Music School & Music CareersHow to Become a Musician
Music sales across the globe totaled $15 billion in 2014 alone, according to IFPI, with the majority of money split evenly between digital and physical copy sales. Music is a hugely diverse industry, with position for skilled musicians spanning areas ranging from producing and mixing to performance and orchestration. Whether your aspiration is to lead a world-class symphony, land a gig on the road or compose film scores, the following guide can help. Information about the variety of degrees is included, as well as an in-depth discussion on popular careers in the field.
Completing a music degree opens up a wide world of possibilities for graduates because music plays such an integral role in society. Whether focusing their efforts in composition, performance, teaching or theory, graduates find jobs in symphonies as orchestra members, at schools as teachers, on the road as touring musicians, in studios as session musicians or working with film directors to compose scores for movies and documentaries. They may use their talents to produce music or teach others how to play instruments, and each day promises the opportunity to use artistic and creative skills to produce a beautiful work of art.
How to Get a Music Degree & Career in Music
What Music School
Programs and Degrees Are Available?
Find the Right Music School
| Career Goal and/or educational needs | Associate | Bachelor’s | Master’s | PhD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I took music lessons for a few years when I was younger, but haven’t picked up my instrument in years. While a four-year degree is too intensive, I would like to relearn to play and learn more about the theory behind how music is made. |
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| Having taken years of lessons and played in the high school band, I know that music is my passion. The next step is to continuing practicing and bettering myself, but to also examine music at a collegiate level. I’m excited to join ensembles and dig into music history. |
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| I’ve been playing my whole life and my professional career has revolved around music, but I’m ready to commit myself to further education in hopes of gaining a leadership role in music, perhaps as an orchestral conductor or lead film scorer. |
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| I’ve enjoyed the sometimes unpredictable life that comes with music – particularly my time on the road – but I’m also ready to find a more stable position, and teaching is the path I want to follow. |
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Degrees from Music Schools & Programs
Degrees in music range from two-year associate programs offered by countless community colleges to PhD programs at some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Use the following descriptions to identify the type of program that best suits future interests and goals.
Associate Degree in Music
An associate degree in music provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills they’ll need to further develop their performance or composing skills without requiring four years of study. Most associate programs are tightly focused on courses related to music, while undergraduate degrees also include studies in the liberal arts or sciences.
Music Reading
This introductory class exposes students to the basics of reading sheet music, including common notations, important terminology, signatures of key and time, scales, meter, rhythm, triads and intervals.
Skills Gained
Ability to read sheet music
Understanding of common terminology
Awareness of different ways of playing music and how it is conveyed in written form
Listening to Music
Students learn how to be active listeners in this first-year course and are asked to consider music as both an art and a science. Music from across the world will be studied and dissected throughout the term.
Skills Gained
Understanding of different musical forms
Ability to explain how culture informs musical styles and sounds
Awareness of the different functions of music
Music Composition
Students are exposed to the basic rules of music composition, including common techniques for creating original sounds. Some of the areas covered include songwriting, formal vs. informal structures, score development, and the use of melodies and harmonies.
Skills Gained
Development of elemental songwriting skills
Ability to discuss different styles of music composition
Understanding of how harmonies and melodies are used as tools
Bachelor’s Degree in Music
Music is a popular choice at the undergraduate level as it provides the educational foundations that some employers may be seeking while also exposing students professional study in the art of music. Although students at this level have likely been practicing their instrument for a number of years by the time they reach college, these programs help them develop skills in areas of group performance, individual playing, theory, ear training and composition.
Harmony
Typically required for more than one semester, harmony classes introduce students to harmonic theories and principles throughout different styles of music. Students will be expected to display an understanding of the similarities and differences in harmonic development in areas of jazz, popular music, and classical compositions.
Skills Gained
Understanding of chord structures
Ability to use major and minor keys in composition
Awareness of how harmonics vary by genre
Music Technology
This course teaches students about digital music recording of MIDI files, including how to create, edit, and publish them. In addition to classroom learning, students spend time with the technology and gain hands-on experience.
Skills Gained
Music Business
Although most musicians plan to compose, play, or record music, it never hurts to understand the business side of the industry. This course introduces students to the inner workings of the music industry and acquaints them with various professionals they’ll work with throughout their careers.
Skills Gained
Master’s Degree in Music
A master of music is a popular choice for individuals seeking professional and advanced roles in music; at Yale University, 70 percent of music students are enrolled in this graduate program. Aside from core studies in areas of theory, music history and ear training, students have much room to personalize their studies to future interests and specialize in a particular area of music. Common courses include:
Hearing and Analysis
This course requires students to explore many different styles of music with the end goal of developing aural and analytical skills. Coursework requirements typically includes the composition of a short piece of work demonstrating their understanding of style choices.
