Careers in the Field of Music
Talented young musicians are often told to get a degree in
some other field besides music, so that they can get a job. Simply
not true! There are many well-paying professional jobs for musicians
who have the proper training and skills. Our thanks to Dennis
Mauricio, Director of the Hilltop High School Music Technology
program in Chula Vista, California for letting us post and update
this list of occupations in the field of music.
Click on the category to see music related
jobs in that field. Broadcasting.
Church Music. Computer
Technology. Conducting. Instrument
Repair and Design. Music Business and
Management. Music Education. Music
Librarian. Music Publishing. Music Retailing and Wholesaling. Music
Therapy. Professional Musician: Band; Classical Music;
Commercial Music; Popular
Music Groups; Theater. Promotion
and Publicity. The Recording Industry.
Sound Design and Effects. Sound
and Recording Engineering. Touring and
Road Work. Writing.
Broadcasting -- Television and
Radio
Church Music
- Minister of Music
- Choir Director
- Church Organist
- Soloist, Singer
- Cantor
- Gospel Music (performance, recording)
- Return to Music Career Index
Computer Technology
- Music Software Designer
- Music Hardware Designer
- Multimedia Development -- Sound and Music
- Web Page Design -- Audio and Music Integration
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Conducting
- Symphony Orchestra Conductor/Music Director
- Community Orchestra or Band
- Music Director for Theater/Musicals
- Youth Symphony
- Choir Conductor
- Opera Company Music Director
- Ballet Company Music Director
- Music Director/Conductor for Television Shows or Films
- Music Director for Concert Artist
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Instrument Repair and Design
- Piano Tuner -- Technician
- Wind or String Instrument Repair
- Electronic Instrument Technician
- Facilities (Resident) Audio-Visual Technician
- Instrument Manufacturing
- Electronic Instrument Design and Research
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Music Business and Management
- Talent Agency Manager
- Booking Agent
- Business Manager
- Personal Manager
- Professional Manager (Song Plugger)
- Stage Manager
- Nightclub Manager
- Symphony Orchestra Manager
- Personnel Director for Symphony (or other professional arts
organization)
- Promotion Manager
- Musician's Union Agent
- Music License Administrator
- Copyright / Clearance Administrator
- Music Industry Lawyer -- Copyright, Contracts, Performing
Rights
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Music Education -- Private Sector, Elementary,
Secondary, College, and University Levels
- Private Voice or Instrument Instructor
- Classroom / General Music Instructor
- Band Director
- Choral Director
- Orchestra Director
- Applied Music Instructor
- Chamber Music Instructor
- Music Theory and Composition Instructor
- Music History and Literature Instructor
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology Instructor
- Music Education Instructor/Supervisor
- Music Technology Instructor
- Music Lab Instructor / Manager
- Music Therapy Instructor
- Music Business Instructor
- Music Administrator
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Music Librarian
- University or College Music Librarian
- Librarian for Performance Organization
- Broadcast Librarian
- Archives and Research
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Music Publishing
- Music Publisher
- Composer
- Arranger
- Music Editor
- Music Page Preparation
- Educational Director
- Marketing Manager
- Sales Representative
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Music Retailing and Wholesaling
- Music Store Salesperson
- Music Store Manager
- Consumer Audio / Record Store Salesperson
- Music Wholesale / Importing / Distribution
- Instrument Manufacturer Representative
- Music Products Representative
- Music Software Representative
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Music Therapy
- Hospitals
- Special Education
- Nursing Homes
- Corrective Institutions
- Consultant
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Professional Musician -- Band
- U. S. Armed Forces Band Member
- Professional or Community Band -- Principal Player
- Professional or Community Band -- Section Player
- Jazz Band (Big Band) -- Section Leader
- Jazz Band (Big Band) -- Section Player
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Professional Musician -- Classical
Music
Professional Musician -- Commercial
Music
- Recording Studio Session Contractor
- Recording Studio Session Musician / Vocalist
- Night Club Musician
- Resort and Theme Park Musician
- Cruise Ship Musician
- Casual Gig Musician -- Band Leader / Contractor
- Casual Gig Musician -- Sideman
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Professional Musician -- Popular Music
Groups
- Concert / Recording Artist
- Sideman for Concert / Recording Artist
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Professional Musician -- Theater
- Theater Orchestra -- Principal Player
- Theater Orchestra -- Section Player
- Accompanist
- Singer / Actor for Show -- Lead Role
- Singer / Actor for Show -- Chorus / Minor Role
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Promotion and Publicity
The Recording Industry
- Artist and Repertoire Coordinator
- Artist and Repertoire Administrator
- Staff Producer
- Independent Record Producer
- Talent Scout / Talent Acquisitions
- Advertising / Media Manager
- Regional Sales Manager
- Salesperson
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Sound Design and Effects
- Foley Artist
- Synthesizer and Sampler Programmer
- Sound Design for Film and Television
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Sound and Recording Engineering
- Recording Studio Engineer
- Recording Mastering Engineer
- Live Sound Engineer
- Radio / TV Audio Engineer
- Audio-Visual Technician
- Technical Director
- Studio Design Consultant
- Return to Music Career Index
Touring and Road Work
- Tour Coordinator
- Road Manager
- Sound Engineer
- Sound Technician Assistant (Roadie)
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Writing
- Editor / Writer for Music Related Magazine
- Music Journalist / Critic / Reviewer / Reporter
- Technical Book and Manuals
- Textbooks and Music Books
- Free-Lance Writing
- Lyricist
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