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Musicians and Performers Job Overview

Musicians entertain live audiences in nightclubs, concert halls and theaters. They may also perform in recording or production studios. They play musical instruments as soloists or as members of a musical group. They often specialize in a particular kind of music like playing in an orchestra, band or small ensemble. They play a variety of string, brass or woodwind instruments and percussion instruments like drums. They spend a lot of time practicing. They study and rehearse music scores in order to perform them best. They play from memory, follow a musical score or even improvise while performing.

Musicians and Performers Schools and Degrees

Musicians and performers undergo extensive and prolonged training and practice to acquire necessary skills and knowledge required to interpret music. Formal training may be acquired through private study in a college, university or a music conservatory. The National Association of Schools of Music accredits more than 600 college-level programs in music. Courses normally include music theory, music interpretation, composition, conduction and performance in a particular instrument or in voice. A master’s or doctoral degree is usually required to teach advanced music courses in colleges and universities. A bachelor’s degree may be sufficient to teach basic courses. A degree in music education qualifies graduates for a state certificate to teach music in public elementary or secondary schools.

Job Requirements

Musicians and performers must possess knowledge of all types of musical styles aside from gaining mastery in the musical style that interests them the most. Aspiring musicians and performers should have musical talent, versatility, creativity, poise,and a good stage presence. Self-discipline is crucial because producing a quality performance on a consistent basis requires constant study and practice. Musicians and performers must also be prepared to face the anxiety of discontinuous employment and of rejection when auditioning for work. They should always remember that they perform for the public and establish and maintain relationships.

Nature of Work

Musicians and performers generally perform at night and on weekends and spend a lot of time practicing or rehearsing. Full-time musicians with long-term employment contracts such as those with symphony orchestras or television and film production companies, enjoy steady work and less travel. Nightclub, solo, or recital musicians frequently travel to perform in a variety of local settings. They may also require to tour nationally or internationally. The stress of constantly looking for work leads many musicians to accept permanent, full-time jobs in other occupations, while working part time as musicians.

Musicians and Performers Jobs and Outlook

According to research in 2006, musicians and performers held about 264,000 jobs in the U.S. That number is expected to grow by 264,000 over the next ten years. Employment is highest in the following industries:

• Amusement Parks and Arcades
• Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
• Performing Arts Companies
• Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events
• Religious Organizations

The mean hourly wage for musicians and performers in the US is about $27.27.

Job Numbers and Growth

Musicians and performers nationally number 196,000. The unemployment level for workers is high, compared to other occupations. About 5% of employees were unemployed recently.

Area Job Conditions

Musicians and performers are relatively common in Corvallis (Oregon), Nashville (Tennessee), and Eugene (Oregon). They are rarer in Atlanta (Georgia), Oklahoma City (Oklahoma), and Kansas City (Missouri).

Workers are paid highest in (), (), and (), and lowest in (), (), and ().

Training and Education

Employees are generally expected to have long-term on-the-job training. About 53% of musicians and performers hold a bachelor's degree or better. Currently 28% of workers have some college education, though not a degree. About 19% of employees were able to get their jobs with a high-school diploma. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

About 37% of musicians and performers work less than full-time. In 49% of the cases, workers work for themselves.

Musicians And Performers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Nebraska

Nevada

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin