A career in music allows you to convert your passion into your profession.
Working in the field of music can take many forms, from conducting, to composition, performance, education, and everything in between.
Careers in music are ideal for those who can’t help but play, create and seek out music of all persuasions. Often those who work in the music industry have natural abilities that help them such as perfect pitch, but for those who wish to pursue a career they will also need to have the discipline to practice for hours each day to develop these natural talents to their highest potential.
Becoming a professional in the music industry does not always require a degree. If you have a musical spark in you, others may recognise it and connect you to the people and tools you need to start your musical career.
However, depending on what kind of career in music you crave, you could need very specialised and technical knowledge, the kind that can only be gained from furthering your education. For example, if you wish to be an opera singer or classical musician in an orchestra, you will need to undergo extensive coaching to develop the skills required to perform at a professional level.
It is possible to work as a private music teacher without any formal qualifications. However, if you wish to work within school systems or in tertiary academia, you will be required to have a Bachelor’s degree in education specialising in music and arts, as well as the recently introduced requirement of a two year Master of Teaching degree. To learn more about the study pathway for a music teacher, click here.
A professional musician is a broad term that refers to anyone who is paid to their musical skills. It could refer to composition skills, performance ability, and many other avenues (read more).
Music teachers can work in both individual and group settings, in both private and governmental capacities. It is their job to improve the musical abilities of others, so they should have good organisational and interpersonal skills (read more).
Opera singers require extensive training in order to produce the desired tones of voice that operatic productions call for (read more).
Composers write music for many audiences, including for theatrical productions, for commercials, and for mass consumption (read more).
It is the job of a conductor to keep time and ensure that all members of a musical ensemble cohesively play together (read more).