A Fulfulling Career in the Arts

Why even study music? What can you even do with a music degree?

Article Courtesy of @ Kate Bittner

I hear this so often from folks who are nervous about investing money in college for their student when they’re not convinced that music will help them pay the bills and feed themselves after they graduate. Sure, they might not make the same salary as a doctor or lawyer, but there is immense value in pursuing a career in the arts, both financially (with the right skills) and that’s personally fulfilling.

A music degree can open up various career paths, both within and beyond the realm of traditional music performance. Typically, when we think of jobs that people with a music degree can get, we think of these two:

• Performer:?Graduates can pursue careers as professional musicians, whether as solo performers, members of ensembles, or orchestral musicians. They may specialize in areas such as classical music, jazz, pop, rock, or world music.
• Music Teacher:?Many music degree holders become music teachers, instructing students of all ages and skill levels. They can work in schools, music academies, community centers, or offer private lessons.

Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with these jobs. I have the utmost respect for teachers (give them ALL raises) and performers who are inspiring the next generation of artists and musicians. If those jobs work for you, that’s great! But, did you know that there are SO MANY MORE jobs out there that require a music degree? Here are some other examples (not an exhaustive list):

• Music Therapist: Music therapists utilize music as a therapeutic tool to help individuals with physical, emotional, cognitive, or developmental challenges. They work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, or mental health facilities. This is a growing and much-needed field today.
• Composer/Arranger:?Those with a talent for composition can create original music for various purposes, including film, television, video games, commercials, or concert performances. They may also work as arrangers, adapting existing music for different ensembles or genres.
• Music Producer:?Music producers oversee the recording, mixing, and mastering processes of musical projects. They work closely with artists, shaping the sound and ensuring the overall quality of the recordings.
• Music Journalist/Critic:?Graduates with strong writing skills can pursue careers in music journalism, writing reviews, articles, or features for print and online publications. They may also conduct interviews and cover music-related events.
• Arts Administrator:?Many music degree holders find employment in arts organizations, such as orchestras, opera houses, festivals, or concert venues. They handle administrative tasks, event planning, fundraising, marketing, and artist management. They can also run all of the arts and cultural institutions for an entire city, holding significant leadership roles.
• Music Librarian:?Music libraries require specialists who can manage and catalog extensive collections of sheet music, recordings, and related materials, either for an actual library or for professional orchestras, bands, and choirs. Music librarians assist researchers, musicians, and music educators in finding resources.?(Yours truly was a music librarian for a few years!)
• Sound Engineer/Technician:?Those interested in the technical aspects of music production can pursue careers as sound engineers or technicians. They work in recording studios, live venues, or broadcasting companies, operating sound equipment and ensuring optimal sound quality.
• Music Industry Professional:?Graduates can work in various roles within the music industry, such as talent agent, artist manager, concert promoter, music publisher, or record label representative. These positions involve managing contracts, promoting artists, organizing events, or overseeing business operations.
• Ethnomusicologist:?These are music researchers! They study music in its social and cultural contexts. It’s a highly interdisciplinary field, where they have training in music, cultural anthropology, folklore, performance studies, dance, area studies, cultural studies, gender studies, race or ethnic studies, or other fields in the humanities and social sciences. Ethnomusicologists often work with museums, archives, arts-presenting organizations, primary and secondary schools, media companies, and other institutions that promote the appreciation and understanding of the world’s musics. (See the?Society for Ethnomusicology? to learn more.)

It's worth noting that in addition to a music degree, practical experience, networking, and developing a diverse skill set can significantly enhance job prospects in the music industry. For more articles on careers in the arts, I highly recommend checking out?MajoringInMusic.com’s Career Development ?website.

Oftentimes, musicians will be doing maybe two or three of these jobs at the same time. Again, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In the 21st century, we have to redefine what “success” means for a musician, and musicians must think like entrepreneurs to make their mark in this very competitive field.

A quote from David Cutler 's book,?The Savvy Musician, that sums this up nicely:

“It’s easy to buy into the myth that there are absolute determinants of success. We convince ourselves that a clarinet prodigy who winds up a general music teacher or stockbroker is an embarrassment, and that winning that special competition, getting that special job, or making that special connection would put a stamp of approval on our lives. Many musicians worry obsessively about how they will be judged, constantly comparing personal accomplishments with that of their peers and superstars of the industry.

In truth, many variables contribute to our level of success, as both artist and human being. Savvy musicians understand that finding a lifestyle that works is much more important than fulfilling traditional benchmarks of accomplishment. The ideal solution for one person might be the worst possible scenario for someone else. So stop worrying about how the world views you and which accolades will be boast-worthy at your 25-year reunion. Instead, discover a path that complements your dreams, skills, and goals. In other words…think like an entrepreneur.”

(I highly recommend this book to any young musician who is wondering how they’re going to make it as a musician. It is thoughtful, inspiring, and gives the reader a clear roadmap to finding out how they can create their own musical lives. You can buy it on?Amazon !)

Some of the best advice ever given to me was to ask a ton of questions of my music teachers, role models, and mentors about their own journeys. I have not once seen a straight-line career path (i.e. graduating from college and winning that high-paying orchestra job that they’ll be in for the rest of their lives). Most of my mentors have zig-ziggy career paths, where unexpected opportunities and setbacks helped them to grow, reassess, and find their own unique path forward.

Why is the straight-line path more valued than a zig-zaggy one? And why do we let others define what success is for us?

Fortunately, many music schools are recognizing the vast variety of career paths available to musicians. Many are now offering majors like music business or entrepreneurial musicianship, music production, and arts administration (check out?Berklee College of Music ’s majors in their B.M. degree program). Other schools that have strong music programs nestled within liberal arts colleges encourage students to explore other disciplines alongside music to find the sometimes unseen connections between the two (my alma mater,?Lawrence University Conservatory of Music , just developed and launched a new Bachelor of Musical Arts degree to enhance that principle). More schools are offering internships in local arts organizations or provide hands-on opportunities to practice some of these non-performance skills.

In short, I’m excited to see where the world of music takes our students in the future. By being versatile, skilled in many areas, excellent musicians, and open-minded, music can be an extremely viable career option for many while also providing a meaningful and fulfilling existence. And, who knows, maybe in ten years, there will be music jobs out there that don’t exist today! We just have to be ready to recognize and jump on those opportunities when they come our way.

#music #musicjobs #entrepreneurship #musicmajor #lifearts #advocacymusic #businessarts #administration

Kimberly Selchan, Resilient One and Tutor Doctor Owner

My mission: To help today's youth become tomorrow's successful adults

If you are looking to help your child or teen discover and pursue their career passion, or you are a provider of these services, please contact me. We can stand together in the community to support the next generation of adults!