If music is your passion, then there's nothing more rewarding than finding a career that pays you to perform the talents (artistic or administrative) that you would gladly do for free. Working in the Music Industry offers this potential. But . . . this business offers keen competition resulting in the necessity for job candidates to prepare themselves for a variety of career areas within this industry.

Given that there is this variety in jobs, it is important to remember that your technical ability (or lack of) is only one aspect of your potential qualifications. Your interest and appreciation of music is enough to get you started on the right track for a music career.

Music careers can be divided into special areas. The following is a listing of career fields with brief descriptions: (taken from Careers in Music 1980).

CAREERS IN PERFORMING ARTS

POPULAR MUSIC: musicians, working in night clubs, theatres, television/radio

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS: musicians, conductors, administrators and directors, fund raisers, promotional/publicity managers

ARMED FORCES: Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Army bands

COMPOSING & ARRANGING: popular songwriting, symphonic music and school band composition

CAREERS IN EDUCATION

MUSIC EDUCATION: public school teachers (requires certification to teach music, vocal, and instrumental), administrative and supervisory positions

BAND DIRECTING: college, high school/junior high

PRIVATE TEACHING: private and group lessons

CAREERS IN BUSINESS

RETAILING: music store management, in-store teaching, instrument sales, service and repair, operating your own business

MANUFACTURING: instrument/equipment production, new instrument development, sales, marketing, service and clerical positions

WHOLESALING: supply large and small retailers with instruments, sheet music, and accessories. Serve as liaison between manufacturers and retailers.

MUSIC PUBLISHING: music selection, editing, production and promotion

PIANO TUNING: self-employment and retail store affiliation

CAREERS IN THE RECORDING INDUSTRY

RECORD PRODUCTION: producer, arranger, copyist, union contractor, musician leader, studio performer, engineer/mixer

BUSINESS JOBS: sales, merchandising, promotion, graphics, manufacturing, general management, disc jockeys, music attorneys

MUSIC ORIENTED FIELDS

CHURCH MUSIC: music director, choir director, church organist, youth director, music education director, director of creative arts

MUSIC THERAPY: health care and counseling

MUSIC  CRITICISM: journalism reviews

COMMUNICATIONS: publicists, public relations, advertising, copywriters, music reporters, print and electronic media, educational material writers

MUSIC LIBRARIES: public and special libraries, orchestras, radios and television stations. Librarian positions require a masters degree.

AVAILABLE RESOURCES LOCATED IN CAREER SERVICES

ART SEARCH: The National Employment Service Bulletin for the Performing Arts. Bi-monthly subscription of current national job openings. Positions include administrative, artistic, production and education.

DIRECTORY FOR THE ARTS: Employer organizations and addresses as well as a brief description of their purpose or service.

THE PERFORMING ARTIST'S HANDBOOK: Advice on job hunting, resumes and portfolios, interviewing, audio and video demo tapes, networking and service organizations.

CAREERS IN MUSIC: Identifies a variety of music-related career fields, offers addresses of professional associations, periodicals, and colleges.

OPPORTUNITIES IN MUSIC CAREERS: Gives job descriptions, addresses of organizations and employers.

DIRECTORIES FOR EMPLOYER INFORMATION INCLUDE SOME OF THE FOLLOWING:

Career Opportunities in Art Museums, Zoos & Other Interesting Places

Publishers, Distributors and Wholesalers of the United States

Dun's Employment Opportunities Directory - Organized by Industry type i.e. Motion Pictures, etc.

Standard & Poor's

New York State Job Bank

Audio Visual Market Place

Literary Market Place

All-in-One Directory (Media)

Burrelle's New York State Media Directory

ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

What Alumni Think You Should Know!

Learn how to Network. Informational interviews with friends, relatives, and prospective employers will provide you with many job leads. Talk to anyone who will listen; everyone can give you valuable advice.

Employers don't hire majors- they hire people-so make the most of your talents and develop all facets of your personality.

Take a variety of courses (aside from music) in college or continuing education to expand your talents and creativity.

Read everything you can get your hands on. The more information you have on the employers, the better your chances of finding a job that uses your interests and abilities.

Stay active with community groups and continue to work on your own projects.

Internships! Volunteer Work! These offer valuable experiences out in the "real world". Plus, they give you the opportunity to use your education as well as give you contacts that you'll use forever. Not to mention . . . it's great "resume material".

It's tough out there, but you can do it if you try. Don't postpone career choices until after graduation. There are lots of people out there who want to help you and even though your first job may not be glamorous, these experiences can shape your life. Don't give up!

ADVICE FROM THE PERFORMING ARTIST's HANDBOOK

Read the Sunday newspaper's music listings and investigate what organizations and community groups seem to offer the most concerts. Call them to inquire about assistance.

Contact your state and regional arts councils to see how the may assist you. What do they have going on?

Explore corporations, art galleries, shopping centers, etc. that would like to sponsor you for a concert. Make inquiries to the Public Relations department.

Ask hotel and restaurant managers about night club acts or even Sunday brunch engagements.

Network with caterers to arrange party performances.

Contact museums to investigate their programs and concert series.

Apply to the entertainment offices of major shipping lines (check the Sunday Travel Section of a major newspaper to secure names and addresses).

Polish your audio/visual Demo cassettes.

Remember, music careers only require an appreciation for Music - Good Luck!