Fri Sep 10 2010

Classical Musician

Classical musicians perform, compose and/or conduct music. They might play an instrument or sing in live performances at concerts and theatres, or for recording sessions to produce backing tracks for adverts, TV, radio and films. This may also involve them writing new material for a specific event.

Many classical musicians make a living by combining their performing career with additional instrumental or vocal teaching. Some may work within the education department of an orchestra or opera company. Others train as school music teachers, working either full-time or part-time as a visiting teacher. Some work in the bands of the armed forces.

Classical musicians usually work long and irregular hours, practising alone, taking part in rehearsals and performing. They may work in a variety of environments, from indoor concert halls, theatres and recording studios, to outdoor venues such as parks and the gardens of stately homes. Musicians can also work in schools.

The pay of classical musicians varies widely but only a few people earn high incomes. Many are able to make steady incomes to support themselves by taking on a wide variety of work. Solo instrumentalists may earn between around £80 and £600 per concert. Employed orchestral musicians may earn between £22,000 and £40,000 per year.

Classical musicians need:

outstanding musical ability
to be self-disciplined and very hard-working
to be totally dedicated to a very demanding profession
to enjoy working and co-operating with other musicians and musical directors
to love music and performing.

Classical music is a highly competitive area of work. Musicians are often self-employed, and very few earn their living as solo performers, but often will make successful careers playing in orchestras, small ensembles, professional choruses, conducting, composing and working in music education.

Classical musicians need extensive formal musical education and training, often to postgraduate level. Most have learnt to play one or more instruments from an early age. Entrants to higher education music courses often need to have grade eight in their first instrument. Auditions and interviews form part of the selection process.

Musicians have to continue improving their skills, practising and rehearsing for many hours. A wide variety of postgraduate and Masters degree courses are available, including performance, composition and conducting.

As well as formal qualifications, musicians need to make a name for themselves by entering competitions, applying for bursaries and awards, taking auditions, participating in special schemes for young artists, joining amateur groups and giving free concerts.

What is the work like?

Many classical musicians make a living by combining their performing career with additional instrumental or vocal teaching. Some may work within the education department of an orchestra or opera company. Others train as school music teachers, working either full-time or part-time as a visiting (peripatetic) teacher. Some work in the bands of the armed forces.

The life of a classical musician involves regular and intense practice, often for many hours a day. This might be combined with a hectic schedule of performances, educational work or recordings.

Those with exceptional talent and personality may become solo performers, but opportunities for this type of work are limited. Experienced musicians can find regular work performing in an orchestra, chamber group, ensemble or chorus.

Hours and environment

Classical musicians usually work long and irregular hours, practising alone, taking part in rehearsals and performances. Evening and weekend working is common, and there can be a lot of travel required within the UK and abroad.

Musicians may work in a variety of environments, from indoor concert halls, theatres and recording studios, to outdoor venues such as the parks and the gardens of stately homes. Musicians can also work in schools and other educational settings.

Some performance venues, such as cathedrals and churches, may be cold and draughty, as can rehearsal rooms.

Salary and other benefits

The pay of classical musicians varies widely and only a few earn high incomes. Many are able to make steady incomes to support themselves by taking on a wide variety of work. The rates below give an idea of the sorts of pay musicians might expect.

Solo instrumentalists may earn between £80 and £600 per concert.
Solo singers may earn between £150 and £550 per concert.
Chorus singers on BBC radio may earn between around £70 and £108.
Visiting music teachers in schools may earn between £19 and £29 an hour.
Self-employed orchestral musicians may earn between £85 and £150 per day.
Employed orchestral musicians may earn between £22,000 and £40,000 per year.

Musicians are often self-employed and need to fill gaps in their diary between blocks of regular scheduled work. Many supplement their incomes with other work. The Musicians Union (MU) and the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) websites suggest the sort of rates musicians could be paid. These vary widely, depending on the type of work and the experience of the musician, and the figures are intended as a guideline only.

