Career Services Header

Career Opportunities with a Major in Music Performance

Many jobs require a college educated individual. College graduates can use their education in a wide variety of occupations.

The Music Performance degree prepares students for further graduate study or for careers as performers or private studio teachers. It also provides a foundation for developing careers in music business, arts administration, and other arts-related specialties. Music students are also finding employment in computer-related fields which draw upon their experience with music technology and the mental disciplines learned in music theory.

 

SKILLS RELATED TO MUSIC PERFORMANCE

  • Good listening, clarifying, questioning and responding skills

  • Ability to use hands/fingers easily and skillfully

  • Able to analyze, interpret, and appropriately convey musical background/theories to others

  • Knowledge of scale/music/composition

  • Ability to practice and concentrate for long periods of time

  • Ability to accept constructive criticism

  • Vocal / instrumental ability

  • Ability to adjust/repair equipment

The following list is a representative sample of job titles for individuals with a Music Performance major. The list represents some, but certainly not all, careers which Music Performance majors may consider.

Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelor's degree.

 

Accompanist Advertising Worker Announcer
Arranger Arts Administrator Auctioneer
Audiologist Audio-Visual Librarian Band Director
Booking Agent Broadcast Technician Church Musician
Composer Copyright Expert Commentator
Concert Manager Critic Cue Selector
Editor Entertainment Manager Film/Music Editor
Instrument Designer Lecturer Lyricist
Media Specialist Museum Music Curator Music Therapist
Musicologist Orchestra Manager Performer
Piano Tuner Producer Public Relations Specialist
Reporter Salesperson Songwriter
Sound Equipment Technician Tape Copier Teacher
Technical Writer Television Director Transcriber
Vocalist
 

EMPLOYERS IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE

  • Educational institutions

  • Churches/Religious institutions

  • Theaters

  • Music libraries

  • Music stores

  • Private clubs

  • Newspapers

  • Auditoriums

  • Museums

  • Recording studios

  • Community symphonies

  • Film industry

  • Radio/TV industy

  • Magazines/Journals

  • Music publishing companies

  • Community agencies

  • Orchestras

 

WEB SITES RELATED TO MUSIC PERFORMANCE

Metro State Music Performance Department Website

 

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

The above information is collected from alumni surveys of numerous colleges, professional associations, and multiple print and online resources.