Musicians may play musical instruments, sing, write musical compositions, or conduct groups in instrumental or vocal performances. Musicians may perform alone or as part of a group, before live audiences or on radio, or in studios for recording, TV, or movie productions.
Instrumental musicians play a musical instrument in an orchestra, band, rock group, or jazz combo. Musicians may play any of a wide variety of string, brass, woodwind, or percussion instruments. For example, they may play the violin, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, clarinet, flute, organ, one of the rhythm instruments the piano, string bass, drums, and guitar or one of the many electronic synthesizers.
Singers interpret music using their knowledge of voice production, melody, and harmony. They sing character parts or perform in their own individual styles. Singers are often classified according to their voice range soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, or bass or by the type of music they sing, such as opera, rock, reggae, folk, or country and western.
Composers create original music such as symphonies, operas, sonatas, or popular songs or raps. They transcribe ideas into musical notation using harmony, rhythm, melody, and tonal structure. Many songwriters now compose and edit music using computers. Some even have a musical keyboard linked to a computer which compiles the digital information into musical notation while they play. Also, they may program the composition in musical notation into the computer, which can play back the piece.
Orchestra conductors lead orchestras and bands. They audition and select musicians, choose the music to be performed, and direct rehearsals and performances. They apply conducting techniques to achieve desired musical effects.
Choral directors conduct choirs and glee clubs. They audition and select singers and direct them at rehearsals and performances to achieve harmony, rhythm, tempo, shading, and other desired musical effects.
All musicians spend a considerable amount of time practicing. Those who play current music listen to recordings and copy the sound, since sheet music may not be available.
Musicians may have to travel frequently to perform.
Musicians often perform at night and on weekends and spend considerable time in practice and rehearsal. Performances frequently require travel. Because many musicians find only part-time work or experience unemployment between engagements, they often supplement their income with other types of jobs. In fact, many decide they can not support themselves as musicians and take permanent, full-time jobs in other occupations, while working only part time as musicians.
An average of about 236,000 musicians held jobs in 1992. Many were between engagements, so that the total number of people employed as musicians during the course of the year might have been greater. Over half of the musicians employed in 1992 worked part time; over one-third were self-employed.
Many work in cities in which entertainment and recording activities are concentrated, such as New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville. Classical musicians may perform with professional orchestras or in small chamber music groups like quartets or trios. Musicians may work in opera, musical comedy, and ballet productions. Many are organists who play in churches and synagogues 6 out of 10 musicians who are paid a wage or salary work in religious organizations. Musicians also perform in clubs and restaurants, and for weddings and other events. Well-known musicians and groups give their own concerts, appear on live radio and television, make recordings and music videos, or go on concert tours. The Armed Forces, too, offer careers in their bands and smaller musical groups.
Many people who become professional musicians begin studying an instrument at an early age. They may gain valuable experience playing in a school or community band or orchestra, or in a combo with a group of friends. Singers usually start training when their voices mature. Participation in school musicals or in a choir often provides good early training. Musicians need extensive and prolonged training to acquire the necessary skill, knowledge, and ability to interpret music. This training may be obtained through private study with an accomplished musician, in a college or university music program, in a music conservatory, or through practice with a group. For study in an institution, an audition frequently is necessary. Formal courses include musical theory, music interpretation, composition, conducting, and instrumental and voice instruction. Composers, conductors, and arrangers need advanced training in these subjects as well.
Many colleges, universities, and music conservatories grant bachelor's or higher degrees in music. Many also grant degrees in music education to qualify graduates for a State certificate to teach music in an elementary or secondary school.
Those who perform popular music must have an understanding of and feeling for the style of music that interests them, but classical training can expand their employment opportunities, as well as their musical abilities. Although voice training is an asset for singers of popular music, many with untrained voices have successful careers. As a rule, musicians take lessons with private teachers when young, and seize every opportunity to make amateur or professional appearances.
Young persons who are considering careers in music should have musical talent, versatility, creative ability, and poise and stage presence to face large audiences. Since quality performance requires constant study and practice, self-discipline is vital. Moreover, musicians who play concert and nightclub engagements must have physical stamina because frequent travel and night performances are required. They must also be prepared to face the anxiety of intermittent employment and rejections when auditioning for work.
Advancement for musicians generally means becoming better known and performing for greater earnings with better known bands and orchestras. Many musicians rely on agents or managers to find them performing engagements, negotiate contracts, and plan their careers.
Employment of musicians is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. Most job openings will arise from the need to replace the many musicians who leave the field each year because they are unable to make a living solely as musicians. Competition for musician jobs is tough, and talent is no guarantee of success. However, being able to play several instruments and types of music enhances the opportunity to find employment.
Although the total number of musician jobs is expected to increase, employment in restaurants and bars is expected to decline. The fastest growing segment of restaurants is the moderately priced, family dining restaurants, which seldom provide live entertainment to their customers. Bars, which regularly employ musicians, are expected to grow more slowly than eating establishments because consumption of alcoholic beverages outside of the home is expected to continue to decline.
Earnings often depend on a performer's professional reputation as well as on geographic location and on the number of hours worked.
According to the American Federation of Musicians, minimum salaries in major orchestras ranged from about $1,000 to $1,400 per week during the 1993-94 performing season. The season of these top orchestras ranged from 48 to 52 weeks, with most being 52 weeks. In regional orchestras, the minimum salaries were between $400 and $700 per week, and the seasons lasted 25 to 38 weeks, with an average of 30 weeks. Community orchestras, however, had more limited levels of funding and offered salaries that were much lower for seasons of shorter duration.
In 1993, musicians employed in motion picture or television recording and those employed by recording companies were paid a minimum of about $226 and $249, respectively, for a 3-hour session.
Although a few opera soloists and popular singers earned thousands of dollars per performance, the minimum daily wage rate for a principal singer on network or syndicated television was $485 in 1993.
Musicians employed by some symphony orchestras work under master wage agreements, which guarantee a season's work up to 52 weeks. Many other musicians may face relatively long periods of unemployment between jobs. Even when employed, however, many work part time. Thus, their earnings generally are lower than those in many other occupations. Moreover, since they may not work steadily for one employer, some performers cannot qualify for unemployment compensation, and few have either sick leave or vacations with pay. For these reasons, many musicians give private lessons or take jobs unrelated to music to supplement their earnings as performers.
Many musicians belong to a local of the American Federation of Musicians. Professional singers usually belong to a branch of the Associated Actors and Artists of America.
There are many music-related occupations. These include librettists, songwriters, arrangers, and music therapists. A large number of music teachers work in elementary and secondary schools, music conservatories, and colleges and universities, or are self-employed. Many who teach music also perform.
Technical knowledge of musical instruments is required by instrument repairers, tuners, and copyists. In addition, there are a number of occupations in the business side of music such as booking agents, concert managers, music publishers, and music store owners and managers, as well as salespersons of records, sheet music, and musical instruments. Others whose work involves music include disc jockeys, music critics, sound and audio technicians, music librarians, and radio and TV announcers.
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Reprinted with Permission of U. S. Department of Labor