Musician
A musician is an instrumentalist, composer or singer who creates and performs music. This can be recorded in a studio or performed live, either as a soloist or in a group of musicians. It may involve working as a salaried member of a group or could be in the form of freelance work for several organisations.
Musicians usually specialise in a particular type of music although there can be the opportunity to move between genres. The job requires high levels of skill, expertise and dedication especially since competition to work in this field is high. Most musicians do their job as they have a passion for music and a strong desire to perform.
Many of a musician's activities will be similar regardless of the specific field or genre they work in. However, there will be variations between someone who is a full-time member of an orchestra and someone who works freelance in another field such as jazz or rock.
General tasks for all musicians can include:
Many musicians also work in a related area such as the arts, or teach in order to support their career as a performer.
Many professional musicians have a degree or other qualification in music. However, experience and musicianship count for more in many cases.
A degree in music will give you the opportunity to develop your performance skills while at college, university or conservatoire, although some university music degree courses may concentrate more on the academic side of music than the practical playing side. Music courses are also useful for building a network of contacts which will be beneficial to you both during and after study. Some courses will also include modules on music technology and business. There are a wide range of music courses in the UK which enable you to study music in general or focus on a specific genre.
The Conservatoires UK Admissions Service (CUKAS) operates a separate application system for practical-based music courses at UK conservatoires. Other qualifications, such as those awarded by The Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and Trinity Guildhall (see Trinity College London for details) are also considered.
The arts councils and Musicians Benevolent Fund can provide funding for further study.
Networking and personal references/recommendations are extremely important and very common ways of obtaining work in the music field. Vacancies are often filled through word of mouth rather than applications to an advert. Seek advice from musicians who are already working in your area and ask for introductions. Learning from more experienced musicians is invaluable, and you may be able to draw on their established network of contacts.
Speculative approaches can reap benefits in certain areas of work, so it is worthwhile making yourself known to likely orchestras, choral societies, bands and individuals. Self-promotion is a key skill for musicians to have.
Take any opportunity that arises to gain experience; you will build your confidence and professional network and extend your repertoire. Examples of where to gain this experience include:
All orchestras and opera houses hold auditions but each organisation will work in a different way. Some orchestras hold auditions every year while others hold them when a member leaves. Find out when auditions are by going to the organisation’s website or by calling and requesting the information.
Entry for orchestras and opera houses is through an audition followed commonly by a trial period where the musician is paid on a sessional basis for several concerts. This is not the same as a probationary period and it cannot be assumed that a permanent contract will necessarily follow. Several musicians may be on trial at any one time and trial periods can last for any length of time. Entry to full-time posts in orchestras is very competitive and it is likely to be necessary, at least initially, to build a musical career incorporating performance work in a number of different settings and groups, teaching and arranging music.
Musicians who wish to work freelance (regardless of genre) should possess the following:
Agencies can be useful for gaining work, although for many musicians they are not necessary
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Continuous improvement is a fundamental part of the job and of the art of the performer. Each musician is responsible for their own work and performance.
Many musicians continue to pay for their own lessons to further develop their musical skills. In an opera company, additional training for singers can include stage-craft and movement classes and learning other specialised skills.
The Royal College of Organists offers well-respected qualifications - the Associateship and Fellowship.
The Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and Trinity College of Music provide courses, seminars and workshops for instrumental and singing teachers at all stages in their career. Music and Media Academy also offers teaching diplomas in collaboration with the Musicians' Union (MU) . Soundsense (which incorporates the National Music and Disability Information Service) can provide information and advice on training for community music work.
As most musicians are self-employed, business and financial management courses may prove useful.
For a very small minority of musicians there is the chance to be very successful, world renowned and earn a lot of money. Even those who do reach the pinnacle of their profession cannot expect to stay there and a change in fortune can result in terrible disappointment.
Most musicians aspire to being able to work as a musician full time and to have regular work. Musicians may also strive to play with individuals or groups whom they admire either in their own field or across genres.
An orchestral player would normally enter the orchestra at the rank-and-file level and would then hope to move through the numbered posts to sub-principal, principal and section principal over a number of years. Principals and section leaders of an orchestra may have additional duties such as organising a section of the orchestra (if appropriate), editing the music if necessary and discussing options with conductors. In some cases a principal may move to the role of conductor. There is not a great deal of movement within the orchestral profession, so bottlenecks do occur and progression can be slow. Movement to another orchestra may be the only way to advance in this situation.
Similarly, opera singers can join a company as part of the chorus and move up to being one of the popular solo performers.
Solo performers may start their career within an orchestra or amateur choir and then progress to become a soloist, but very often they start their career from day one as a solo performer with a mixture of freelance solo work and teaching. As a performer’s reputation builds, they will receive more work. Only truly exceptional performers would expect to achieve a career as a soloist.
The Musicians' Union (MU) and Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) provide career support to musicians at all stages of their career.
A significant proportion of professional musicians are self-employed. This is largely the case for all musicians with the notable exception of some classical musicians.
Orchestral musicians either work on a freelance basis or are full-time members of a specific orchestra. There is a great variety of orchestras and ensembles in the UK and they differ in terms of size, style, location and repertoire. For orchestral players, employers include ballet, symphony, opera and chamber orchestras, some of which will be large enough to employ musicians on full-time contracts. The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) lists UK orchestras and ensembles and notes how musicians are employed (e.g. permanent, full-time or by contract) as well as where the orchestra/ensemble is based.
There is also occasional work offered by independent fixers for choral society performances, recording sessions and outdoor performances. Freelance musicians or permanent staff can take on this ad hoc work.
The most common employers of classical singers are opera companies, as there are very few professional choirs. However, due to the small number of opera companies in the UK opportunities can be limited. This can lead to other employment options as many of the larger choral societies employ opera singers for solo and oratorio work.
Organists are attached to a specific cathedral or church(s) and their full-time post may also include the role of choirmaster and director of music. The majority of organists will work part-time and combine their role with teaching at an associated school or conducting a local choral society, for example.
The Corps of Army Music is currently the UK's largest employer of professional instrumentalists (in a wide range of instruments) and employs over 800 musicians.
Other employers of musicians include holiday camps, cruise ships and theatre companies (for work in musicals, for example).
One of the most common ways to learn of vacancies is word of mouth and networking. A good list of contacts is vital for gaining new opportunities.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
Tweet