What do I do with a Music Degree?
The following list was compiled by Music Career Wiki. For specific information on each music career, visit their excellent website.
In addition to these music specific careers, many music degree holders successfully move on to graduate studies and careers within medicine, law, business, etc. These fields value the skills that music degrees teach: creative thinking, discipline, dedication, work ethic, team skills, perseverance, heightened concentration, and organizational skills. These traits that are highly coveted in most career fields.
Composition
- Songwriter
- Electronic Dance Music Composer
- Jazz Composer
- Contemporary Classical Composer
- Community Music Composer
- Educational Music Composer
- Dance Theatre Composer
- Musical Theatre Composer
- Screen Composer
- Interactive Multimedia Composer
- Advertising Music Composer
- Library Music Composer
- Arranger (Popular Music)
- Orchestrator
- Music Copyist
- New Media Artist
Performance
- Original Band
- Other Original Music Performers of Contemporary Popular Music
- Pop Singer
- Children’s Music Group
- Electronic Dance Music Performer
- Jazz Performer
- Folk and Multicultural Performer
- Musical Theatre Performer
- Cabaret Performer
- Cover Band
- Tribute Band
- Piano Bar Performer
- Karaoke Compare
- Electronic Dance Music DJ
- Musical Director
- Backing Musician
- Musical Director (of a Solo Artist and Backing Band)
- Session Musician
- Conductor
- Orchestral Musician
- Chamber Musician
- Classical Singer
- Military Band Musician
- Accompanist
- Repetiteur
- Ballet Pianist
- Community Musician
- Busker
Production
- Record Producer
- Programmer
- Remixer
- Recording Engineer
- Mastering Engineer
- Studio Manager
- Maintenance Engineer
- Production Company
- Live Sound Business
- Sound and Lighting Hire Coordinator
- Tour Manager
- Sound Designer (Theatre)
- Stage Manager (Opera and Music Theatre)
- Film and Television Sound and Music Production:
- Music Supervisor
- Music Editor
- Film Sound Recording, Editing and Mixing
- Music Video Clip Director
Instrument Making and Repairing
- Traditional Musical Instrument Maker
- Experimental Musical Instrument Maker (incorporating Sound Sculptor)
- Electronic Music / Software Instrument Maker
- Woodwind and Brass Instrument Repairer
- Piano Technician
- Electronic Equipment Repairer
Broadcasting
Music Radio
- Presenter
- Music Director
- Program Director
- Producer
Music Television
- Presenter
- Supervising Producer
- Head of Programming (or Program Director)
Music Business
- Artist Manager
- Music Lawyer
- Music Accountant (Business Manager)
- Booking Agent
- Music Merchandiser
- Music Popularity Chart Manager
- Promoter
- Venue Booker
Record Company Positions
- Artist and Repertoire (A&R) Manager
- Label Manager
- Promotions Director
- Sales Director
- New Media Director
- Sales Representative
Music Publishing Company Positions
- Managing Director
- Copyright / Royalties Manager
- Licensing Manager
- Production Music Manager
- Hire Library Manager
- Performance Promotions Manager
Collection Societies Positions
- Member Services Director (APRA)
- Print Music Manager (AMCOS)
- Trade Union Secretary
Retailing and Wholesaling
Record Retail
- Record Store Sales Assistant
- Record Store Owner / Manager
- Manager of a Chain Record Store
Music Retail and Wholesale
- Music Store Sales Assistant
- Music Store Owner / Manager
- Music Equipment Product Manager (Wholesale)
- Internal Sales Manager (Wholesale)
Teaching
- Studio Teacher
- Owner / Manager of a Music Teaching Business Employing Teachers
- Director of a Conservatorium Center
- Primary School Music Teacher
- Instrumental Teacher (Peripatetic - Travelling)
- High School Music Teacher
- Head of Music — Private High School
- University Music Academic
Support Positions in a Music School
- Administrative Assistant
- Technical Officer (Audio)
- Technical Assistant
- Booking Officer
Writing and Research
- Freelance Music Journalist
- Music Critic (Classical Music)
- Editor of a Music Magazine
- Music Biographer
- Music Researcher (Academic)
Other Areas of Music-related Research
- Arts Industry Research Consultant
- Music Textbook Writer
- General Editor of a Music Reference Book
Arts Administration
- Art Form or Arts Section Manager (Government Arts Funding Organization)
- Arts Funding Project Officer
- Arts Development Officer
- Manager of a Music Service Organization
- Director of a Music Industry Advocacy Organization
Music Presenting Organization Positions
- CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
- Artistic Administrator
- Orchestra Manager
- Operations Manager
- Development Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Education Manager
- Financial Manager
- Festival Positions - Artistic Director/CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and Producer
- Venue Manager
Music Therapy
- Music Therapist
- Guided Imagery and Music Therapist
Libraries, Archives and Information Services
- Music Librarian
- Orchestral Librarian
- Music Manuscript Archivist
- Sound Archivist
- Music Curator
Digital & Online
- Music Business Website Developer
- New Media Artist
- Social Network Marketer
- Digital Music Marketer
- Digital Music Distributor
- Music Aggregator