What can I do with this degree? |
EDUCATION
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- Daycare centers
- Elementary and secondary schools
- Private schools
- Recreation centers
- Colleges and universities
- Conservatories
- Studios
- Self-employed
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- Acquire teaching certificate for public school teaching.
- Gain experience working with children through volunteer or part-time work experiences.
- Graduate degree required to teach in higher education.
- Specialize in an area such as music, music theory, composition, music history, etc.
- Performance skill on one instrument or voice required.
- Develop business relationships with schools and/or music stores to increase client base.
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PERFORMANCE
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- Armed Forces bands and orchestras
- Symphony orchestras
- Small ensembles
- Rock or jazz groups
- Dance bands
- Concert soloist
- Clubs and restaurants
- Church choirs
- Community choral groups
- Opera chorus or soloist
- Musical theaters
- Ballet productions
- Recording industry
- Radio, television, and motion picture industries
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- Develop musical talent and skill.
- Obtain formal training to acquire necessary skills, knowledge, and ability to interpret music.
- Ambition and showmanship are important.
- Join campus bands and choruses, church choirs, and other performing acts.
- Seek competitions, apprenticeship programs, and workshops to gain experience and recognition.
- Opportunities are very limited. Most performers have other careers.
- Auditions are generally required.
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COMPOSING/ARRANGING
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- Self-employed
- Record companies
- Publishers
- Muzak
- Motion picture and television industries
- Production companies
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- Knowledge of composition, harmony, arranging, and theory are important.
- Learn how to use electronic instruments and synthesizers.
- Develop computer and desktop publishing expertise.
- Skill on one or more instruments and voice are necessary.
- Seek grants and awards through foundations.
- Very few musicians earn living through composing.
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CONDUCTING
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- Choirs
- Choral groups
- Symphonies
- Opera
- Armed Forces bands and orchestras
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- Develop superior musicianship and leadership.
- Acquire extensive experience in performing groups.
- Opportunities extremely limited.
- Gain acceptance into a conductor-training program or related apprenticeship.
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MUSIC THERAPY
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- Hospitals: general and psychiatric
- Special education facilities
- Mental health centers
- Nursing homes
- Correctional facilities
- Private practice
- Outpatient clinics
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- Take courses in psychology, social work, or education.
- Earn a master's degree in music therapy and seek certification.
- Volunteer in a rehabilitation setting.
- Must demonstrate a genuine interest in helping people.
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MUSIC LIBRARIES
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- Colleges and universities
- Conservatories
- Public libraries
- Radio and television stations
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- Develop computer and research skills.
- Gain thorough knowledge of music and musicology.
- Earn master's degree in library/information science.
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RECORDING INDUSTRY
- Publishing and Editing
- Producing
- Recording
- Engineering
- Manufacturing
- Talent Acquisition
- Promotion/Media Relations
- Publicity
- Administration
- Marketing and Sales
- Product Management
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- Production recording studios (most located in New York City, Los Angeles, and Nashville)
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- Complete an internship at a record company.
- Take business courses to work in management or administration.
- Journalism, public relations, and communication classes helpful for work in areas of promotion.
- Gain sales experience for marketing. Must interact well with people and develop persuasion tools.
- Knowledge of electronics, audio engineering, and recording knowledge required for production.
- Work or volunteer at a campus or local radio station.
- Join organizations involved with bringing events and entertainment to campus.
- Work at a retail record store to learn about the industry.
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COMMUNICATIONS
- Music and Program Direction
- On Air Performance
- Promotion
- Voice Overs
- Copyright/Clearance Administration
- Music License Administration
- Music Editing, Production, and Composing
- Sound Mixing
- Post Production
- Research
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- Radio and television stations
- Virtual reality sound environments e.g. Internet sites, software creators
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- Take classes in communications, broadcasting, or journalism.
- Work at on-campus radio station.
- Complete an internship at a television or radiostation.
- Develop computer-related skills such as software development and programming.
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MISCELLANEOUS
- Sales
- Music Journalism
- Law
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- Music shops
- Record stores
- Instrument manufacturers
- Music-related publications
- Magazines and newspapers
- Entertainment law firms
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- Get sales experience. Work in a retail music outlet.
- Take courses in journalism and English.
- Write articles for campus newspaper.
- Earn law degree.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
- Finding positions in the music industry requires a combination of talent, training, connections and some luck. Perserverence is required!
- Develop competencies in business management, computers, marketing, or other areas to broaden range of employment possibilities.
- Develop a variety of skills. Become "multitalented."
- Confidence, personality, a positive attitude, and a love of music are important to success.
- Need basic tools of self-promotion.
- Some jobs may require you to join unions or guilds.
- Perfomers often travel frequently and must be flexible regarding their work schedules.
- Gain experience working for a music publisher or other businesses in the entertainment industry.
- Majoring in music provides students with a sense of aesthetics and an understanding of human expression valuable to many employers.
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Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2003) |
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