The music industry offers a wide variety of career jobs for those wishing to take music as their professional career. One does not have to be a popular musician or music producer in order to make a hit or be successful in the professional music industry. Pursuing a career in music can revolve around a number of jobs including music education, music business, performers and writers, public relations and advertising, recording and recording industry, music health and radio and television jobs.
The job you choose should be in relation to your skills and/or experiences to enable you effectively perform it. The music education jobs mostly involve teaching and empowering other people about music. This category of music careers can be divided into different sections and titles depending on their specific roles. The salary ranges also differ significantly from one job to another. The common music education jobs one can do in the music industry include;
Music Supervisor:
Alternate Titles: Music Administrator
Job Description: The job of a music supervisor is wide and varies from one institution to another. They are responsible for the coordination of the music curriculum and teaching activities of musical staff either for a state, district or a single school. The teaching personnel guide students on instrumental and vocal music while the music supervisor oversees their activities and roles. The music supervisor is also responsible for evaluating the music education curriculum and programs and recommending any necessary changes. The evaluation is based on the teaching methods and materials for use in his work area. On some occasions, they are supposed to physically attend the teaching lessons and assess the teachers and the program. He then meets with other administration staff in order to deliberate on programs that need change.
Depending on the position held, the music supervisor should regularly review the programs for state or school and determine the ones which need to be dropped or added. In terms of material supply, the music administrator is responsible for ordering any books, equipment or musical aids for his department to enable the music teaching personnel have easy time in instructing the students. The music supervisor also organizes bands, choirs, orchestras and other music competitions involving those under his supervision. The holder usually works during school days and hours. Depending on the position, the music supervisor reports to the school principal, district superintendent or commissioner of education. To be a music supervisor, one must be a holder of at least a bachelors’ degree in music education and must have served as student teacher.
Salary: The salary for music supervisors is not fixed, especially those who work in schools or districts. Their salary is dependent on the specific school or district and the location. The duties performed also determine one’s salary. They usually receive salaries in the same range as the teachers in the same area. Considering all factors, their salary can range from $32,000 to $79,000+ annually.
College, University or Conservatory Music Educator:
Alternate Titles: Instructor, Music Teacher, Professor
Job Description: This job involves teaching in a college or university(s) in which one is posted. The major areas of interest for this job include music composition, theory and history and any other music advancements. They also obviously touch on vocal and instrumental music with the students. Such a job requires the instructor or professor to have broad knowledge and professional skills in effectively delivering the musical instructions since university/college music students are those who have decided to pursue a professional career in music.
Apart from instructing, the music educator can also be hired to coach a music group or conduct performance auditions or music events. He is also responsible for coordinating the bands and orchestras for the college and university. The music educator needs more preparation time before a session, lest it is a vocal/instrumental lesson. The teachings are divided into normal class meetings and music practical meetings so that the students are fully empowered on music. They grade the students at the end of each course.
Salary: The salary a music educator can earn depends on various factors such as the specific college or university, its location and reputation and also the professional level of the educator. In most cases, an assistant professor can get a beginning annual salary of $27,000. Senior professors earn a range of $30000 to $75000+ yearly. The salary of the university music educators can also be boosted by being hired in more than one institution. Generally, university music educators earn more than their counterparts in the colleges.
Secondary School Music Teacher:
Alternate Titles: High School Music Teacher, Music Instructor, Middle School Music Teacher and Music Teacher
Job Description: A secondary school music teacher can work in either high schools or junior highs, and can hold the position of vocal or instrumental teacher or both. As a vocal teacher, he is responsible for teaching vocal lessons as well as coordinating the school’s choirs and choruses. He also organizes and prepares the students for any vocal competition in concerts or state events. As an instrumental instructor, he teaches students on instrumental music concepts and is also responsible for the school’s orchestra and band.
The instrumental teacher also conducts the marching bands during parade meetings and school events. In case of any upcoming instrumental competition, he must prepare the students properly for participation. In all the secondary music lessons, the music teacher must ensure the students are taught on general music theory to have a grasp of the music field. Before becoming a permanent secondary teacher, one must practice student teaching under supervision. The performance would then be evaluated and a decision made n whether to hire the teacher permanently or not. Grading the performance of each student is also their responsibility and they usually work during the regular school hours when students are in session.
Salary: The salary of a music teacher varies depending on the school location, type – public or private, and significantly the teacher’s professional qualifications. The salary usually ranges between $30000 and $70000 annually, plus other additional benefits and allowances. Additional salary is usually available for overtime work like during holidays or non-school days.
