Careers
Many college students (and parents!) want to know: “What can I do with a degree in music?” The truth is, there are many, many more opportunities than you might imagine! Whether you’re looking for a full-time career with benefits, or want to raise a family or have another business on the side while making music, there are plenty of possibilities. It does take an entrepreneurial spirit, but here at IWU we will prepare you both musically and practically. We believe that God has put a passion in your heart, and that “. . . he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, ESV) He is building his kingdom within you, and that journey includes the talents and gifts he’s given you! “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV) We want to encourage you to follow him first, and then follow the passions he’s put within you. As you diligently offer your talents to him each day in the practice room, rehearsal hall, the classroom and on the stage, he will prepare you for the perfect “job.” Whether or not it makes you rich monetarily, it will make you rich in spirit, because you are doing what you were created to do – make music! The artistry that is within you can offer beauty and healing in many, many ways to a hurting world. His dreams for you are far beyond your own!
Ensembles
Ballet orchestras
Barbershop quartets
Big bands
Brass bands
Broadway touring companies
Classical chamber ensembles
Chamber choirs
Circus bands
Concert choirs
Church choirs
Church bands
Church orchestras
Community theater groups
Contemporary music ensembles
Cruise ship bands
Dance bands
Early music ensembles
Educational groups
Festival orchestras
Festival choirs
Folk groups
Gospel choirs
Jazz combos
Jazz choirs
Light opera companies
Light opera orchestras
Marching bands
Military bands
Military choirs
Military jazz groups
Military orchestras
Musical theater companies
Musical theater pit orchestras
Opera companies
Opera orchestras
Performance art ensembles
Pop groups
Religious bands
Symphony orchestras
Touring ensembles
Wedding bands
Wind ensembles
World music ensembles
Freelance Performance
Alumni associations
Anniversary parties
Art councils
Association meetings
Audition accompanist (pianists)
Awards banquets
Baby showers
Bar/bat mitzvahs
Bachelor(ette) parties
Background music
Banquets
Baptisms
Barbecues
Benefits
Birthdays
Block parties
Bookstores
Business luncheon
Busking (street musician)
Cabarets
Ceremonies
Church gigs
Circuses
Chamber music societies
Christmas parties
Club dates
Clubs (Rotary, elks, etc.)
College events
Comedy shows
Community events
Company picnics
Concert series
Concerto soloist
Conferences
Corporate engagements
Country clubs
Cruise ship work
Dance class accompanist
Demonstrations
Dorm events
Educational concerts
Educational residencies
Embassies
Ensemble member
Ensemble sub
Expositions
Fairs
Fashion shows
Festivals
Fraternities & sororities
Fundraisers
Funerals
Grand openings
Guest artist
Graduation ceremonies
Graduation parties
Historical associations
Hobby related events
Holiday parties
Hospital events
House concerts
Hotels
Instrumental accompanist
Jam sessions
Memorial services
Military events
Museum events
Music conferences
Music festivals
New Year’s Eve parties
Office parties
Opening acts
Pageants
Parades
Parties
Performing on TV/film project
Picnics
Political conventions
Radio concerts
Rallies
Rehearsal pianist
Rehearsal dinners
Religious ceremonies
Resorts
Restaurants
Retreats
Reunions
Revivals
Ringer
Romantic dinners
School events
Silent film accompanist
Sing-alongs
Singing telegrams
Singles events
Social dances
Strolling violins
Summer camps
Surprise parties
Studio work – jingles
Studio work – movies
Studio work – radio
Studio work – television
Studio work – record dates
Temple gigs
Theatrical incidental music
Touring shows
Trade shows
University events
Variety shows
Vocal accompanist (pianists)
Yacht clubs
Wedding ceremonies
Wedding receptions
Wedding showers
Teaching Subjects
Accompanying
Arranging
Choral
Composition
Conducting
Ear training
Ensembles
Eurhythmics
General music
Guitar class
Improvisation
Instrumental lessons
Keyboard class
Kodaly
Music appreciation
Music business
Music education/pedagogy
Music entrepreneurship
Music history
Music literature
Music technology
Music theory
Music therapy
Notation
Orchestration
Orff
Percussion
Score reading
Sequencing
Strings/orchestra
Suzuki
Winds/band
Vocal lessons
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Composing Opportunities
Arrangements
Ballets
“Books on tape”
Children’s books with CDs
Ceremonial music
Commercials
Commissions as gifts
Commissions by artists in other disciplines
Commissions by individual musicians
Commissions by musical ensembles
Community ensembles
Competitions
Concert music
Copy work
Cruise ship shows
Dance
Day time television
Documentary scores
Educational ensembles
Film scores
Incidental music
Industrial videos
Internet greeting cards
Jingles
Method books
Music for beginners
Musicals
On-line greeting cards
Operas
Operettas
Professional ensembles
Radio themes
Recordings
Regional ensembles
Re-orchestrations
Ring tones
Sacred music
Songs
Television scores
Theme songs
Theater music
Toys playing music
Transcriptions
Video game music
Website music
Wedding music
Teaching Opportunities
Adult/continuing education
Adjunct college teaching
After school programs
Band/orchestra/choir assistant
College/university professor
Community college teaching
Community groups
Day care music instructor
Drum corps assistant
Education department of orchestra (or other group)
Educational residencies/workshops
Festi val adjudicator
Instructional videos
Kindermusik
Music teaching assistant
Public school – elementary to high school
Pre-school/kindergarten
Private lessons – community program
Private lessons – music store
Private lessons – school music program
Private school (K-12)
Private studio
Settings for social change
Special needs kids
Substitute music teaching
Summer camps
Summer festivals
Teaching artist
Tutoring
Vocal coach
Workshops
Music Related Jobs
A & R administrator
A & R scout
Accompanist
Accountant for musicians
Arranger
Artist manager
Audio technician
Booking agent
Cantor
Competition judge
Concert producer
Concert promoter
Conductor
Contractor
Copyist
Disk jockey/announcer
Director of publicity
Entertainment attorney
Grant writer
Instrument builder
Instrument restorer
Instrument technician
Instrumental performer
Lyricist
Mastering engineer
Minister of music
Music author
Music critic
Music documentary maker
Music editor
Music journalist
Music librarian
Music program director
Music publisher
Music retail sales manager
Music school dean/administrator
Music software designer
Music software consultant
Music store employee
Music store owner/manager
Music therapist
Music video producer
Orchestra librarian
Piano tuner/technician
Pipe organ tuner/technician
Photographer of musicians/events
Private music teacher
Publicist
Radio announcer
Radio programmer
Recording studio owner
Record producer
Recording engineer
Recording mixer/editor
Retail sales management
Road manager
Salesperson
Singer
Songwriter
Sound designer
Sound engineer/mixer
Stagehand
Stage manager
Talent agent
Teacher/professor
Transcriber
Tour coordinator
Videographer of music events
Web designer
Web master
Writing Opportunities
Blogging
CD liner notes
Children’s books (music themes)
Educational books
How-to books
Instructional books
Journal articles
Magazine music journalist
Museum notes on music exhibits
Musician biographies
News releases/publicity
Newsletters for musicians
Newspaper music journalist
Novels about music/musicians
Online articles
Program notes
Reviews of performances
Reviews of recordings
Scholarly text
Text books
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These lists have been taken from the book, The Savvy Musician, by David Cutler. Helius Press, Pittsburgh, PA. © 2010