Occupation Details
Musicians and Singers
Play one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.
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Interests
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$44,630.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$80,510.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$116,730.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
9,770
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
15,160
+539 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
1,970
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.6%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Fine Arts
Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Social Orientation
Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Accordions
- Acoustic guitars
- Alto horns
- Alto saxophones
- Amplifiers
- Audio equalizers
- Autoharps
- Bagpipes
- Banjoes
- Baritone horns
- Bassoons
- Bb clarinets
- Bongo drums
- Bugles
- Capos
- Cellos
- Clavichords
- Clip-on microphones
- Compact disk CD trainers
- Cymbal stands
- Digital tuners
- Double basses
- Drum mallets
- Dulcimers
- Effects racks
- Electronic metronomes
- English horns
- Euphoniums
- Finger picks
- French horns
Technology
- Apple GarageBand
- Appointment scheduling software
- Avid Technology Sibelius
- Blogging software
- Cantovation Sing & See
- Email software
- Financial tracking software
- MakeMusic Finale
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Word
- SAP business and customer relations management software
- Web browser software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- teach music for specific instruments
- communicate visually or verbally
- direct band or orchestra
- compare musical pitch
- compare musical pitch
- convey moods or emotions through music
- convey moods or emotions through music
- express creativity through music, dance, or acting
- express creativity through music, dance, or acting
- tell stories through musical, visual, or dramatic arts
- tell stories through musical, visual, or dramatic arts
- transcribe musical ideas into notes on scored music paper
- compose musical scores
- transpose music from one voice or instrument to another
- understand printed text, musical notation, or customer instructions
- understand printed text, musical notation, or customer instructions
- work as a team member
- work as a team member
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Perform in television, radio, or movie productions.
- Practice performances, individually or in rehearsal with other musicians, to master individual pieces of music or to maintain and improve skills.
- Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
- Sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment.
- Interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.
- Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.
- Sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group.
- Observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation.
- Memorize musical selections and routines, or sing following printed text, musical notation, or customer instructions.
- Play musical instruments as soloists, or as members or guest artists of musical groups such as orchestras, ensembles, or bands.
- Sight-read musical parts during rehearsals.
- Play from memory or by following scores.
- Practice singing exercises and study with vocal coaches to develop voice and skills and to rehearse for upcoming roles.
- Research particular roles to find out more about a character, or the time and place in which a piece is set.
- Listen to recordings to master pieces or to maintain and improve skills.
- Learn acting, dancing, and other skills required for dramatic singing roles.
- Teach music for specific instruments.
- Provide the musical background for live shows, such as ballets, operas, musical theatre, and cabarets.
- Audition for orchestras, bands, or other musical groups.
- Seek out and learn new music suitable for live performance or recording.
- Make or participate in recordings in music studios.
- Promote their own or their group's music by participating in media interviews and other activities.
- Transpose music to alternate keys, or to fit individual styles or purposes.
- Direct bands or orchestras.
- Compose songs or create vocal arrangements.
- Make or participate in recordings.
- Arrange and edit music to fit style and purpose.
- Improvise music during performances.
- Collaborate with a manager or agent who handles administrative details, finds work, and negotiates contracts.
- Compose original music, such as popular songs, symphonies, or sonatas.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Musicians, singers, and related workers
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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