Musician Training Programs and Education Requirements
Musicians typically learn their trade through extensive training and hands-on experience. Many musicians begin playing instruments and learning musical styles at a young age. A formal education is not required to be a musician, though it can lead to networking opportunities in the industry. Typically, musicians work part-time or irregular hours during nights and weekends.
Training Requirements and Recommendations
Musicians have unique training requirements that rely on significant instrumental training and hands-on experience. Instead of only pursuing a music degree, most musicians practice with other musicians in order to hone their skills and learn more about musical performance and composition. Those who do attend school often have a technical advantage that musicians without a formal education do not have.
Many musicians seek part-time jobs in other industries because of the unreliability of consistent employment opportunities in the music industry. Musicians have to submit demos or perform auditions to receive work and competition is high. Musicians spend much of their time writing music, composing songs and albums and rehearsing with other musicians. Individuals in the music business must also have physical strength to routinely perform on stage.
Formal Education
In general, musicians are not required to have a formal education. Most musicians find employment opportunities through extensive practice and hands-on training. However, a music degree program can teach musicians to better understand the fundamentals and the finer points of music and musical composition.
Associate of Arts in Music
An associate's degree in music prepares students to work as musicians with music groups, choirs, symphonies or music production companies. Coursework allows students to practice instrumental music and read complex music and music literature. Students learn to apply musical theories to all types of music, including jazz, rock and classical music. Typical courses include:
- Music theory
- Music composition and production
- Ear Training
- Instrumental instruction
- Music history
Bachelor of Arts in Music
A 4-year bachelor's degree in music provides advanced coursework in musical theory, composition, production and conducting. Students learn to play various instruments and, if desired, take vocal training courses. A bachelor's degree program in music may include courses on:
- Advanced musical composition
- Classical music training
- Physics of music
- Applied vocal training
- Music literature
Job Experience
Musicians are not required to have a specific amount of job experience. When pursuing opportunities with musical venues, musicians must often submit musical demos or perform an audition. Job experience may lead to greater musical skills, more contacts and more opportunities, but there is no standard amount of experience required to be a musician.
Licenses and Certifications
Musicians do not need to be licensed or certified. Employers evaluate musicians based on musical abilities and knowledge of musical styles. Musicians who have a diverse knowledge of musical theory and production techniques have the best opportunities for employment. Potential employers typically rely on musical demos and live stage auditions to award jobs.
Workshops and Seminars
The American Federation of Musicians holds conferences and workshop for all types of musicians. The AFM has chapters in several states, cities and regions of the country and those provide various training and networking opportunities for members. These conferences typically have guest speakers, musical guests and informational sessions for beginning and advanced musicians. The AFM also collaborates with smaller organizations to set up pensions and funds for musicians.
Additional Professional Development
Career opportunities often increase as musicians become gain more experience and notice. Organizations like the AFM, the Freelance Musicians' Association (FMA) and the Recording Musicians Association offer resources and information on the music industry, entertainment promotion and marketing, copyright issues and unions for musicians. Each organization offers newsletters and contact information for a variety of essential musical resources.
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5 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Florida (1 campus)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- MA in Music and Worship Studies
- MA in Ethnomusicology
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- Master of Arts in Worship - Ethnomusicology
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Florida (1 campus)
- Nevada (1 campus)
Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Distance Learning Programs
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Non-Degree
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- Career Diploma in Artist: Comprehensive
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School locations:
- California (5 campuses)
- Colorado (1 campus)
- Florida (1)
- Georgia (1)
- Illinois (2)
- Massachusetts (1)
- Michigan (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Nevada (1)
- Pennsylvania (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (3)
- Virginia (1)
- Washington (1)
Classroom-Based Programs
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Bachelor
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- Bachelor in Audio & Media Technology
- Bachelor in Audio Design Technology
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- Bachelor in Audio Production
- Bachelor in Sound & Motion Picture Technical Arts
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Associate
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- Associate in Audio Production
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Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Michigan (2 campuses)
Areas of study you may find at University of Michigan include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Music Performing
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School locations:
- Florida (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of South Florida include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Music Performing
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School locations:
- Texas (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Texas Tech University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Music Composition and Theory
- Music Pedagogy
- Music Performing
- Musical Conducting
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- Piano and Organ
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School locations:
- Arizona (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Northern Arizona University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Music Composition and Theory
- Music History and Literature
- Music Performing
- Musical Conducting
- Voice and Opera
- Photography, Film, and Video
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School locations:
- Washington (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Washington include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Jazz
- Music Composition and Theory
- Music History and Literature
- Music Merchandising and Management
- Music Performing
- Musical Conducting
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- Piano and Organ
- Stringed Instruments
- Voice and Opera
- Photography, Film, and Video
