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Career Opportunities With a Major in Music



Richie Cannata is a renowned multi-instrumentalist and owner of Cove City Sound Studios, a recording studio outside of New York City that has recorded the biggest acts in the world. Most famous for his role as saxophonist in Billy Joel's band, Richie now runs the daily operations at the studio. Whether setting up the recording room, composing horn parts, or laying down a saxophone track, Richie works non-stop to ensure only the best music leaves his studio.

Many jobs require a college educated individual. College graduates can use their education in a wide variety of occupations.


The Music Performance degree prepares students for further graduate study or for careers as performers or private studio teachers. It also provides a foundation for developing careers in music business, arts administration, and other arts-related specialties. Music students are also finding employment in computer-related fields which draw upon their experience with music technology and the mental disciplines learned in music theory.

Skills Related to Music

  • Good listening, clarifying, questioning and responding skills

  • Ability to use hands/fingers easily and skillfully

  • Able to analyze, interpret, and appropriately convey musical background/theories to others

  • Knowledge of scale/music/composition

  • Ability to practice and concentrate for long periods of time

  • Ability to accept constructive criticism

  • Vocal / instrumental ability

  • Ability to adjust/repair equipment

Potential Careers Related to Music

The following list is a representative sample of job titles for individuals with a Music Performance major. The list represents some, but certainly not all, careers which Music Performance majors may consider.

Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelor's degree.

Accompanist Advertising Worker Announcer
Arranger Arts Administrator Audiologist
Audio-Visual Librarian Band Director Booking Agent
Broadcast Technician Church Musician Composer
Commentator Concert Manager Critic
Cue Selector Editor Entertainment Manager
Film/Music Editor Instrument Designer Lecturer
Lyricist Media Specialist Museum Curator: Music
Music Therapist Musicologist Orchestra Manager
Performer Piano Tuner Producer
Public Relations Specialist Reporter Salesperson
Songwriter Sound Equipment Technician Video Conservator
Teacher Technical Writer Television Director
Transcriber Vocalist  


Employers in Music

  • Educational institutions

  • Churches/Religious institutions

  • Theaters

  • Music libraries

  • Music stores

  • Private clubs

  • Newspapers

  • Auditoriums

  • Museums

  • Recording studios

  • Community symphonies

  • Film industry

  • Radio/TV industry

  • Magazines/Journals

  • Music publishing companies

  • Community agencies

  • Orchestras

Professional Organizations in This Field

Websites Related to Music

The above information is collected from alumni surveys of numerous colleges, professional associations, and multiple print and online resources.


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