Fri Sep 10 2010

Singer

Professional singers perform in front of an audience or make recordings for broadcast, CD or download. They might do session work for backing tracks, adverts and films.

They may sing alone as a soloist, work with a group of musicians or sing with others in a choir. They may sing classical music, pop, ballads or in musical shows.

A solo artist may work with an orchestra, an accompanist or his or her own equipment, such as backing tracks or a musical instrument. Pop singers may pay session musicians to play the music, or perform at venues that have a house band.

Singers usually work long and irregular hours, practising, rehearsing and performing. Evening and weekend work is normal, and there can be a considerable amount of travel. They may work in a variety of environments, from indoor concert halls, nightclubs, hotels and pubs, to outdoor venues such as parks or the gardens of stately homes.

Singers rarely receive a fixed salary and are usually paid on a concert or gig basis. Payment depends on the venue and experience of the singer and can range from £70 per session for a chorus singer on radio to £880 per concert for a solo singer.

A singer should have:

outstanding musical talent
the ability to work with musicians, conductors or other singers
commitment and be prepared to work long hours
passion and enjoy performing.

Singing is highly competitive and few people work as full-time singers. There is no standard training programme and no fixed career path for singers. They may have to gain qualifications to demonstrate the necessary expertise, but these will not automatically bring work.

It is important for aspiring singers to build up confidence by singing, eg in a school or church choir or by entering talent contests. Festival competitions are important entry routes for classical singers.

There are many courses and qualifications available, although experience of singing in choirs or amateur groups is often regarded as more important. Qualifications range from GCSEs and A levels in music to degrees in popular music.

Classical singers need to go through extensive formal musical education and training, often to postgraduate level. Classical singing is generally taught as a specialist subject at institutions such as universities, music conservatoires and colleges of further education.

Most singers continue to develop their voices and their repertoires with practice, voice training, workshops or lessons.

Some singers may perform in the theatre, on cruise ships, or as support acts for other musicians. They may also move into other areas of the industry, such as teaching.

What is the work like?

Professional singers perform in front of an audience or make recordings for broadcast, CD or download. They might also do session work for backing tracks, adverts and films.

They may sing as a soloist, work with a group, or sing in a choir. Different musical styles include:

classical - including opera, light opera, oratorio and choral, either soloists or members of a choir or opera company
musical shows - ranging from classical to pop music, usually requiring acting ability, too
ballads - easy listening, jazz, folk or country and western, generally in cabaret-style performances, either group or soloists
pop - as solo artists, lead vocalists, backing vocalists or session singers.

A solo artist may work with an orchestra, an accompanist or his or her own equipment, such as backing tracks, amplification or a musical instrument. Pop singers may pay session musicians to play the music, or perform at venues that have a house band or session musicians.

A typical week might involve:

attending practice sessions and rehearsals
playing in front of live audiences
composing songs and music
participating in recording sessions
promoting acts, including making demos and contacting agents
arranging performances and tours, sometimes with a manager/agent.

Most combine singing with other types of work, particularly at the start of their career.

Hours and environment

Singers generally work long and irregular hours, practising, rehearsing and performing. Evening and weekend work is normal, and may involve considerable travel.

Singers may work in a variety of environments, from indoor concert halls, nightclubs, pubs, hotels, restaurants, theatres and recording studios, to outdoor venues such as parks, pop festivals or stately homes.

Many performance venues can be hot due to lighting, stage equipment and audience volumes. Outdoor performances may take place all year round in all weather conditions.

Dress code is mainly relaxed, but typically formal in classical music.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the venue and experience of the singer.

Chorus singers on BBC radio may earn between £70 and £110 per session.
A backing singer on an album may get at least £120 for a three-hour session, reaching up to £350 for very experienced.
Solo singers may earn between £180 and £880 per concert.
For those appearing in stage or television productions, Equity (the performers' union) sets minimum rates for singers in various categories. For example, rates for London West End performances is around £400 a week for eight shows.

Singers rarely receive a fixed salary and are usually paid on a performance basis.

Singers writing their own material can earn royalties if songs are registered with PRS for Music.

Skills and personal qualities

A singer should have:

outstanding musical talent and vocal range
self-discipline and determination
the ability to work with musicians, conductors or other singers
self-confidence and the ability to handle criticism
a reliable voice, health and stamina
the commitment to work long hours
total dedication for what is a very demanding profession.

Interests

It is important to:

be passionate about music
enjoy performing to an audience.

Getting in

Singing is a highly competitive area of work, and few people work as full-time singers.

It is important for aspiring singers to build up confidence by singing at every opportunity. This could include joining a choir or entering talent contests.

