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Text File | 1995-10-24 | 10.4 KB | 215 lines

215
Musicians

(D.O.T.  152 except .021)

Nature of the Work

Musicians may play musical instruments, sing, write musical
compositions, or conduct groups in instrumental or vocal
performances.  Musicians may perform alone or as part of a group,
before live audiences or on radio, or in studios for recording, TV,
or movie productions.

   Instrumental musicians play a musical instrument in an orchestra,
band, rock group, or jazz combo.  Musicians may play any of a wide
variety of string, brass, woodwind, or percussion instruments.  For
example, they may play the violin, trumpet, trombone, saxophone,
clarinet, flute, organ, one of the rhythm instruments the piano,
string bass, drums, and guitar or one of the many electronic
synthesizers.

   Singers interpret music using their knowledge of voice production,
melody, and harmony.  They sing character parts or perform in their
own individual styles.  Singers are often classified according to
their voice range soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, or bass or by
the type of music they sing, such as opera, rock, reggae, folk, or
country and western.

   Composers create original music such as symphonies, operas, sonatas,
or popular songs or raps.  They transcribe ideas into musical
notation using harmony, rhythm, melody, and tonal structure.  Many
songwriters now compose and edit music using computers.  Some even
have a musical keyboard linked to a computer which compiles the
digital information into musical notation while they play.  Also,
they may program the composition in musical notation into the
computer, which can play back the piece.

   Orchestra conductors lead orchestras and bands.  They audition and
select musicians, choose the music to be performed, and direct
rehearsals and performances.  They apply conducting techniques to
achieve desired musical effects.

   Choral directors conduct choirs and glee clubs.  They audition and
select singers and direct them at rehearsals and performances to
achieve harmony, rhythm, tempo, shading, and other desired musical
effects.

   All musicians spend a considerable amount of time practicing.  Those
who play current music listen to recordings and copy the sound,
since sheet music may not be available.

   Musicians may have to travel frequently to perform.

Working Conditions

Musicians often perform at night and on weekends and spend
considerable time in practice and rehearsal.  Performances
frequently require travel.  Because many musicians find only
part-time work or experience unemployment between engagements, they
often supplement their income with other types of jobs.  In fact,
many decide they can not support themselves as musicians and take
permanent, full-time jobs in other occupations, while working only
part time as musicians.

Employment

An average of about 236,000 musicians held jobs in 1992.  Many were
between engagements, so that the total number of people employed as
musicians during the course of the year might have been greater.
Over half of the musicians employed in 1992 worked part time; over
one-third were self-employed.

   Many work in cities in which entertainment and recording activities
are concentrated, such as New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville.
Classical musicians may perform with professional orchestras or in
small chamber music groups like quartets or trios.  Musicians may
work in opera, musical comedy, and ballet productions.  Many are
organists who play in churches and synagogues 6 out of 10 musicians
who are paid a wage or salary work in religious organizations.
Musicians also perform in clubs and restaurants, and for weddings
and other events.  Well-known musicians and groups give their own
concerts, appear on live radio and television, make recordings and
music videos, or go on concert tours.  The Armed Forces, too, offer
careers in their bands and smaller musical groups.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Many people who become professional musicians begin studying an
instrument at an early age.  They may gain valuable experience
playing in a school or community band or orchestra, or in a combo
with a group of friends.  Singers usually start training when their
voices mature.  Participation in school musicals or in a choir often
provides good early training.  Musicians need extensive and
prolonged training to acquire the necessary skill, knowledge, and
ability to interpret music.  This training may be obtained through
private study with an accomplished musician, in a college or
university music program, in a music conservatory, or through
practice with a group.  For study in an institution, an audition
frequently is necessary.  Formal courses include musical theory,
music interpretation, composition, conducting, and instrumental and
voice instruction.  Composers, conductors, and arrangers need
advanced training in these subjects as well.

   Many colleges, universities, and music conservatories grant
bachelor's or higher degrees in music.  Many also grant degrees in
music education to qualify graduates for a State certificate to
teach music in an elementary or secondary school.

