Music Career Guide

GENERAL SUPPORT

Freelancers Union: https://www.freelancersunion.org/

HIRING TRENDS, CAREER OUTLOOK and EXPLORATION, ETC.

O*NET-Online: http://www.onetonline.org (U.S. Department of Labor)

Occupational Outlook Handbook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

My Future.com: http://www.myfuture.com (U.S. Department of Defense)

TAX RESOURCES

Musician Tax Guide (American Federation of Musicians): https://www.neworleansmusicians.org/more-resources-for-musicians/tax-guide/

Louisiana Tech Career Center

https://www.latech.edu/career-center/

The Louisiana Tech Career Center is the central resource for career and professional development at Louisiana Tech University. Committed to students and alumni we work to develop career competencies and foster networking opportunities to create a meaningful and purposeful life.

We welcome diversity of race, culture, spirituality, gender, identity, ability, and orientation.

We seek to provide a safe and inclusive space for all.

We reject intolerance and any form of degradation, hurt, and abuse.

We commit in words and actions, to uphold the rights of all to feel safe, valued, and respected.

Working collaboratively with internal and external partners and consistent with the mission of the university, the Career Center provides centralized and comprehensive education and support to students and graduates, primarily in the cultivation and enhancement of skills to explore major and career options, master internship/job search techniques and strategies, and connect with industry partners through experiential and professional opportunities.

Their office is located in 337 Keeny Hall. To speak to someone either stop by or call 318.257.4336. You may also email careercenter@latech.edu with your general questions.

Résumés/CVs:

GENERAL - CONTENT

Music Resume Builder (Eastman School of Music - Institute for Music Leadership)

The Musician's Resume Handbook (Eastman Institute for Musical Leadership)

The Resume Handbook (College of Fine Arts, University of Texas at Austin)

"What it Means to 'Tailor Your Resume'" by Lily Zhang: https://www.themuse.com/advice/what-it-really-means-to-tailor-your-resume

My Perfect Resume (online resume builder); https://www.myperfectresume.com/

GENERAL - FORMATTING

CV and Resume Formatting Tips (Eastman Institute for Music Leadership)

Resume 101 (New England Conservatory)

PERFORMANCE & COMPOSITION

Music Performance Resume Handbook (Eastman Institute for Music Leadership)

Performance Resume Samples (Eastman Institute for Music Leadership)

MUSIC EDUCATION

PK-12 Music Teacher's Resume Handbook (Eastman Institute for Music Leadership)

MUSIC INDUSTRY

Tips for Writing Performance and Composition Resumes (New England Conservatory)

Tips for Writing Teaching Resumes (New England Conservatory)

Tips for Writing Arts Admin Resumes (New England Conservatory)

Cover Letters:

The Musician's Cover Letter Handbook (Eastman Institute for Music Leadership)

Tips for Writing Cover Letters (New England Conservatory)

Biographical Sketches:

"Bios that Inspire" by Gerald Klickstein: https://www.musiciansway.com/blog/2012/08/bios-that-inspire/

"Why do you need a bio?" by Dan Kimpel: https://www.dankimpel.com/biowriting.html

"Getting to Know You (writing a good bio)" by Edna Landau: http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=1350

Personal Websites & Social Media:

Web Presence for Musicians (New England Conservatory)

"How My Personal Website Helped Me Land My Dream Job" by Erin Greenawald: https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-my-personal-website-helped-me-land-my-dream-job

"10 Principles of Great Musician Website Design" by Melanie Kealey: https://bandzoogle.com/blog/10-principles-of-great-music-web-design

Publicity and Promotion:

Publicity for Musicians (New England Conservatory)

Promo Kits (New England Conservatory)

Graduate School Application Materials

Musician's Personal Statement Tip Sheet (Eastman Institute for Music Leadership)

Write Application Materials (Oberlin Conservatory)

Atlantic Records Internship Program: https://www.atlanticrecords.com/internships

Big Internships (music listings): https://www.biginternships.com/tag/music/

Chegg Internships: https://www.internships.com - Music Listings: https://www.internships.com/music

Country Music Hall of Fame Internships: https://countrymusichalloffame.org/internships/

Entertainmentcareers.net: https://www.entertainmentcareers.net/

Internships Abroad (music listings): https://www.goabroad.com/intern-abroad/search/music/internships-abroad-1

Internships in Video Game Music/Audio

Musical Organizations with Internships (listing by Eastman School of Music - Institute for Music Leadership): https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/careers/internships/

Performing Arts Abroad: https://www.performingartsabroad.com/discipline/music/

Showbizjobs.com Entertainment Industry Internships: https://www.showbizjobs.com/internships

Sony Music: https://www.sonymusic.com/careers/

Universal Music Group: https://www.universalmusic.com/careers/

Young Artist Program Tracker: http://www.yaptracker.com

Youtern: https://www.youtern.com/

Warner Music Group: https://www.wmg.com/careers

Music-Specific Job Listings

Entertainmentcareers.net: https://www.entertainmentcareers.net/

Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance: https://www.baltimoreculture.org/programs/jobsplus/all#.YYfpkNNKh26

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance: https://www.philaculture.org/what-we-do/job-bank

Gospel Music Association: https://gospelmusic.org/jobs/

International Society for the Performing Arts: https://www.ispa.org/networking/opening_search.asp

jobs.gameindustry.biz (Video Game Audio Design job listings): https://jobs.gamesindustry.biz/jobs/sound-music

Landau Music (cruise ship musician jobs): https://www.landaumusic.com/

League of American Orchestras: https://jobs.americanorchestras.org/jobseekers/

Music Australia: https://musicaustralia.org.au/jobs/

Music Vacancies: https://www.muvac.com/en/ (primarily in Europe)

MusicalChairs: https://www.musicalchairs.info/jobs

Musical America: https://jobs.musicalamerica.com/

Musicians Page: www.musicianspage.com

MusicJobs: https://www.music-jobs.com/usa

National Association for Music Education: https://careers.nafme.org/

National Association of Independent Schools: https://careers.nais.org/jobs/

National Association of Teachers of Singing: https://www.nats.org/cgi/page.cgi/job-center.html

New Music USA (composer opportunities: https://newmusicusa.org/get-funding/

New York Foundation for the Arts: https://www.nyfa.org/classifieds/

National Guild for Community Arts Education: https://nationalguild.org/job-board.aspx

Offstage Jobs (theme park and audio/crew gigs): http://offstagejobs.com/jobsearch.php

Opera America: https://www.operaamerica.org/jobs/

Orchestras Canada: https://oc.ca/en/job-board/

Playbill Jobs (musical theatre gigs): https://www.playbill.com/job/listing

Proship Entertainment (cruise ship musician gigs): http://www.proship.com/#opportunities

RhinegoldJobs (UK and Europe): https://www.rhinegoldjobs.co.uk/

ShowBizJobs: www.showbizjobs.com

SingerSource (vocal/choral jobs in Washington, D.C. area): www.singersource.com

Society for Composers, Inc. (composer gigs): http://www.societyofcomposers.org/

SonicBids (gigs for bands and performers): https://www.sonicbids.com/

Suzuki Association of the Americas: https://suzukiassociation.org/teachers/jobs/

Top School Jobs (music): https://www.topschooljobs.org/searchjobs/?Keywords=music&radialtown=&LocationId=&RadialLocation=20

Regional Music Jobs

American Federation of Musicians - New Orleans Chapter: https://www.neworleansmusicians.org/more-resources-for-musicians/music-career-development/

Archdiocese of New Orleans (Roman Catholic): https://nolacatholic.org/employment

Arkansas Education Jobs: https://arkansas.schoolspring.com/

Arkansas Music Teachers Association: https://www.arkmea.org/jobs

Louisiana Baptists: https://www.goservela.org/search

Louisiana Music Educators Association: https://www.lmeamusic.org/

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra: https://lpomusic.com/about-section/employment-opportunities/

Mississippi Department of Education - Job Search Assistance: https://www.mdek12.org/OTL/OTC/job

Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge: https://diobr.org/employment-opportunities

Southern Teachers Agency: https://southernteachers.com/louisiana

Teach Louisiana: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/

Texas Music Educators Association Job Vacancy Search: https://www.tmea.org/jobs/search/

Religious Music Jobs

Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries: https://www.auumm.org/networking/

Association of Lutheran Church Musicians: https://alcm.org/jobs/

Catholicjobs,com (music): https://www.catholicjobs.com/search/music

ChurchJobs.net (Music & Worship Pastor category): https://www.churchjobs.net/jobs/category/worship-pastor/

Church of God Ministry Opportunities: https://churchofgod.org/ministry-opportunities/

Church Music Association of America: https://forum.musicasacra.com/forum/categories/job-openings

Church Staffing: www.churchstaffing.com

The Christian Chronicle Classifieds (Churches of Christ): https://christianchronicle.org/classified/

Episcopal News Service (The Episcopal Church): https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/jobs/

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: https://www.elca.org/Call-Process/Current-Openings

JewishJobs (music search): https://www.jewishjobs.com/search/music/-

Just Church Jobs: www.justchurchjobs.com

Louisiana Conference (United Methodist Church): https://www.la-umc.org/classifieds

The Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) Career Opportunities: https://www.lcms.org/serve/careers

Metropolitan Community Churches - Job Listings: https://www.mccchurch.org/connectnow/job-listings/

National Association of Pastoral Musicians: https://npm.org/jobs/

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): https://www.presbyterianmission.org/who-we-are/work-for-the-church/

Reformed Church in America: https://www.rca.org/jobs/

SBC Job Postings (Southern Baptist Convention): https://jobs.sbc.net/

United Church of Christ - Ministry Opportunities: https://oppsearch.ucc.org/web/default.aspx

United Methodist Church - Find a Job: https://www.umc.org/en/find-a-job

Yale Institute of Sacred Music - External Job Listings: https://ism.yale.edu/job-listings

General Job Search Websites

Career Arc: www.careerarc.com

Career Builder: www.careerbuilder.com

Glassdoor.com: www.glassdoor.com

Indeed: www.indeed.com

LinkedIn.com: www.linkedin.com

Monster: www.monster.com

Simply Hired: www.simplyhired.com

Acoustical Society of America: www.acousticalsociety.org

America Bandmasters Association: www.americanbandmasters.org

American Choral Directors Association: www.acda.org

American Composers Forum: www.composersforum.org

American Federation of Musicians: www.afm.org

American Musicological Society: https://www.amsmusicology.org/

American Music Therapy Association: https://www.musictherapy.org/

American School Band Directors Association: https://www.asbdaband.org/

Association of Independent Music Publishers: https://www.aimp.org/

Association of Music Producers: https://www.ampnow.com/

Association of Recorded Sound Collections: http://www.arsc-audio.org/index.php

Audio Engineering Society: https://aes2.org/

Canadian Association of Music Therapy: https://www.musictherapy.ca/

Canadian Music Educators Association: https://cmea.ca/

Chamber Music America: https://www.chamber-music.org/programs

The College Music Society: https://www.music.org/

Country Music Association: https://www.cmaworld.com/

Entertainment Software Association: https://www.theesa.com/

Jazz Education Network: https://jazzednet.org/

International Association for the Study of Popular Music (US Branch): https://iaspm-us.net/

International Association for Women in Music: https://iawm.org/

International Computer Music Association: http://www.computermusic.org/

International Conductors Guild: https://www.conductorsguild.org/

International Entertainment Buyers Association: https://ieba.org/

International Federation of the Phonographic Industry: https://www.ifpi.org/

International Society for Music Education: https://www.isme.org/

Music Business Association: https://musicbiz.org/

Music & Entertainment Industry Educators Association: https://www.meiea.org/

Music Library Association: https://www.musiclibraryassoc.org

Music Publishers Association: https://www.mpa.org/

Music Teachers National Association: https://www.mtna.org/

Nashville Songwriters Association (International): http://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/

National Association of Teachers of Singing: www.nats.org

National Association of Music Merchants: https://www.namm.org/

National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences: https://www.grammy.com/

National Association of Recording Industry Professionals: https://www.narip.com/

National Association for Music Education: https://nafme.org/

National Band Association: https://nationalbandassociation.org/

National Music Publishers Association: https://www.nmpa.org/

New Orleans Musicians' Clinic & Assistance Foundation: https://neworleansmusiciansclinic.org/

North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents: https://napama.org/

Opera America: http://www.operaamerica.org

The Society for Ethnomusicology: https://www.ethnomusicology.org/

Society for Music Theory: https://societymusictheory.org

Society for the Study of Sound and Music in Games: https://www.sssmg.org/wp/

The Society of Composers and Lyricists: https://thescl.com/

Society of Professional Audio Recording Services: www.spars.com

Women's Music Business Association: https://www.wmbanashville.org/

There is a seemingly endless number of careers that you can pursue for which a music degree would prepare you - or at least put you on the right track to pursue. Many other careers do not seem like music careers at first glance, but they involve so much music that someone with a music degree would likely rise to the top of a hiring committee's list of preferred candidates. In addition to the very long list of possible career options below (developed and adapted from listed created by Berklee College of Music and many other sources), a music degree can prepare you for careers in music (and other emerging fields related to music) that may not even yet exist.

Here is an incomplete list of careers and job titles held by someone with a music degree (although, of course, some may require additional training or degrees):

Accompanist, Acoustician/Acoustic Engineer, Acquisitions Specialist, Administrator, Admissions Officer, Advancement Officer, Advertising Specialist, Advisor, Agent, Alexander Technique Instructor (Music), Alumni Relations Representative, Amplifier Designer, App Developer, Archivist, Arranger, Artist, A&R Administrator, A&R Representative, Artist Brand Shaper, Artist Development Representative. Artist Liaison, Artist Manager, Artist Development Specialist, Artistic Director, Artistic Planner, Artist-in-Residence, Arts Advocate, Arts Executive, Arts Manager, Arts Policy Writer, Arts School Administrator, Attorney (Music), Audio Designer, Audio Engineer, Audio Equipment Specialist, Audio Producer, Audio Technician, Audio UX Specialist, Audiologist

Background Vocalist, Backline Technician, Band Director, Band Leader. Blogger, Booking Agent, Booth Consultant, Bow Rehairer, Branch Distributor of Music, Brand Manager, Broadcaster, Broadcast Engineer, Broadway Performer, Business Professional, Buyer

Cantor, Cell Phone Music Developer, Chamber Music Coach, Chamber Musician, Choir Director, Choreographer, Church Music Director, Church Musician, Clinician, Club-Spins Tracker, Club/Restaurant Manager, Club/Restaurant Owner, Coach/Collaborative Pianist, College Professor, Community Engagement Representative, Community Music Facilitator, Composer, Computer Engineer, Concert Hall Manager, Concert Music Composer, Concert Promoter, Concert Soloist, Conductor, Consultant, Contractor, Copyist, Copyright Specialist, Costume Designer, Creative Music Producer, Cross-Cultural A&R, Crossover Ambassador, Crossover Strategist, Cruise Ship Performer

Dance Band Musician, Data Jockey, Development Officer, Dialect Coach, Diction Coach, Digital Marketing Specialist, Digital Media Specialist, Digital Workstation Operator, Director, Disc Jockey (DJ), Distributor, DIY Helpmate, Dramaturg, Drum Corps Performer, Drum Technician

Early Childhood Educator, Editor, Editorialist, Education Archivist, Education Administrator, Education Consultant, Education Director, Electronic Engineer, Elementary School Teacher, Endorsement Manager, Engraver (Music), Entrepreneur, Ethnomusicologist, Event Planner, Event Promoter, Executive Director, Executive Producer

Field Technician, Film Music Composer, Film Music Executive, Foley Artist, Foreign Language Translator, Forensic Musicologist, Freelance Musician, Front-of-House Engineer, Fundraiser

Game Audio Director, Game Audio Manager, Game Audio Producer, Game Audio Programmer, Game Composer, Game Developer, Game Sound Designer, General Manager, Geriatric Music Specialist, Grant Writer, Guitar Technician

High School Teacher, Higher Education Professional, Hologram Developer, Hospice Music Therapist, House Band Musician

Indie Record Label Owner, In-House Videographer, Instrument Builder (Luthier), Instrument Designer, Instrument Distributor, Instrument Manufacturer, Instrument Repair Specialist, Instrument Restoration Specialist, Instrument Sales Representative, Internet Ad Sales Representative, Internet Broadcaster, Internet Music Distributor, Internet Radio Producer, Internet TV Producer

Jazz Artist, Jingle Composer, Journalist (Music)

K-12 Music Teacher

Label Expansion Specialist/Global Mktg., Language Instructor, Legal Professional, Lecturer, Librettist, Licensing Administrator, Licensing Executive, Life & Executive Coach, Lighting Designer, Liner Notes Writer, Linguist, Liturgical Development Specialist, Location Sound Engineer, Luthier, Lyricist

