Arthur Rubinstein learned the names of the piano keys by the time he was two years old. Ray Charles began to play the piano at age three. Yehudi Menuhin performed solos with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra at the age of seven. Buddy Holly won $5.00 singing "Down the River of Memories" at a talent show at five. Gladys Knight won $2,000 singing on the Ted Mack's Amateur Hour at age seven. Marvin Hamlisch was accepted at the Juilliard School of Music at age seven. All of these musical geniuses got their starts very early as those who choose careers in music and dance often do.
MUSICIANS
About 256,000 musicians perform in the United States. Included in this number are those who play in any one of thirty-nine regional, ninety metropolitan or thirty major symphony orchestras. (Large orchestras employ from 85 to 105 musicians, while smaller ones employ 60 to 75 players.) Also counted are those who are a part of hundreds of small orchestras, symphony orchestras, pop and jazz groups, and those who broadcast or record.
Instrumental musicians may play a variety of musical instruments in an orchestra, popular band, marching band, military band, concert band, symphony, dance band, rock group, or jazz group and may specialize in string, brass, woodwind, or percussion instruments or electronic synthesizers. A large percentage of musicians are proficient in playing several related instruments, such as the flute and clarinet. (This increases employment opportunities.) Those who are very talented have the option to perform as soloists.
Rehearsing and performing take up much of musicians' time and energy. In addition, musicians, especially those without agents, may need to perform a number of other routine tasks such as: making reservations, keeping track of auditions and/or recordings, arranging for sound effects amplifiers and other equipment to enhance performances, designing lighting and costumes, doing makeup, keeping the books, and setting up advertising, concerts, tickets, programs, and contracts. Musicians also need to plan the sequence of the numbers to be performed and/or arrange their music according to the conductor's instructions before performances.
Musicians also must keep their instruments clean, polished, tuned, and in proper working order. In addition they are expected to attend meetings with agents, employers, and conductors or directors to discuss contracts, engagements and any other business activities.
Performing musicians encompass a wide variety of careers. Here are just a few of the possibilities:
Session Musician
The session musician is the one responsible for playing background music in a studio while a recording artist is singing. The session musician may also be called a freelance musician, backup musician, session player, or studio musician. Session musicians are used for all kinds of recordings, Broadway musicals, operas, rock and folk songs, and pop tunes.
Versatility is the most important ingredient for these professionals; the more instruments the musician has mastered, the greater number of musical styles he or she can offer, the more possibilities for musical assignments. Session musicians often are listed through contractors who call upon them when the need arises. Other possibilities exist through direct requests made by the artists themselves, the group members, or the management team.
The ability to sight-read is important for all musicians, but it is particularly crucial for session musicians. Rehearsal time is usually very limited, and costs make it too expensive to have to do retakes.
Section Leader-Section Member
Section members are the individuals who play instruments in an orchestra. They must be talented at playing their instrument of choice and able to learn the music on their own. Rehearsals are strictly designed for putting all of the instruments and individuals together and for establishing cues such as phrasing and correct breathing. It is expected that all musicians practice sufficiently on their own before rehearsals.
Concertmaster/Concertmistress
Those chosen to be concertmasters or concertmistresses have the important responsibility of leading the string sections of the orchestras during both rehearsals and concerts. In addition, these individuals are responsible for tuning the rest of the orchestra. This is the "music" you hear for about fifteen to twenty seconds before the musicians begin to play their first piece.
Concertmasters and concertmistresses must possess leadership abilities and be very knowledgeable of both the music and all the instruments. They answer directly to the conductor.
Floor Show Band Member
Musicians who belong to bands that perform floor shows appear in hotels, nightclubs, cruise ships, bars, concert arenas, and cafes. Usually the bands do two shows per night with a particular number of sets in each show. Additionally they may be required to play one or two dance sets during the course of the engagement. The audience is seated during the shows and gets up to dance during the dance sets. Shows may include costuming, dialogue, singing, jokes, skits, unusual sound effects, and anything else the band decides to include. Floor show bands may be contracted to appear in one place for one night or several weeks at a time. As expected, a lot of traveling is involved for those who take up this career.
Choir Director/Church or Temple Musician
Choir directors are responsible for recruiting and directing choirs and planning the music programs. They are often given the job of auditioning potential members of the choir, setting up rehearsal schedules, overseeing and directing them, and choosing the music. They may be in charge of the church's or temple's music library or may designate another individual to do so. Working closely with the minister or other religious leader of the congregation, choir directors plan all concerts, programs, and other musical events.