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

Classical singers can gain experience by entering festival competitions. Singers of ballads and pop music may get advice from a talent agency or agent. They may have to be prepared to work for little or no pay to gain experience. Performers of all kinds should take voice lessons at an early stage.

Although many singers develop and work regionally, major success eventually depends on working in London at least some of the time.

Occasionally jobs and auditions may be advertised in the music and entertainment press. Networking sites such as MySpace have become important for singers wanting to get themselves known. Record companies may view these sites to find new singing talent.

Entry routes

There is no standard training programme and no fixed career path for singers. Singers may have to gain music qualifications to demonstrate expertise, but these will not guarantee work or success. Experience of singing in choirs or amateur groups, at open mike spots or talent shows, and musicianship is generally more important, which could lead to personal references and bookings.

There are many courses and qualifications available in music, some with specialist options in vocals, including:

GCSEs and A levels
BTEC qualifications, including music, music technology, performing arts (musical) and music practice (performing). Entry to a BTEC National Diploma is usually with at least four GCSEs (A*-C) or equivalent
A degree in popular music - minimum entry requirements are usually five GCSEs (A*-C) and two A levels, or equivalent. Some universities may require music at A level or up to grade eight in music theory
Higher national certificate/diploma (HNC/HND) courses or foundation degrees in a wide range of relevant subjects, entry usually with at least one A level and four GCSEs (A*-C), or equivalent.

Most courses will audition applicants. Entry requirements can vary, so check with the individual schools and colleges.

Classical singers usually have extensive formal musical education and training, often to postgraduate level. Most learn an instrument, usually the piano, to a reasonable level, including graded examinations. However, this is not a requirement.

Classical singing is generally taught as a specialist subject at universities, music conservatoires and colleges of further education, supplemented by summer schools, music competitions and festivals. Singers can take postgraduate courses in either opera or oratorio, depending on their repertoire. The training for this can be lengthy, as a classical voice technique takes a long time to mature. Theatre singing is usually taught at a drama college.

In addition, there are many other full-time and part-time courses, including:

private music courses in specialist fee-paying performing arts schools and academies
BTEC awards and certificates in music practice and music technology
popular music courses offered by adult education institutes and local community organisations.

Voice quality, stamina, determination, reputation and contacts are all vital factors for success.

Training

Continuous improvement is fundamental. As well as gaining formal qualifications, classical singers need to make a name for themselves by entering competitions, applying for bursaries and awards, attending auditions, participating in special schemes for young artists, joining amateur groups and giving free concerts. This may take many years and, even after establishing a reputation, it can be difficult to maintain a successful career.

Most singers continue to develop their voices and their repertoires with practice, voice training, workshops or lessons. Opera singers may take stage craft and movement classes to develop specialist skills.

Rockschool and Access to Music jointly offer qualifications for vocal artists and performing musicians. Rockschool also offers performance diplomas and teaching diplomas in collaboration with the Musicians' Union. Other music academies also offer teaching diplomas.

Training is available for community music work though Soundsense (the National Music and Disability Information Service).

Getting on

A career as a singer is challenging and requires a combination of resilience, training and talent.

Some singers may perform in the theatre, on cruise ships or as support acts for other musicians. They may also move into different areas of the industry, eg teaching, writing songs, or producing their own music.

Further information

Access to Music Ltd, Lionel House, 35 Millstone Lane, Leicester, LE1 5JN. 0116 242 6888. Website: http://www.accesstomusic.co.uk/

Brighton Institute of Modern Music, 7 Rock Place, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 1PF. 01273 626 666. Website: http://www.bimm.co.uk/

The BRIT School, 60 The Crescent, Croydon CR0 2HN. 020 8665 5242. Website: http://www.brit.croydon.sch.uk/

Conservatoires UK Admissions Service (CUKAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ. 0871 468 0470. Website: http://www.cukas.ac.uk/

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

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

Musicians' Union, 60-62 Clapham Road, London SW9 OJJ. 020 7582 5566. Website: http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/

PRS for Music, Copyright House, 29-33 Berners Street, London W1T 3AB. 020 7580 5544. Website: http://www.prsformusic.com/

Rockschool, Evergreen House, 2-4 King Street, Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 3RZ. 0845 460 4747. Website: http://www.rockschool.co.uk/

Soundsense (the National Music and Disability Information Service). Website: http://www.soundsense.org/

Magazines/journals

BBC Music Magazine

Classical Music

Gramophone

Music Week

The Singer

The Stage

Variety

Handsworth Wood Girls´

Visual and Performing Arts Specialist College and Sixth Form Centre