By Steve Lipman
If you’re considering a music major, you’ve probably heard the question:
“But what are you going to do with a music degree?”
It’s a fair question. It’s also based on an increasingly outdated idea that studying music leads to only one career: becoming a professional performer.
The reality is that there are many ways to build a career in music. Students can pursue performance, composition, songwriting, music education, music production, audio engineering, music business, technology, and other fields that combine music with another area of interest.
The more important question isn’t simply what you can do with a music degree. It’s what you want to do with it. A music degree can lead to more possibilities than students may initially realize. Exploring different music careers beyond performing can help students identify options that fit their interests and strengths.
You don’t need to have your entire career mapped out before you choose a college, but understanding the possibilities can help you identify the kind of music program, degree, faculty, and opportunities that make sense for you.
What Careers Can You Build With a Music Degree?
Music degree career options vary by specialization. Here are some of the paths students can explore.
Music Performance Careers
For students who want to perform professionally, a music degree can provide focused training, performance experience, and opportunities to learn from experienced musicians.
Potential careers include:
- Orchestra, chamber, or ensemble musician
- Solo performer
- Freelance, session, or touring musician as a part of a rock band
- Musical theater or opera performer
- Church or military musician
The path depends on the student’s instrument, musical interests, and professional goals. Some musicians pursue ensemble positions, while others combine performances with recording, teaching, or other work.
Students interested in performance should look closely at faculty, ensembles, repertoire, and opportunities to perform throughout the program.
Composition and Songwriting Careers
Students who enjoy creating original music may pursue composition or songwriting. These fields offer opportunities to write for different audiences, collaborate with performers, and develop a distinctive creative voice.
Career options include:
- Composer or arranger
- Songwriter
- Film and television scoring
- Video game music composer
- Commercial music writer
- Classical or contemporary composer
Composition programs can help students develop their writing skills and learn how music works across different styles and settings. Opportunities to hear original work performed and receive feedback can be particularly valuable.
Music Production and Audio Engineering
Music production combines creative decision-making with technical skills. Students interested in recording, shaping, and delivering music may pursue careers such as:
- Music producer or recording engineer
- Mixing or mastering engineer
- Live sound engineer
- Audio post-production specialist
- Music technology professional
These roles involve different responsibilities. Producers help shape the creative direction of a recording, while recording and mixing engineers focus on capturing and refining sound. Other audio professionals work on sound for film, television, games, and live events.
Students should look for programs that provide hands-on experience with recording technology, software, studios, and collaborative projects.
Music Business and Industry Careers
Not every music graduate wants to perform or compose. Some are interested in the business and organizational work that supports artists and brings music to audiences.
Career options in music business include:
- Artist management
- Music marketing
- Music publishing
- Licensing
- Concert promotion
- Music distribution
- Music entrepreneurship
These careers can suit students who combine an interest in music with strengths in communication, organization, marketing, or business development. A music business program can introduce students to industry practices and help them understand how different parts of the music ecosystem work together.
For students weighing career options, earning potential may also be a consideration. Explore these highest-paying music careers to learn more about roles that may offer stronger financial opportunities.
Music Education and Teaching
Students who enjoy sharing their musical knowledge may pursue teaching as a primary career or as part of a broader portfolio of work.
Potential music education career paths include:
- K-12 music teacher
- Private music instructor
- Studio teacher
- College or university music educator
- Community music educator
- Music therapy
The educational requirements depend on the role. Public school teaching typically involves specific coursework, supervised teaching experience, and state licensure. College-level teaching may require advanced study, depending on the position and institution.
Private instruction can offer another route, allowing musicians to teach individual students while pursuing performance or other professional interests.
Students considering teaching should research the qualifications required for their intended setting before choosing a program.
Can You Combine Music With Another Field?
Yes. Some students want to combine music with business, technology, education, or another discipline. Others want to study several areas within music, such as performance and production or songwriting and music business.
Depending on the college, students may have options such as electives, minors, concentrations, double majors, or dual degrees. These arrangements differ in their requirements and workload, so students should investigate how each institution structures its programs.
Combining interests doesn’t always require earning two degrees. The right combination depends on the student’s goals and the opportunities available at the school.
How Do You Choose the Right Music Career Path?
Start by identifying the work you enjoy most and the skills you want to develop. Then research the careers connected to those interests.
Talk with professionals and investigate the education and training each role requires. Consider the daily responsibilities of the work, too. Performing, teaching, producing, and managing artists involve very different activities. Practical experience can help students understand what different roles involve and how to prepare for them. Read more about the transition from music school to a career for guidance on navigating life after graduation.
A music degree doesn’t guarantee a particular job. Skills, experience, professional relationships, and initiative also influence career opportunities. The right program can provide training, mentorship, and opportunities to develop those foundations.
You don’t need to predict your entire future before choosing a major. You do need to understand your options and find a program that supports your interests.
Find the Right Music School for Your Goals
Understanding potential music careers is an important first step. Choosing a college that aligns with your student’s abilities, interests, and aspirations is the next.
Inside Music Schools helps students and families assess their options, identify best-fit schools, and navigate the specialized music admissions process. Our team brings an informed perspective on music programs, faculty, and admissions requirements to help families make thoughtful decisions.
Explore our Music Major Guides to research areas of study, or learn about our Music Admissions Strategy to see how we can help you navigate the college music school search.
FAQs About Music Degree Career Paths
What jobs can you get with a music degree?
Music graduates can pursue careers in performance, composition, songwriting, music education, music production, audio engineering, artist management, publishing, marketing, and other music-related fields. Career options depend on the student’s specialization, skills, and experience.
Can you make a living with a music degree?
Yes, some graduates build careers through music performance, production, composition, industry roles, or teaching. Career outcomes vary, and some musicians combine several types of work. Practical experience, professional relationships, and continued skill development can contribute to career opportunities.
What can you do with a music degree besides performing?
Graduates can work in music production, audio engineering, composition, songwriting, education, artist management, music publishing, marketing, and licensing. Many of these roles focus on creating, recording, teaching, or managing music rather than performing onstage.
Do you need a music degree to work in the music industry?
Not every music career requires a music degree. Some roles place greater emphasis on skills, experience, portfolios, and professional relationships. A relevant degree can provide specialized training, mentorship, and opportunities to collaborate, depending on the career and program.
Founder & President at Inside Music Schools | Insidemusicschools.com
Head of admissions and faculty member at Berklee College of Music for 40 years, Steve Lipman and our team at Inside Music Schools speak music as their primary language. We approach each client contact with open eyes, ears, and minds. As the country’s premier music school consultant, he has advised students from the United States, Canada, the U.K., India, Singapore, Dubai, China, Australia, Turkey, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Israel, Italy, Russia and elsewhere.