In addition choir directors develop and maintain the music budgets for their religious institutions. In some cases choral directors are expected to maintain office hours each week. During those times, individuals may write music, handle administrative chores or work with small groups of singers and/or the organist.
Usually a bachelor's degree in church music is required; often a master's degree is requested.
Organist
Organists play their instruments at religious and special services like weddings and funerals. Recitals also may be given as part of the congregation's spiritual programming. Organists choose the music to be played or may work with the choir or music director to accomplish this task. Organists also are responsible for making sure organs are in proper working order and may advise the congregation on other music-related issues. Sometimes the organist is also the choir director.
Conductor and Choral Director
The music conductor is the director for all of the performers in a musical presentation, whether it be singing or instrumental. Though there are many types of conductors-symphony, choral groups, dance bands, opera, marching bands, and ballet-in all cases the music conductor is the one who is in charge of interpreting the music.
Conductors audition and select musicians, choose the music to accommodate the talents and abilities of the musicians, and direct rehearsals and performances, applying conducting techniques to achieve desired musical effects like harmony, rhythm, tempo, and shading.
Orchestral conductors lead instrumental music groups, such as orchestras, dance bands, and various popular ensembles. Choral directors lead choirs and glee clubs, sometimes working with a band or orchestra conductor.
Announcer/Disc Jockey
Announcers play an important role in keeping listeners tuned into a radio or television station. They are the ones who must read messages, commercials, and scripts in an entertaining, interesting, and/or enlightening way. They are also responsible for introducing station breaks, perhaps interviewing guests, and selling commercial time to advertisers. Sometimes they are called disc jockeys, but actually disc jockeys are the announcers who oversee musical programming at radio stations and during parties, dances, and other special occasions.
Disc jockeys also may interview guests and make public service announcements, announce the time, do the weather forecast, or even report the news. They must be very knowledgeable about music in general and all aspects of their specialties, specifically the music and the groups who play and/or sing that kind of music. Their programs may feature general music, rock, pop, country and western, or any specific musical period or style such as tunes from the 1950s or 1960s.
Since radio programs are usually performed live, disc jockeys must be quick thinking and personable. Most often they do not have a written script from which to read. They must be able to perform well under stress and in situations where things do not go as planned. Thus the best disc jockeys possess pleasant, soothing voices and good wit and are able to keep listeners fully entertained.
It takes considerable skills to work the radio controls, read reports, watch the clock, select music, talk with someone, and be entertaining to the audience, all at the same time.
DANCERS
Ever since ancient times, dancers have expressed ideas, stories, rhythm, and sound with their bodies. In addition to being an art form for its own sake, dance also complements opera, musical comedy, television, movies, music videos, and commercials. Therefore, many dancers sing and act as well as dance.
Dancers most often perform as a group, although a few top artists dance solo. Many dancers combine stage work with teaching or choreography. Here are some examples of dance specialties:
Choreographers
Choreographers create original dances. They also may create new interpretations to traditional dances like the ballet, "Nutcracker," since few dances are written down. Choreographers instruct performers at rehearsals to achieve the desired effect. They also audition performers.
Ballet Dancers
Ballet dancing requires a lot of training-in fact, more than any other kind of dancing. Ballet dancers are performers who express a theme or story.
Modern Dancers
Modern dancers use bodily movements and facial expressions to express ideas and moods. Jazz is an example of a modern dance.
Tap Dancers
Tap dancers use tap shoes to keep in time with all kinds of music. The shoes allow them to tap our various dance rhythms.
The Life of a Dancer
Dancing is strenuous. Rehearsals require very long hours and usually take place daily, including weekends and holidays. For shows on the road, weekend travel is often necessary. Rehearsals and practice are generally scheduled during the day. Since most performances take place in the evening, dancers must usually work late hours.
Due to the physical demands, most dancers stop performing by their late thirties, but they sometimes continue to work in the dance field as choreographers, dance teachers and coaches, or as artistic directors. Some celebrated dancers, however, continue performing beyond the age of fifty.
Dancers work in a variety of settings, including eating and drinking establishments, theatrical and television productions, dance studios and schools, dance companies and bands, and amusement parks.
