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
- 1212 Jobs
- Aesthetics Online
- Berklee Careers in Music
- Center for Computer Research in Music and Accoustics
- Entertainment Recruiting Network
- Music Jobs Online
- Music Network USA
- Record Labels on the Web
- UC San Diego Music Library
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
- Association of Independent Music
www.musicindie.com -
The College Music Society
www.music.org -
Acoustical Society of America
asa.aip.org -
Audio Engineering Society
www.aes.org -
Music Related Associations A-M
www.berklee.edu/careers/associations_a-m.html -
Music Related Associations N-Z
www.berklee.edu/careers/associations_n-z.html
The above information is collected from alumni surveys of numerous colleges, professional associations, and multiple print and online resources.