Skills Gained
Awareness of different composition choices
Understanding of how to analyze aural components
Development of original composition
Conducting
Students are introduced to the art of conducting in this foundational course. Throughout the semester, learners examine popular conductors throughout time while learning proper baton technique, hand movements, and orchestration.
Skills Gained
Individual Instruction
Taken every semester of a master’s program, private lessons in the student’s primary instrument encouraged continued learning and refinement through advanced studies in composition, performance and conducting.
Skills Gained
PhD Degree in Music
The vast majority of students electing to study music at this level intend to work in a teaching or research position upon graduation, and curriculums are designed to move them closer to that goal. A mix of class lectures, laboratory meetings, private lessons, and group performances are underpinned by advanced study of the theories and frameworks that inform the discipline.
Advanced Composition Projects
This course includes both classroom meetings and laboratory time in an attempt to expose students to the deepest study of composition. Students must be reviewed by a jury after this course to ensure their work is on track.
Skills Gained
Historiography in Practice and Theory
Students are exposed to the many different topics in music that have been theorized over time, ranging from timbre and rhythm to psychoacoustics and notation.
Skills Gained
Foundations of Ethnomusicology
This course in ethnomusicology the study of music within a cultural context, exposes students to the anthropological aspects of the discipline. Coursework includes reviewing the work of foundational ethnomusicologists who popularized the field while also asking students to think about music differently.
Skills Gained
Career Paths in Music
Although sometimes glamorous and always exciting, being a musician isn’t the only career option in the field of music. Individuals can find themselves doing almost anything from headlining a major tour to teaching kids. The following positions are some of the most common in music that provide individuals with an opportunity to pursue a passion, while also showcasing their talents, creativity, and skills.
A&R Representative
A&R reps typically work for record labels. In addition to managing and developing current talent, A&Rs also find new artists to work with and sign to the label. This process includes scouting out talent, reviewing demos, negotiating contracts, and helping artists make career decisions once they’ve signed on with the label.
EducationA postsecondary degree in music, merchandising, business, communications, or marketing is typically required.
Music Therapist
Music therapists utilize music as a form of treatment to help patients with psychological, developmental or emotional issues. They may work with the patient to compose songs, or play music while the patient engages in other therapeutic activities. Due to the universal nature of music, this type of therapy is often used with patients that have trouble communicating in a conventional way, such as young children or those with learning disabilities.
EducationBachelor’s or master’s degree in music therapy. Students can also opt for the graduate equivalency program, which lasts approximately two years.
Music Composer
That catchy earworm from a commercial you heard the other day? A music composer is responsible for creating that tune. Music composers write or compose music for any number of needs, including movies, television shows, commercials, video games, orchestral concerts, and musical theater performances. They also frequently write song lyrics, play instruments, give music lessons and assist other musicians and artists to create or record music.
EducationFormal higher education is not required; however, a bachelor’s degree in music theory or music composition can enhance a resume.
Instrumentalist
The title ‘instrumentalist’ is an all-encompassing term for a musician who plays one or more musical instruments. Where they play is practically limitless, and instrumentalists can be found in orchestras, bands, or as solo artists. They may also be primarily a touring artist and perform across the country and throughout they world, or they may be located in a primary location, such as a major city’s symphony. Job tasks may also include teaching others how to play via music lessons.
EducationThose who want to play in a formal orchestra or other extremely competitive group benefit from a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a music-related field.
High school music teacher
High school music teachers work with students to either begin learning an instrument or advance their existing knowledge from previous classes. Areas of teaching vary but can include music appreciation, band (jazz, concert or marching), music theory, chorus, music composition, digital music, or a specific instrument such as guitar or piano. In addition to music instruction, these professionals may also teach another subject, such as drama or public speaking.
EducationAll states require public high school teachers, including music teachers, to have at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in an area related to the subject they teach. A master’s degree may be required in some states.
Music Journalist
Think about your favorite articles in Rolling Stone or Billboard and you’ll get a good sense of what a career in music journalism entails. Whether reporting on music-related news or producing longer form editorials, the life of a music journalist is varied and interesting. Pieces cover a range of topics, including forthcoming albums, tour reviews, interviews, or news within the industry. In order to stay up-to-date with what’s going on in the industry, music journalists attend social events such as release parties and concerts, and rub elbows with notable individuals in the process.
EducationNo formal education is required; however, a degree in English, communications, journalism, or history can be helpful.
Record Producer
An extremely popular, prestigious and coveted position, record producers work with their artists to pick the best songs, find the right studio for recording, and identify top musical support to create the album or record. This support team includes a music arranger, sound engineer and background singers or instrumentalists to contribute to the overall sound. Even after the recording is done, the record producer oversees the sound editing and makes decisions as to how the final product will be marketed.