In addition there are many dance instructors in secondary schools, colleges and universities, and private studios. Many teachers also perform from time to time.
New York City is the home of many of the major dance companies. Other cities with full-time professional dance companies include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC.
TRAINING FOR MUSICIANS
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 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 and experience.
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.
Desirable Personal Qualities
Young people who are considering careers in music should have musical talent, versatility, creative ability, poise, and the stage presence to face large audiences.
Since quality performance requires constant study and practice, self-discipline is vital. Moreover, musicians who play conceit and nightclub engagements must have physical stamina because frequent travel and night performances are required. They also must be prepared to face the anxiety of intermittent employment and rejections when auditioning for work.
TRAINING FOR DANCERS
Training for dancers varies according to the type of dance. Early ballet training for women usually begins at five to eight years of age and is often given by private teachers and independent ballet schools. Serious training traditionally begins between the ages of ten and twelve. Men often begin their training between the ages of ten and fifteen.
Students who demonstrate potential in the early teens receive more intensive and advanced professional training at regional ballet schools or schools conducted under the auspices of the major ballet companies.
Leading dance school companies often have summer training programs from which they select candidates for admission to their regular full-time training program. Most dancers have their professional auditions by age seventeen or eighteen; however, training and practice never end. Professional ballet dancers have one to one and one-half hours of lessons every day and spend many additional hours practicing and rehearsing.
Early and intensive training also is important for the modern dancer, but modern dance generally does not require as many years of training as ballet. Because of the strenuous and time-consuming training required, a dancer's formal academic instruction may be minimal. However, a broad, general education including music, literature, history, and the visual arts is helpful in the interpretation of dramatic episodes, ideas, and feelings.
Many colleges and universities offer bachelors or higher degrees in dance. This might be through the departments of music, physical education, fine arts, or theater. Most programs concentrate on modern dance, but also offer courses in ballet/classical techniques, dance composition, dance history, dance criticism, and movement analysis.
A college education is not essential to obtaining employment as a professional dancer. In fact, ballet dancers who postpone their first audition until graduation may compete at a disadvantage with younger dancers. On the other hand, a college degree can help the dancer who retires at an early age as often happens and wishes to enter another field of work.
Completion of a college program in dance and education is essential to qualify for employment as a college or elementary/high school dance teacher. Colleges, as well as conservatories, generally require graduate degrees, but performance experience often may be substituted. However, a college background is not necessary for teaching dance or choreography professionally. Studio schools usually require teachers to have experience as performers.
JOB OUTLOOK FOR MUSICIANS
Competition for musician jobs is keen, and talent alone is no guarantee of success. The glamour and potentially high earnings in this occupation attract many talented individuals.
Still, overall, employment of musicians is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. Almost all new wage and salary jobs for musicians will arise in religious organizations and bands, orchestras, and other entertainment groups. A decline in employment is projected for salaried musicians in restaurants and bars, although they comprise a very small proportion of all salaried musicians. Bars, which regularly employ musicians, are expected to grow more slowly than eating establishments because consumption of alcoholic beverages outside the home is expected to continue to decline. The fastest growing segment of restaurants is the moderately priced, family dining restaurants, which seldom provide live entertainment to their customers. Overall, most job openings for musicians will arise from the need to replace those who leave the field each year because they are unable to make a living solely as musicians.
JOB OUTLOOK FOR DANCERS
Dancers and choreographers face very keen competition for jobs. The number of applicants will continue to exceed the number of job openings, and only the most talented will find regular employment.
Employment of dancers and choreographers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005 due to the public's continued interest in this form of artistic expression. However, cuts in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and related organizations could adversely affect employment in this field. Although jobs will rise each year due to increased demand, most job openings will occur as dancers and choreographers retire and leave the occupation for other reasons, and as dance companies search for and find outstanding talent.
The best job opportunities are expected to be with national dance companies because of the demand for performances outside of New York City. Opera companies also will provide some employment opportunities. Dance groups affiliated with colleges and universities and television and motion pictures will offer some opportunities. Moreover, the growing popularity of dance in recent years has resulted in increased employment opportunities in teaching dance.
With innovations such as electronic sounds and music videos, choreography is becoming a more challenging field of endeavor and will offer some employment opportunities for highly talented and creative individuals.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
There are literally hundreds of professional associations for musicians and dancers. Contact any of the following for more information about employment in this field.
