Music Department Opportunities
Career Opportunities available to Music Majors:
One of the realities of the music profession is that people tend to wear several hats at once, and the musicians that genuinely make a go of this field are ones that can integrate working in several related fields. Following is a list of many of the related fields and job descriptions in the profession. Making a career often requires having one's professional network encompass more than one of these fields.
Career Options for Composition Majors
Schools, Colleges, and Universities
- Composition/Theory Professor
- Classroom Professor
- Adjunct instructor in composition or applied music
- Contemporary music ensemble director
- Composer-in-residence
- Department chair
- Music Librarian
- Secondary school music teacher
- After-school music program instructor
- Workshop or master-class presenter
- Academic journal writer or editor (print or online)
Religious Institution, Missions
- Church music minister
- Worship leader
- Church-music songwriter/composer/arranger
- Music missions
Religious Institution, Missions
- Staff songwriter or arranger
- Music copyist/engraver
- Music publisher
- Studio engineer
- Studio producer
- Film composer or orchestrator
- Video game composer
- Music consultant
- Band member or leader
- Music reviewer/critic
- Music retailer
Musical Production Organizations: Orchestra, Opera, and Musical Theatre
- Musical director or producer
- Staff composer or arranger
- Creative design consultant, impresario, administrator
Dance
- Collaborative work with choreographer
- Musical director, producer or consultant
- Dance rehearsal accompanist (improvisation)
Freelance
- Composer on commission
- Songwriter
- Private teacher of theory, composition, songwriting, or arranging
- Workshop or master-class presenter
- Contemporary music ensemble leader
- Solo composer-performer
- Copyist or engraver
Media
- Music Reviewer/Critic
- Broadcaster, podcaster
- Journalist
- Writer
- Multimedia artist or collaborator
- Musical consultant or director for TV, film, video
Career Options for Strings Majors
Performance Opportunities
- Solo Performer
- Chamber Ensembles
- Orchestras
Teaching Opportunities
- Private String Instructor
- University String Instructor
- University Music Class Instructor
- Church ministry/community schools
Administration
- Music Office Administration
- Media Works
Career Opportunities for Music Education Majors
Freelance
- Solo/Collaborative Performer
- Composer
- Arranger
- Music Clinician
Music Industry
- Music agent
- Audio production/editing
- Copyist/transcriber
- Cruise ship entertainer
- Event production/management/planning
- Film scoring
- Music store owner
- Lyricist
- Music curator
- Music magazine editor
- Music publishing
- Piano tuner
Teaching Opportunities
- Band director
- Choral director
- Community Music School Director
- Conductor
- Music Educator/Lecturer
- Summer Camp Music Director
Career Opportunities for Vocal/Choral Majors
Freelance
- Solo/Collaborative Performer
- Choral Conductor
- Private Vocal Teacher/Coach
Music Industry
- Opera Theatre Performer
- Musical Theatre Performer
- Professional Chorus Member
- Popular Singer/Recording Artist
- Vocal Jazz Performer
- Cruise Ship Entertainer
Teaching Opportunities
- Choral Music Educator
- Choir Director
- Band Director
- University Vocal Professor
Career Options for Organ Majors
Missions/Church Ministry
- Church Organist
- Church Choir/Music Director
- Music Missions
Freelance
- Organ Builder/Technician
- Composer
- Private Organ/Piano Instructor
- Accompanist/Collaborator
Music Industry
- Organ Salesperson
- Music Publisher/Editor
- Music Magazine/Periodical Publisher/Editor
Teaching Opportunities
- University Organ Professor
- Adjunct Organ Instructor
Career Opportunities for Piano Performance Majors
Schools, Colleges, and Universities
- University Piano Instructor
- Staff Accompanist
- Music Class Instructor
- Artist-in-Residence
- Music Department Chair/Dean
- High School Music Teacher
- Elementary School Music Teacher
- Choral Accompanist
- Choral Administrator
Opera Company/Musical Theatre
- Audition/Rehearsal Accompanist
- Orchestra/Show Pianist/Keyboardist
- Music Librarian
- Program Coordinator
- Administrator
- Musical Director
- Conductor
Dance
- Ballet Class Accompanist
- Modern/Contemporary Dance Class Accompanist
- Gymnastics Accompanist
- Dance Performance Pianist
Missions/Church Ministry
- Choral/Music Director
- Choral Singer
- Choral Accompanist
- Music Missions
Music Industry
- TV Show Pianist
- Multimedia Artist
- Piano Technician
- Large Ensemble Pianist
Freelance
- Solo Pianist
- Clinic/Master Class Teacher
- Music Ensemble Pianist
- Private Piano Teacher
- Arranger
- Composer
- Restaurant Pianist
- Accompanist for Soloist
- Pianist for Vocal/Instrumental Studio
- Conductor