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What Can I Do with a Major in...Music?
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| AREAS | EMPLOYERS | STRATEGIES |
| EDUCATION Teaching
Private Lessons
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Daycare centers Elementary and secondary schools Colleges and universities |
Acquire
teaching certificate for public school
teaching. Gain experience working with children through volunteer or part-time work experiences. Graduate degree required. Specialize in an area such as music, music theory, composition, music history, etc. Performance skill on one instrument or voice required. Develop business relationships with schools and/or music stores to increase client base. |
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PERFORMANCE Instrumental Vocal
|
Armed
Forces bands and orchestras Symphony orchestras Small ensembles Rock or jazz group Dance band Concert soloist Clubs and restaurants Church choirs Community choral groups Opera chorus or soloist Recording industry Radio, television, and motion picture industries |
Develop
musical talent and skill. Ambition and showmanship important. Join campus bands and choruses, church choirs and other performing acts. Seek competitions, apprenticeship programs, and workshops to gain experience and recognition. Opportunities are very limited. Most performers have other careers.
|
| COMPOSING/ARRANGING Composing Arranging |
Self-employed Record companies Publishers Muzak Motion picture and television industries Production companies |
Knowledge
of composition, harmony, arranging and theory important. Learn how to use electronic instruments and synthesizers. Develop computer and desktop publishing expertise. Skill on one or more instruments and voice are necessary. Seek grants and awards through foundations. Very few musicians earn living through composing. |
| CONDUCTING | Choirs Choral groups Symphonies Opera |
Develop
superior musicianship and leadership. Acquire extensive experience in performing groups. Opportunities extremely limited. Gain acceptance into a conductor-training program or related apprenticeship. |
| MUSIC THERAPY | Hospitals:
general and psychiatric Special education facilities Mental health centers Nursing homes Correctional facilities Private practice |
Take
courses in psychology, social work, or education. Earn a master's degree in music therapy and seek certification. Volunteer in a rehabilitation setting. Must demonstrate a genuine interest in helping people. |
| MUSIC LIBRARIES | Colleges
and universities Conservatories Public libraries Radio and television stations |
Develop
computer and research skills. Gain thorough knowledge of music and musicology. Earn master's degree in library/information science. |
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RECORDING
INDUSTRY Publishing and Editing Producing Recording Engineering Manufacturing Talent Acquisition Promotion/Media Relations Publicity Administration Marketing and Sales Product Management |
Production
recording studios (most located in New York City, Los Angeles, and Nashville)
|
Complete
an internship at a record company. Take business courses to work in management or administration. Journalism, public relations, and communication classes helpful for work in areas of promotion. Gain sales experience for marketing. Must interact well with people and develop persuasion tools. Knowledge of electronics, audio engineering, and recording knowledge required for production. Work or volunteer at a campus or local radio station. Join organizations involved with bringing events and entertainment to campus. Work at a retail record store to learn about the industry. |
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RADIO/TELEVISION Music and Program Direction On Air Performance Promotion Voice Overs Copyright/Clearance Administration Music License Administration Music Editing, Production, and Composing Sound Mixing Post Production Research |
Radio and television stations | Take
classes in communications, broadcasting, or journalism. Work at on-campus radio station. Complete an internship at a television or radio station. |
|
MISCELLANEOUS Sales Music Journalism Law |
Music
shops Record stores Instrument manufacturers Music-related publications Magazines and newspapers Entertainment law firms |
Get
sales experience. Work in a retail music outlet. Take courses in journalism and English. Write articles for campus newspaper. Earn law degree. |
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GENERAL
INFORMATION • Finding positions in the music industry requires a combination of talent, training, connections and some luck. Perserverence is required! • Develop competencies in business management, computers, marketing, or other areas to broaden range of employment possibilities. • Develop a variety of skills. Become "multitalented." • Confidence, personality, a positive attitude, and a love of music are important to success. • Need basic tools of self-promotion. • Some jobs may require you to join unions or guilds. |
•
Majoring in music provides students with a
sense of aesthetics and an understanding of human
expression valuable to many employers. • Gain experience working for a music publisher or other businesses in the entertainment industry. |
Above Information Prepared by the Career Planning
staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
(1998)
UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer
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This page last updated on
October 9, 2003
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