachers work in all levels of education or may teach in their own studios. Many professional musicians give private lessons.
Composers write original music for instruments, voice, or both. Arrangers and orchestrators take a composer's work and transcribe it for various orchestra sections or individuals to perform. They prepare music for films, theatre, television, or recordings. Songwriters may write the words and/or music of songs. Many musicians perform their own work.
What types of skills are required?
All those in performing arts need to have creativity, innate
talent, and the ability to perform, teach, and/or write music. Most
musicians start studying and playing an instrument(s) or singing at
an early age. Participation in school music programs and private
lessons provides early training and experience.
Musicians generally need long and extensive training in order to learn the skills, knowledge, and ability to perform music. Formal training may come through private study or in a college or university music program.
A college degree in music is required for those who teach in elementary or secondary school. To teach in a college or university, a master's or doctoral degree is usually necessary.
What is the employment outlook?
Becoming a professional musician is extremely competitive. Only the
most talented and "lucky" achieve financial success as
professionals. The number of people with the desire to perform will
exceed the number of openings.
Many musicians are employed in religious institutions; in fact, the majority of musicians are employed in churches and temples.
While the employment outlook may seem discouraging, many musicians feel that the satisfaction of doing something they love compensates for the difficulty of the profession.
What is the pay?
Pay varies widely. Those who become "stars" may make millions of
dollars while the majority of those who aspire to become musicians
must supplement their incomes by teaching, working in a religious
institution or having some other job.
What are some related occupations?
Musical instrument repairers and tuners require knowledge of
instruments. Others whose work involves music include actors,
producers, directors, dancers, choreographers, and broadcast and
sound engineers.
*Information included in this report is gathered from Career and Employment Services at Lansing Community College*
