What can I do with a major in Music?
Musicians work in a variety of professions as performers, composers, music publishers, critics, journalists, teachers, curators, and librarians. Musicians may work as instrumentalists or vocalists or they could apply their musical abilities and training with other fields such as sound engineering, music education, music publishing, sales and promotions, and music therapy. Musicians can also pursue careers teaching music in schools, religious organizations, or museums or by giving private music lessons.
Related Occupations:
| Actor/Actress |
Concert Manager |
Mixer |
| Music Teacher |
Special Events Manager |
Audio/Recording Engineer |
| Voice Teacher |
Booking Agent |
Talent Manger |
| Songwriter |
Music Industry Executive |
Agent |
| Music Therapist |
Publicist |
Road Manager |
| Instrument Restoration Specialist |
Salesperson |
Arranger |
| Music Critic |
Marketing Professional |
Librettist |
| Disc Jockey |
Sound Technician |
Advertising Worker |
| Audio/Visual Librarian |
Commentator |
Auctioneer |
| Broadcast Technician |
Editor |
Audiologist |
| Reporter |
Producer |
TV/Radio Director |
| Vocalist |
|
Possible employers of Music majors:
| Public/Private Schools |
Music Libraries |
| Auditoriums |
Colleges/Universities |
| Churches |
Music Publishing Companies |
| Community Agencies |
Religious Organizations |
| Theaters |
Museums |
| Council for the Arts |
Private Clubs |
| Restaurants |
Film Industry |
| Magazines/Journals |
Orchestras |
| Radio/TV Industry |
Skills important for Music majors:
- Good listening, clarifying, questioning, & responding skills
- Ability to improvise
- Strong business acumen
- Ability to distinguish between tones
- Ability to play an instrument, sing, arrange, compose, or read music
- Ability to interact with many different types of people
- Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
- Ability to maintain poise and composure under public scrutiny and criticism
- Possess technical abilities
- Knowledge of melody and harmony as well as musical theories
Personal attributes important for Music majors:
- Creative
- Tenacious
- Independent
- Self-confident
- Self-disciplined
- Possess a desire to inspire others
- Resourceful
- Imaginative
- Versatile
- Charismatic
- Improvisational skills
Related activities for Music majors:
- Do an internship
- Participate in local theater and musical productions
- Play in a band
- Play local venues
- Work part time or volunteer in your high school or college music department
- Write songs
- Join your high school or college band or choir group
- Work as a DJ for a local or college radio station
- Join a music club
- Join a professional music association
- Repair instruments
- Volunteer or work part time for a music therapist or at a radio or TV station
- Give music lessons
Print Resources:
-
Careers in Multimedia. Ziff-Davis Press, 1995.
-
Eikleberry, Carol. The Career Guide for Creative & Unconventional People. Ten Speed Press, 1995.
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Field, Sally. 100 Best Careers in Entertainment. Macmillian General Reference, 1995.
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Goldberg, Jan. Great Jobs for Music Majors. VGM Career Horizons, 1998.
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Hiam, Alex and Susan Angle. Adventure Careers. Career Press, 1995.
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Johnson, Jeff. Careers for Music Lovers & Other Tuneful Types. VGM Career Horizons, 1997.
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US Directory of Entertainment Employers. EEJ Publishing Company, 1998.
Internet Resources:
Professional Associations
- American Federation of Musicians of the U.S. and Canada
- American Music Therapy Association, Inc
- National Association of Schools of Music
- National Music Counsel
This information was adapted from:
Fort Lewis College, Career Service’s homepage: http://cso.fortlewis.edu
