Career Options for Music String Performance

Students who graduate with a degree in Music: String Performance have a wide variety of careers open to them. However, without knowing what to search for, it can be difficult to find positions in the music industry. Below are just a few options to look into when applying for jobs.

Performance Careers:

Because Music: String Performance focuses on performance and technique, many available jobs are performance-based. Jobs in String Performance vary from being a solo artist to performing in large groups, like symphonies and orchestras. Some music-based careers include:

Group Performance: If you are interested in performing in small, professional groups or large orchestras, consider positions like Chamber Musician, Orchestral Musician, Symphony Musician, and Military Musician.
Entertainment Performance: Film, Theatre, and other disciplines in the entertainment industry need musicians. Some jobs to look into in this field include Studio Musician, Pit Orchestra Musician, Cruise Ship Musician, Cover Band Musician, and Wedding Musician.
Solo Performance: While most people think of solo work as performing alone, there are many solo artists who perform with larger groups. Some examples of solo performance careers include Concert Soloist, Independent Artist, Freelance Musician, and Concertmaster.

Non-Performance Careers:

Although non-performance careers are not as well known in comparison to performance-based careers, they can provide a unique, stable position in the music industry. Some examples of non-performance careers include:

Orchestra Librarian
Orchestra Production Crew
Music Teacher
Private Music Instructor
Composer/Arranger
Music Director
Tour Manager
Artistic Director

Career Resources:

While sites like LinkedIn and Indeed may still have open music careers listed on their website, they often are focused on more non-performance careers. Musicians often have to use music-specific job boards and career centers in order to find openings. A few job boards for musicians looking for both performance and non-performance work are:

Conclusion

Knowing where to look for careers in String Performance can make the job search process easier. Whether you are interested in group performance, solo work, or entertainment performance, there are open positions for you.