College of Fine Arts & Communication

School of Music

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School of Music
Texas State University-San Marcos
601 University Dr.
San Marcos, Texas 78666
Office: 512-245-2651
Fax: 512-245-8181
music@TxState.edu

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Texas State > College of Fine Arts & Communication > School of Music > Resources > Career Development > Careers in Music

Careers in Music


Areas	Employers	Strategies
EDUCATION
Teaching	Daycare centers	Acquire teaching certificate for public school
	Elementary and secondary schools	Gain experience working with children through volunteer or part-time work experiences.

	Colleges and universities	Graduate degree required. Specialize in an area such as music, music theory, composition, music history, etc.
	Conservatories	Performance skill on one instrument or voice required.

Private Lessons	Studios
	Self-employed	Develop business relationships with schools and/or music stores to increase client base.

PERFORMANCE
Instrumental	Armed Forces bands and orchestras	Develop musical talent and skill.
Vocal	Symphony orchestras	Ambition and showmanship important.
	Small ensembles	Join campus bands and choruses, church choirs and other performing acts.
	Rock or jazz group	Seek competitions, apprenticeship programs, and workshops to gain experience and recognition.
	Dance band	Opportunities are very limited. Most performers have other careers.
	Concert soloist
	Clubs and restaurants
	Church choirs
	Community choral groups
	Opera chorus or soloist
	Recording industry
	Radio, television, and motion picture industries

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

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 or related apprenticeship.

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

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

RADIO/TELEVISION
Music and Program Direction	Radio and television stations	Take classes in communications, broadcasting, or journalism.
On Air Performance		Work at on-campus radio station.
Promotion		Complete an internship at a television or radio station.
Voice Overs
Copyright/Clearance Administration
Music License Administration
Music Editing, Production, and Composing
Sound Mixing
Post Production
Research

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

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.