   Those who perform popular music must have an understanding of and
feeling for the style of music that interests them, but classical
training can expand their employment opportunities, as well as their
musical abilities.  Although voice training is an asset for singers
of popular music, many with untrained voices have successful
careers.  As a rule, musicians take lessons with private teachers
when young, and seize every opportunity to make amateur or
professional appearances.

   Young persons who are considering careers in music should have
musical talent, versatility, creative ability, and poise and stage
presence to face large audiences.  Since quality performance
requires constant study and practice, self-discipline is vital.
Moreover, musicians who play concert and nightclub engagements must
have physical stamina because frequent travel and night performances
are required.  They must also be prepared to face the anxiety of
intermittent employment and rejections when auditioning for work.

   Advancement for musicians generally means becoming better known and
performing for greater earnings with better known bands and
orchestras.  Many musicians rely on agents or managers to find them
performing engagements, negotiate contracts, and plan their careers.

Job Outlook

Employment of musicians is expected to grow about as fast as the
average for all occupations through the year 2005.  Most job
openings will arise from the need to replace the many musicians who
leave the field each year because they are unable to make a living
solely as musicians.  Competition for musician jobs is tough, and
talent is no guarantee of success.  However, being able to play
several instruments and types of music enhances the opportunity to
find employment.

   Although the total number of musician jobs is expected to increase,
employment in restaurants and bars is expected to decline.  The
fastest growing segment of restaurants is the moderately priced,
family dining restaurants, which seldom provide live entertainment
to their customers.  Bars, which regularly employ musicians, are
expected to grow more slowly than eating establishments because
consumption of alcoholic beverages outside of the home is expected
to continue to decline.

Earnings

Earnings often depend on a performer's professional reputation as
well as on geographic location and on the number of hours worked.

   According to the American Federation of Musicians, minimum salaries
in major orchestras ranged from about $1,000 to $1,400 per week
during the 1993-94 performing season.  The season of these top
orchestras ranged from 48 to 52 weeks, with most being 52 weeks.  In
regional orchestras, the minimum salaries were between $400 and $700
per week, and the seasons lasted 25 to 38 weeks, with an average of
30 weeks.  Community orchestras, however, had more limited levels of
funding and offered salaries that were much lower for seasons of
shorter duration.

   In 1993, musicians employed in motion picture or television
recording and those employed by recording companies were paid a
minimum of about $226 and $249, respectively, for a 3-hour session.

   Although a few opera soloists and popular singers earned thousands
of dollars per performance, the minimum daily wage rate for a
principal singer on network or syndicated television was $485 in
1993.

   Musicians employed by some symphony orchestras work under master
wage agreements, which guarantee a season's work up to 52 weeks.
Many other musicians may face relatively long periods of
unemployment between jobs.  Even when employed, however, many work
part time.  Thus, their earnings generally are lower than those in
many other occupations.  Moreover, since they may not work steadily
for one employer, some performers cannot qualify for unemployment
compensation, and few have either sick leave or vacations with pay.
For these reasons, many musicians give private lessons or take jobs
unrelated to music to supplement their earnings as performers.

   Many musicians belong to a local of the American Federation of
Musicians.  Professional singers usually belong to a branch of the
Associated Actors and Artists of America.

Related Occupations

There are many music-related occupations.  These include
librettists, songwriters, arrangers, and music therapists.  A large
number of music teachers work in elementary and secondary schools,
music conservatories, and colleges and universities, or are
self-employed.  Many who teach music also perform.

   Technical knowledge of musical instruments is required by instrument
repairers, tuners, and copyists.  In addition, there are a number of
occupations in the business side of music such as booking agents,
concert managers, music publishers, and music store owners and
managers, as well as salespersons of records, sheet music, and
musical instruments.  Others whose work involves music include disc
jockeys, music critics, sound and audio technicians, music
librarians, and radio and TV announcers.

Sources of Additional Information

   For a directory of accredited programs in music teacher education,
contact:

   National Association of Schools of Music, 11250 Roger Bacon Dr.,
Suite 21, Reston, VA 22091.