MUSIC …

                                       MUSIC
                          What can I do with this degree?
                  AREAS                   EMPLOYERS                                           STRATEGIES

EDUCATION                 Daycare centers                                    Acquire teaching certificate for public school
Teaching                  Elementary and secondary schools                      teaching.
                          Private schools                                    Gain experience working with children through
                          Recreation centers                                    volunteer or part-time work experiences.
                          Colleges and universities                          Graduate degree required to teach in higher education.
                          Conservatories                                        Specialize in an area such as music, music theory,
                                                                                composition, music history, etc.
                                                                             Performance skill on one instrument or voice
Private Lessons           Studios                                               required.
                          Self-employed                                      Develop business relationships with schools and/or
                                                                                 music stores to increase client base.

PERFORMANCE               Armed Forces bands and orchestras                  Develop musical talent and skill.
Instrumental              Symphony orchestras                                Obtain formal training to acquire necessary skills,
Vocal                     Small ensembles                                       knowledge, and ability to interpret music.
                          Rock or jazz groups                                Ambition and showmanship are important.
                          Dance bands                                        Join campus bands and choruses, church choirs, and
                          Concert soloist                                       other performing acts.
                          Clubs and restaurants                              Seek competitions, apprenticeship programs, and
                          Church choirs                                         workshops to gain experience and recognition.
                          Community choral groups                            Opportunities are very limited. Most performers
                          Opera chorus or soloist                               have other careers.
                          Musical theaters                                   Auditions are generally required.
                          Ballet productions
                          Recording industry
                          Radio, television, and motion picture industries

COMPOSING/ARRANGING
                          Self-employed                                      Knowledge of composition, harmony, arranging, and
Composing
                          Record companies                                      theory are important.
Arranging
                          Publishers                                         Learn how to use electronic instruments and
                          Muzak                                                 synthesizers.
                          Motion picture and television industries           Develop computer and desktop publishing expertise.
                          Production companies                               Skill on one or more instruments and voice are
                                                                                necessary.
                                                                             Seek grants and awards through foundations.
                                                                             Very few musicians earn living through composing.
(Music, Page 2)

                  AREAS                    EMPLOYERS                                           STRATEGIES

CONDUCTING
                            Choirs                                              Develop superior musicianship and leadership.
                            Choral groups                                       Acquire extensive experience in performing groups.
                            Symphonies                                          Opportunities extremely limited.
                            Opera                                               Gain acceptance into a conductor-training program
                            Armed Forces bands and orchestras                     or related apprenticeship.


MUSIC THERAPY               Hospitals: general and psychiatric                  Take courses in psychology, social work, or
                            Special education facilities                           education.
                            Mental health centers                               Earn a master's degree in music therapy and seek
                            Nursing homes                                          certification.
                            Correctional facilities                             Volunteer in a rehabilitation setting.
                            Private practice                                    Must demonstrate a genuine interest in helping
                            Outpatient clinics                                     people.

MUSIC LIBRARIES
                            Colleges and universities                           Develop computer and research skills.
                            Conservatories                                      Gain thorough knowledge of music and musicology.
                            Public libraries                                    Earn master's degree in library/information science.
                            Radio and television stations

RECORDING INDUSTRY
Publishing and Editing      Production recording studios (most located in New   Complete an internship at a record company.
Producing                      York City, Los Angeles, and Nashville)           Take business courses to work in management or
Recording
                                                                                   administration.
Engineering
                                                                                Journalism, public relations, and communication
Manufacturing
                                                                                   classes helpful for work in areas of promotion.
Talent Acquisition
                                                                                Gain sales experience for marketing. Must interact
Promotion/Media Relations
                                                                                   well with people and develop persuasion tools.
Publicity
                                                                                Knowledge of electronics, audio engineering, and
Administration
                                                                                   recording knowledge required for production.
Marketing and Sales
                                                                                Work or volunteer at a campus or local radio
Product Management
                                                                                   station.
                                                                                Join organizations involved with bringing events
                                                                                   and entertainment to campus.
                                                                                Work at a retail record store to learn about the
                                                                                   industry.
(Music, Page 3)

                    AREAS                                                     EMPLOYERS                                                         STRATEGIES

COMMUNICATIONS
Music and Program Direction                                   Radio and television stations                                     Take classes in communications, broadcasting, or
On Air Performance                                            Virtual reality sound environments                                   journalism.
Promotion                                                         e.g. Internet sites, software creators                        Work at on-campus radio station.
Voice Overs                                                                                                                     Complete an internship at a television or radio
Copyright/Clearance Administration                                                                                                 station.
Music License Administration                                                                                                    Develop computer-related skills such as software
Music Editing, Production, and Composing                                                                                           development and programming.
Sound Mixing
Post Production
Research

MISCELLANEOUS
Sales                                                         Music shops                                                           Get sales experience. Work in a retail music
                                                              Record stores                                                             outlet.
Music Journalism                                              Instrument manufacturers                                              Take courses in journalism and English.
                                                              Music-related publications                                            Write articles for campus newspaper.
Law                                                           Magazines and newspapers                                              Earn law degree.
                                                              Entertainment law firms


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.
· Perfomers often travel frequently and must be flexible regarding their work schedules.
· Gain experience working for a music publisher or other businesses in the entertainment industry.
· Majoring in music provides students with a sense of aesthetics and an understanding of human expression valuable to many employers.




                              Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.    (1998, Revised 2003)
                                                         UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer