The Career of a Musician

By: Natalie Greenlee

2/27/11

Block C

Overview

A musician may• Play one or more instruments solo or with group• Write songs• Compose, conduct, or arrange music• Conduct bands, choruses or orchestras• Teach music (either instrumental or vocal)• Sight read musicOther Characteristics: • a Involved in music from an early age• Adjust to changing hours and schedules• Most are self employed

Overview (cont.)

The different ways they broadcast their music to entertain people is by:

• Performing live on a stage• Video• Radio• Make or participate in recording in a studioA musician must be:• Prepared for auditions• Skilled in several related styles (jazz, rock,

classical, etc)

Education

• Private lessons and training

• University music programs

• College prep. classes• Math and writing skills• Masters degree

(music teacher)

Additional Skills and Abilities

• Memorization skills• Originality and

creativity• Marketing, Sales,

management, and Business Skills

• Teaching and Performing Methods

Related Careers• Song Writer- writes

songs for them to perform, or for other professionals to perform

• Dance Choreographer- picks the moves and routines for dancers

• Actor/Actress- acts out scenes in a play or movie

Salary

Maryland- Beginning: $14.83, Middle: $33.28, Potential: $47.95 (Hour)

National- Beginning: $8.04, Middle: $22.36, Potential: $58.90 (Hour) Average Annual Salary: 70,000

Outlook and Growth Potential

The career of a musician is stable and increasing by 7.64%

• People skilled in various instruments and styles have the best job prospects

• There are more people interested in being a musician than there are job openings

Additional Questions and Answers

What is the location of this career? The location varies depending on the specific type of musician and the gig.

About how many people have this job now? About 246,000 people have this job.

Career Comparison Chart

Musician Physical Therapist

Overview:

Play one or more instruments, write songs, compose, conduct, teach, arrange, rehearse, sing, sight read, must be skilled in various musical instruments and styles, most are self employed and they have to market for themselves, make or participate in recording in a studio, or performing live, they must adjust to changing hours and schedules

help patients to relieve pain and function well, work 40 hours a week, assess, organize, plan, and participate in rehabilitation programs to help patients to restore health or relieve pain, must be physically fit

Education

private lessons and training, college prep. Classes, university music programs, and skills in teaching, performing, math, writing, organization, memorization, originality, and business

Good High School Grades, science Background, study anatomy, therapy, diagnostic procedures, medicine, biology, chemistry and dentistry, an associated degree in physical therapy,

Salary

Average Hourly- Beginning- $14.83 Middle- $33.28 Potential- $47.95 Average Annually- $70,000

Average Hourly- Beginning- $29.78 Middle- $41.24 Potential- $54.81 Average Annually- Beginning- $61,900, Middle- $85,800, Potential- 114,000

Growth potential

7.64 there are more people intterested in being a musician than there are job openings 34.00%

OutlookStable, people skilled in various instruments

have the best job prospects Increasing faster than the Average

Related careers

song writer, dance choreographer, actor/actress

Athletic Trainer, chiropractor, occupational therapist

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to failure when they gave up.”

~Thomas Edison

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