Elementary School Music Teacher:
Alternate Titles: Music Instructor
Job Description: These music teachers deal with young students in the elementary schools which could be parochial, public or private. Their roles tend to vary in accordance with the school curriculum and music program, the grade and age bracket they are teaching. They perform merely the same roles as any other music teacher, except that they teach the lower levels of music. They are the ones who usually introduce the students to educational music, teaching them basic concepts like singing, rhythm and listening. At the upper levels of elementary school, the students are introduced into simple music theory and also taught on how to sing in a group and other relevant fundamentals.
Same to other teachers, the elementary school teachers must go through the student teaching program so that their performances and teaching capabilities can be evaluated before being offered a permanent teaching job. The music teacher in this level need creativity and enthusiasm in performing their roles since he deals with young students who still have no passion or interest in having a career in music. Alongside class lessons, they are also responsible for organizing, conducting and preparing the students for school choirs, choruses, concerts or music competitions. Their work hours run parallel to the normal school hours, though they can be involved overtime hours.
Salary: The salary for this job depends on the professional qualifications and level of teacher and the type and location of school. It is common for music teachers in urban areas to earn more than their counterparts in the rural community schools. Also, the type of school, whether private or public, also causes a variation in the salary with private music teachers earning more basic salary than the public ones. For the qualifications, a music teacher can always get improvements in his salary as he advances on his career education and gains more experience. All relevant factors considered, the general range for the salaries can be between $30000 and $75000.
Private Instrument Teacher
Alternate Titles: Instrument Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Studio Teacher and Piano Teacher
Job Description: A private instrument teacher is responsible for instructing his/her students on playing a given instrument like guitar, piano or any other instrument the student chooses. Such a lesson is not always easy and the teacher must possess the skills, knowledge and experience about the instrument and make the session interesting for the students. They could also incorporate vocal lessons with the instrumentals, for students who want to sing as they play their instruments. Most of these students have never learnt music anywhere and therefore have no information concerning music. That is why they have supposedly been taken to a private instructor where they would get individual attention and therefore learn faster.
The private music teacher can teach each student privately or join them in a small group. The lessons can be divided into basic, advanced and professional to suit every level of student. The teachers usually conduct the lessons for about one hour once a week. The venues for the instrumental lessons are usually chosen based on the convenience of both the student and the private instrument teacher, unless it is run by another person other than the instructor. The common locations for the private teaching can the student or teacher’s home, a private music studio or a music shop/store. The private teacher is required to have a good relationship with the student for successful instrument learning.
Salary: The salary varies depending on a number of factors such as the type of employment, the teacher’s skills and the specific instrument. For those on self-employment, the fees range can be between $10 and $50 for every hour taught. Some higher music classes can attract fees between $50 and $500 for every music lesson. However, those working for a private music studio, shop or store can be paid based on each student taught, a fixed weekly salary or both. In most cases, they earn salary in the ranges of $25000 and $60000 per year in addition to other benefits.
Music Librarian:
Alternate Titles: Librarian
Job Description: The role of music librarian can differ depending on the kind of institution of work. They usually work in close relation to the music director of the institution. One of the major roles for this job is to organize and file music compositions, music recordings, instrument scores, sheet music and other relevant music data. They can also suggest and order for the needed music collections for a specific orchestra. In some cases, a music librarian can give music suggestions to the music director in relation to TV, radio, motion picture or any other regarding his role. They therefore have close consultations with the music director whom he works under.
By the help of a computer, the music librarian is also responsible for tracking certain music selections, especially those that have been broadcasted to the mass media in order to evaluate their performance and feedback. Also before any music is broadcasted to the mass media, he is responsible for evaluating the music by listening to it first to ascertain that its quality is good for broadcasting. Generally, he ensures that every music that is broadcasted meets the standards of broadcast and eventual tracking of the music selections.
Salary: The salary of a music librarian depends on the role he is performing and place of work. A librarian can work in many places like radio or TV station, public library, university, college, band, orchestra, chorus and all these play different salaries. Considering all the available factors, one can earn an annual average of between $25000 and $75000 plus other add-ons.
It is therefore clear that one can pursue different options when considering a career in music industry. Furthermore, the music industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world as many people nowadays venture into the industry to get a life. One is not limited to any job, but the professional qualifications and experience determine what you can do. Any music job is possible with at least a bachelors’ degree majoring in your area of interest. The salary for music careers is also very good and a bit satisfying.
Author Profile: Ryan Holman regualary Contributs to websites focusing on learing music production with various music production tips and hacks.