Skills and personal qualities

Classical musicians need:

outstanding musical ability
to be self-disciplined and very hard-working
to be totally dedicated to a very demanding profession
to work well on their own and also with other musicians
self-confidence
energy and stamina
to be willing to produce work to an exacting high standard
to be resourceful and very well-organised.

Interests

It is important to:

have a real love of music
enjoy working and co-operating with other musicians and musical directors
enjoy performing to an audience.

Getting in

Opportunities for full-time classical singers are more limited than for instrument players. Most opportunities are within opera, or with one of the small number of professional choruses or chamber choirs.

Conductors face very stiff competition for the small number of jobs available.

Many classical musicians combine their performing career with teaching or work with community groups.

Entry routes

Classical musicians need extensive formal musical education and training, often to postgraduate level. Most have learnt to play one or more instruments from an early age. They usually take a series of graded examinations, including theory of music. Formal training for singers can sometimes begin later, since the voice takes time to mature.

Useful qualifications include:

GCSEs and A levels in music.
BTEC National Diploma in music practice. Entry is with four GCSEs (A*-C), or equivalent.

There are two main types of higher education courses:

specialist vocational degree courses in a music college (a conservatoire)
music degree courses in a university or higher education institution, including music in the community courses.

The minimum academic entry requirements are usually two A levels, or the equivalent, including music. Entrants often need to have achieved grade eight in their first instrument, and sometimes grade six in their second. Auditions and interviews form part of the selection process. Entry requirements can vary, so it is best to check with the individual schools involved.

It is also possible to train as a classical musician with the Royal Marines, Army or Royal Air Force (RAF). Musical education is combined with basic military and first aid training. A high standard on one instrument is normally needed. Entry is by audition.

Musicians who want to teach music in a secondary school normally take a degree in music, followed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). It is also useful to get experience of working in the community. Working with established education departments in orchestras, ensembles and opera companies is an option too.

Operatic and choral singers often sing in foreign languages, so knowledge of other languages can be an advantage.

Most successful classical musicians have had an interest in music and have played or sung since childhood.

Training

Musicians have to continue improving their skills, practising and rehearsing for many hours. They may also attend specialised courses to extend their technique or the types of music they play or sing.

A wide variety of postgraduate and Masters degree courses are available, including performance, composition and conducting.

Freelance musicians will also benefit from training in business skills, such as accounts and marketing skills. Advice is available from the MU and ISM.

Getting on

Orchestras offer opportunities for talented musicians, who may rise to section principal, sub-principal and principal. Orchestras and opera companies can offer opportunities for musicians who want to extend their practice through their education departments.

Further information

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), 24 Portland Place, London W1B 1LU. 020 7636 5400. Website: http://www.abrsm.org/

Association of British Orchestras, 20 Rupert Street, London W1D 6DF. 020 7287 0333. Website: http://www.abo.org.uk/

Creative and Cultural Skills, Lafone House, The Leathermarket, Weston Street, London SE1 3HN. 020 7015 1800. Website: www.creative-choices.co.uk/music

Equity, Guild House, Upper St Martins Lane, London WC2H 9EG. 020 7379 6000. Website: http://www.equity.org.uk/

Headquarters Music Services, Royal Air Force, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 0RZ. 01895 815481. Website: http://www.rafmusic.co.uk/

Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM), 10 Stratford Place, London W1C 1AA. 020 7629 4413. Website: http://www.ism.org/

Musicians Union (MU), 33 Palfrey Place, London SW8 1 PE. 020 7840 5504. Website: http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/

Royal Marines Band Service, HMS Nelson, Queen Street, Portsmouth, Hants PO1 3HH. 02392 876943. Website: http://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/

Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, Kneller Hall Road, Twickenham, Middlesex TW2 7DU. 020 8744 8650. Website: www.army.mod.uk/music

Magazines/journals

BBC Music Magazine

Classical Music

Gramophone

Music Teacher

Music Week

The Singer

The Stage

Handsworth Wood Girls´

Visual and Performing Arts Specialist College and Sixth Form Centre