What Could I Do?
A major or minor in music is strongly
recommended for those pursuing a music career to give you detailed
knowledge of the music field. Use your college years to develop your
talents in one or more instruments.
Occupations in Music:
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Performer/ Entertainer
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Disc Jockey
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Conductor/Director
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Music Librarian
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Music Teacher
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Advertising Jingle Writer
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Music Technician
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Instrumentalist
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Vocalist
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Organist
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Arranger
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Piano Technician
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Songwriter/Lyricist
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Composer
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Music Critic
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How Do I Get There?
Here's how to build skills as a Bethel student that will prepare you to compete for some of the most popular music jobs today.
Music Teacher
Strategies:
- Attain teaching certification in your state
- Demonstrate ambition to continually study & improve
- Perfect performance skill in one instrument
- Develop ability to teach others and work in groups
- Gain experience working independently on self-motivated tasks
Music Therapist
Strategies:
- Gain experience working with populations with disabilities
- Increase facility on piano, guitar, and percussion instruments
- Develop skill in adapting music for special needs
- Obtain knowledge of both instrumental and vocal music
- Spend time working with a variety of age groups
Instrumentalist/Vocalist
Strategies:
- Become fluent in sight-reading, transposing, and improvising
- Develop specialized skill in one or more instruments
- Acquire detailed knowledge of instrumental literature
- Demonstrate ability to work with groups and ensembles
Conductor
Strategies:
- Cultivate leadership and diplomacy skills
- Pursue graduate study to develop superior musicianship
- Develop decisive and expressive baton technique
- Obtain specialized skill in one instrument
- Develop dynamic and unique stage personality
Music Industry
Strategies:
- Attain expert knowledge of the business world
- Consider pursuing another major or minor in Business
- Develop specialized skill in one or more music industries
- Gain experience in one or more music industries
- Demonstrate ability to work independently and in groups
Television/Radio Industry
Strategies:
- Demonstrate ability to work under deadlines and pressure
- Develop specialized skill in one or more of the media industries
- Consider another major or minor in a media related field
- Gain extensive knowledge of music technology
- Practice ability to problem solve and improvise on the spot
Organist
Strategies:
- Focus studies in sacred music
- Study classical languages, especially German & Latin
- Acquire skill in motivating and conducting musical groups
- Develop keyboard transposition and improvising skills
- Demonstrate organ performance skills
Music Librarian
Strategies:
- Obtain thorough knowledge of music and musicology
- Acquire working knowledge of classical foreign languages
- Demonstrate experience in library and research techniques
- Pursue graduate studies to develop expertise in field
- Develop knowledge of copyright and performance rights
Prospective Employers
- Public and private schools
- Colleges and universities
- Film companies and theatres
- Non-profit organizations
- Symphony/Orchestra, Opera companies
- Television/Radio companies
- Churches and parachurches
- Music publishing companies
- Music software companies
- Music retail businesses
- Public and private libraries,
- Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, correctional facilities
- Dance bands, night clubs, small ensembles, concert and choral groups
Music Employment Web Sites
General Career Exploration Website - http://online.onetcenter.org
Spotlight on Careers Website - www.spotlightoncareers.org
For current employment websites, type
keywords such as "music employment"
in an online search engine.
Professional Organizations
Adapted From:
http://www2.gasou.edu/sta/career.htm
http://careers.wcu.edu/majors.html