EducationA graduate degree in music or a music-related field is recommended.
Music Librarian
A music librarian organizes and oversees a wide collection of different types and forms of music, including both recorded and sheet. In addition to filing, cataloguing and archiving musical media, the librarian may also be asked to help choose certain types of music used in media to ensure it means requisite broadcasting standards and levels of sound quality.
EducationA bachelor’s degree in library science or a music-related field is generally needed, followed by a master’s degree in library science.
Conductor
Also known as a maestro, conductors direct musical groups for the presentation and playing of a musical piece. At a minimum, a conductor will use hand and other gestures to control a group of instrumentalists or vocalists and ensure everyone is playing in the correct tempo, rhythm and style. Most conductors also spend time before a performance reviewing and studying a piece to be played so s/he knows the best way to conduct it, from either a technical or interpretive point of view.
EducationA bachelor’s or master’s degree in music theory, composition or other music-related field is necessary.
Components of a Successful Music Career: Skills, Tools, and Technology
Skills
The world of music requires more than just talent. The following skills will be valuable to anyone who is seeking a career within the industry.
Many people enjoy writing, playing and listening to music, but that doesn’t mean they are exceptionally talented in it. A person needs to be very good at what they are doing to make a career out of it, especially in a competitive environment like the music industry.
Much of an individual’s success in music comes from being original and creating something unique. Because careers in music generally have no set path, creativity is key. The most successful people working in the industry know where they want to be and that getting there may entail unexpected changes or exploring routes never envisioned before.
A career in music is especially unique in that it relies heavily on knowing the right people. To be successful, musicians and music professionals must be ready to promote their own work and ask acquaintances or colleagues to put a good word for them.
It might take a while to get that big break or land a dream job in music, with some of the most successful music icons spending over a decade honing their craft before gaining fame. There will likely be many failures and rejections along with the way, in addition to working less exciting jobs to pay the bills. Reaching professional and musical goals takes time, so the majority of people who succeed in this arena do it for the pure love of music.
Even with knowing the right people and having amazing talent, hard work is still very important for jobs in music, especially for careers as instrumentalists, conductors or vocalists. Author Malcolm Gladwell espouses the idea of the 10,000 hour rule, stating that to truly become exceptional at something, a person needs to practice at least 10,000 hours. Putting that amount of time toward anything requires discipline, concentration, perseverance, and plenty of hard work.
Because music careers are so varied, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact tools and technology required for success in the field. The tools or technology used is largely dependent on the particular job. For example, an instrumentalist’s primary tool will be the musical instrument he or she is proficient in playing. Even a music composer, while having a level of familiarity and proficiency with musical instruments, may work primarily with a sound synthesizer, musical instrument digital interface, and computers when composing or arranging music, instead of handling actual musical instruments.
In addition to any of the plethora of musical instruments and equipment listed above, other types of tools and technology used by those with a career in music may include:
- Baton
- Audio mixer
- Condenser microphone
- Amps
- Portable digital recorder
- Headphones
- Music recording software
Music Career Salaries
Compensation for individuals working in music varies greatly. Factors include the type of role, location, and how successful an individual is in leveraging knowledge and creativity. The chart below lists median salaries for the top music professions.
Job Growth, Prospects, and Outlook in the Music Industry
Given the nature of the field, it is unsurprising that job growth in this arena can be wildly different, depending on the position. While choreographer roles are expected to grow by 24 percent between 2012 and 2022 due to the popularity of dancing in pop culture, directors, composers and musicians will see only a 5 percent growth during the same period. One of the reasons for this slow growth is that many of the employers for these types of jobs – operas, orchestras and musical groups – typically have limited amounts of funding.
The following states offer the highest projected growth for various music professions from 2012 to 2022.
Producer and director
Sound engineering technician
Music instrument repairer and tuner
Choreographer
Musician and singer
Music director and composer
Music School and Career Resources
American Federation of Musicians
In addition to a variety of resources, the AFM also maintains and extensive portion of their website devoted to helping young musicians get their start.
ASCAP
ASCAP is comprised of more than half a million music professionals in the world, including composers, music publishers, and songwriters and helps ensure musicians receive royalties.
Being a Session Musician
John Garden is a composer, mixer, and musician with decades of experience. His website includes a section devoted to sharing everything he knows about being a session musician, including how to find – and keep – work.
Nashville Musicians Association
Nashville a.k.a Music City has long been a concentrated city for musicians, and the NMA connects musicians in the city with jobs.
Music Teachers National Association
Formed in 1862, MTNA has been the leading voice for music teachers in America for more than 150 years. Today the member-based organization provides collegiate chapters, student resources, and a variety of publications.
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