Magazine Editor, Magazine Writer, Manager, Managing Director, Marketing Specialist, Mastering Engineer, Media Producer, Medical Professional, Merchandiser, Metadata Repair Specialist, Middle School Teacher, MIDI Producer, Military Band Musician, Mixing Engineer, Monitoring Engineer, Multimedia Specialist, Multimedia Designer, Multimedia Marketer, Music Accessories Developer, Music Advertiser, Music Advocate, Music Analyst, Music App Designer, Music Archivist, Music Attorney, Music Booking Agent, Music Critic, Music Curator, Music Dealer, Music Director, Music Editor, Music Education Administrator, Music Executive, Music Festival Administrator, Music Historian, Music Industry Specialist, Music Journalist, Music Librarian, Music Lobbyist, Music Marketing Specialist, Music Operations Manager, Music Periodical Contributor, Music Producer, Music Publishing Executive, Music Researcher, Music Retailer, Music School Founder, Music Software Developer, Music Store Owner/OperatorMusic Supervisor, Music Therapist, Music Video Ad Sales, Music Video Booster, Music Video Director, Musical Theatre Performer, Musicologist, Museum Professional,

Nightclub Manager, Non-Profit Arts Professional

Online Music Teacher, Opera Coach, Opera Singer, Operations Manager, Oratorio Musician, Orchestra Conductor, Orchestral Musician, Orchestrator, Organist, Organizational Manger, Outreach Coordinator

Performance Coach, Performer, Personal Manager, Personal Documentarian, Personnel Director, Piano Technician, Piano Tuner, Pit Musician, Playback Operator, Playback Supervisor, Playlist Promoter, Playlist Scientist, (Song) Plugger, Podcaster, Pop Artist, Post-Production Assistant, Primary School Teacher, Private Studio Teacher, Pro Audio Technician, ProTools Operator, Producer, Product Demonstrator, Product Marketing Specialist, Product Placement Manager, Production Manager, Professional Manager, Profile Manager, Program Director, Programmer, Promotions Manager, Promotional Agent, Prompter, Psychologist (Music), Public Relations Rep., Publicist, Publisher, Pyrotechnics Developer

Radio Ad Sales Representative, Radio Broadcaster/DJ, Recitalist, Record Label Owner, Record Producer, Record Store Owner, Recording Engineer, Recording Studio Engineer, Recording Technician, Reed Maker, Rehearsal Pianist, Rehearsal Studio Owner, Research Coordinator, Resident Sound Technician, Reviewer, Road Manager, Royalties Miner, Royalties Wrangler, Research Coordinator, Resident Sound Technician,

Sales Representative, Satellite Radio Broadcaster, School Administrator, School Organizer, Scoring Composer, Scoring Conductor, Scoring Consultant, Scoring Contractor, Scoring Engineer, Scout, Secondary School Teacher, Section Leader, Security Director, Self-Publishing Consultant, Session Musician, Singer, Site Manager, Social Entrepreneur, Social Media Amplifier/Brand Evangelist, Social Media Manager, Software Developer, Solo Musician, Song Monetizer, Songwriter, Sonic Branding Specialist, Sound Designer, Sound Editor, Sound Engineer, Sound Recordist, Sound System Innovator, Sound Technician, Special Collections Librarian, Speech Pathologist, Sponsor Manger, Sports World Liaison, Staff Publicist, Stage Crew Member, Stage Director, Stage Manager, Stereo Designer, Streaming Music Specialist, Streaming Storyteller, Stringer (Journalism), Studio Musician, Subscription Manager, Subscription Radio Manager, Supernumerary, Synth Programmer

Talent Agent, Talent Manager, Talent Scout, Teacher, Teaching Artist, Technical Director, Technology Development Agent, Technology Director, Technology Manager, Textbook Author, Theatre Musician, Theme Park Musician, Themed Environment Developer, Ticket Service Director, Tour Manager, Tour Publicist, Touring Agent, Touring Musician, Transcriber, Trauma Counselor, TV Composer, Twitch Music Strategist

University Faculty Member

Venue Operations Manager, Venue Owner, Video Game Composer, Video Jockey (VJ), Video Technician/Designer, Vinyl & Record Sales Manager, Virtual Concert Producer, Virtual-Star Creator, Voice Activation Expert, Vocal Coach, Vocalist, Voice-Over Artist, VR Distributor

Wardrobe Consultant, Wearables Designer, Web DesignerWebmaster

Youth Ensemble Director