Important Documents for Musicians: How to Write a Musician’s Resume, Repertoire list, and Bio

As classical musicians, we most often focus on aspects of our individual playing and view auditions alone as being the sole factor in landing a job. Auditions are undeniably a very significant part to obtain professional positions, but some other factors also play an important part in getting to this point. Similar to how most jobs require candidates to submit a cover letter and resume, the same often applies for musicians in order to be invited for an audition. Cover letters are not as frequent with musicians, but could potentially be asked for. Sample cover letters can be found here in our Career Resources. For now, I would like to discuss some of the content and steps involved in writing a musician’s resume, repertoire list, and bio.

MUSICIAN’S RESUME

You should start with a header as you would with any other resume: include your name, email address, phone number, address, and LinkedIn url if you have an account. One additional thing to include next to your name is your instrument/voice type. For me, it looks like this: Abbey Atwater, Clarinet
In other resumes, next would usually be your education section. Do include this in you resume, but farther down. If you are submitting your resume in hopes of being invited to take an orchestral audition, your performance experience should take precedence and be highlighted further up and your education should be moved down.
Your performing experience can be expressed in a variety of ways and ordered differently depending on the significance. Here is how I personally would go about organizing it:
- Orchestral (or Large Ensemble) Experiences
  - Example:

Section leader, Lawrence University Orchestra, Appleton, WI, September 2016 – present

Chamber Music
Solo Performances/Awards Won/Accomplishments
- Example:

Winner, Lawrence University Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition, Appleton WI January 2019

In these, include any specific leadership positions you may have had (principal, concertmaster, winner- if for a competition) or any auxiliary instruments played (Eb clarinet, English horn). This will be formatted just as other work experience would look like on a resume: position title, company (or ensemble in this case), location, and dates from start to finish.
Refrain from listing specific works played (unless relevant like roles for vocalists)- save this for your repertoire list
In these experience sections, either chronological or combination-style orders would be appropriate. Either list everything in reverse chronological order or in terms of importance. For example, if you have competed in various competitions and have won a few, placed second in another, and been a finalist in some, prioritize them in that order with the win being the first listed
For ensemble experience, try to include ones that were ongoing and not a “one-and-done” sort of deal like with competitions.
Next, you can place your education section which includes: school and its location, graduation year, GPA, degree(s), and major(s)/minor(s).
Following this is a list of your primary private instructors. All that needs to be included is their name and dates studied. Master classes (that you played in) will come after this with the same information (name and date)

You can also include a section for relevant professional organizations (ex: National Association for Music Education, Music Teachers National Association, Sigma Alpha Iota)
Try to keep under one page

REPERTOIRE LIST

The purpose of a repertoire list is to provide others with all the repertoire you have worked on that you could potentially perform if asked on short notice.
Begin with the same heading/contact info as your resume/cover letter
As the title suggests, this essentially is a list of all repertoire performed (for vocalists and instrumentalists) and repertoire conducted (for conductors)
- Works studied can also be included if studied sufficiently and you feel you could perform competently- not just something sight read once
Always include these specific kinds of works:
- Vocalists:
  - Opera roles
  - Musical roles
  - Lieder
  - Other works
- Instrumentalists:
  - Sonatas/ solo works with piano
  - Unaccompanied works
  - Concertos
  - Chamber works
- Conductors:
  - Operas
  - Orchestra works
  - Wind band works
  - Chamber works
Depending on what is asked in the requirements for the repertoire list, the following can also be included:
- Method books studied
- Excerpts studied
- Music performed in large ensembles (ex: symphonies and other significant works)
- Repertoire played on auxiliary instruments
Can also indicate:
- If music consisted of a public performance (recital, concert) or if performed by memory
  - Can use different symbols to indicate each of these: + # *
- Date of performance
- If you played in a master class/ who specifically you studied the repertoire with
- What ensemble you performed with
Music should be listed in a way that looks professional and appropriate. These are all formats that work and keep them consistent throughout the list)
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A major K. 622
- Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A major K. 622
- Clarinet Concerto in A major K. 622, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

MUSICIAN’S BIO

In third person
Begin by stating your name, where you are from, and what age you started studying music
In the the middle of your bio, mention significant accomplishments including:
- Solo performances
- Ensembles performed in
- Music festivals attended
- Master classes you have played in
- Music internships or teaching experiences
- Leadership positions pertaining to music
- Performing jobs held in the past
You can also mention some background in why you began playing your instrument/singing or any turning points in your musical career
At the end mention where you are currently studying, who you are studying with, what year you are, and your plans for next year are if you are graduating
If you are out of school, you can also mention where you are currently located and what you are doing (both professionally and/or a fun fact like: “In addition to playing the alto clarinet, Gustav has a passion for cooking and loves taking long walks with his dog, Buddy”)

Below, you can find some additional useful resources and example to help you craft your own!

Abbey Atwater ’19
Career Peer Educator

Cover Letter

https://music.depaul.edu/resources/career-services/Documents/Cover%20Letter%202016.pdf

https://cdn.uconnectlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/132/2021/11/careerguide.coverletter.pdf

Resume

https://necmusic.edu/sites/default/files/2017-02/Tips%20for%20Writing%20Perf%20Resumes.pdf

https://www.pugetsound.edu/sites/default/files/file/4663_Music%20resume%20packet%202012_0.pdf

https://www.resumeprofessionalwriters.com/musician-resume/

Repertoire List

https://musicdancetheatre.asu.edu/sites/default/files/instrumental_rep_list_sample.pdf

resume-and-rep-list.docx – Eastman School of Music