Music Education major

Tag: Music Education major

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

https://carolynenger.com/presskit/Carolyn%20Enger%20FULL%20REPERTOIRE%20LIST.pdf

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5319d2f8e4b025dd26235446/t/5544547ae4b0ebc5baee2e03/1430541434024/Repertoire+List+%28PDF%29.pdf

Bio

https://www.musiciansway.com/blog/2012/08/bios-that-inspire/

https://www.claudiafriedlander.com/the-liberated-voice/printmaterials.html

A four-part series from Angela Myles Beeching on NewMusicBox – post 1, post 2, post 3, post 4

https://helenegrimaud.com/bio

https://www.cameroncarpenter.com/new-page

https://carolineshaw.com

13 Things to do During Your 13 Weeks of Summer as a Music Major

Summer is right around the corner! For some musicians, it could be a great time to take a bit of a break and recollect after being burnt out from a busy school year. For others, including myself, summer is a chance to take advantage of this extra time and explore various opportunities that are available. Here are some of the things I would recommend:

1. Teach lessons

Summer is a great time to gain experience teaching private lessons. Get in touch with music directors, staff at music stores, friends, and family in the area to let them know you plan to teach and ask them to share your name and contact information to prospective students. This is a great time for you to get business cards made and network with others to get your name out there.

2. Take lessons

Get in touch with your high school private instructor or local orchestral musicians and see if they are available to teach you any lessons. I got in contact with various clarinet professors at schools I decided to apply to and did some travelling to take lessons with them. I would highly recommend doing this if you anticipate furthering your education with graduate school.

3. Work at your local music store

Many jobs at music stores can be full-time positions, but it is definitely worth a shot seeking out seasonal or part-time positions! You can learn a lot about different products available, gain valuable customer service skills, and stay updated on current music trends and events. This is a good chance to network too!

4. Work at a music camp for kids

This is especially beneficial for music education majors. Gain experience teaching music and working with kids of various ages and skill levels from elementary school through high school, depending on the program. You could have a significant influence on their musical futures!

5. Secure an internship

There are various internships available for musicians. Many of these may involve working with kids, as mentioned above, but there are many other exciting internships available that may focus more on arts administration if that is something that might interest you. Various symphonies and opera companies have development, marketing, and other internships available. This is another great way to network with others and possibly spend the summer living somewhere new!

6. Attend concerts

During the summer, there are numerous orchestras, wind bands, jazz bands, and chamber ensembles that will be putting on performances. Many of these are exciting pops concerts that take place outdoors and are often free!

7. Play chamber music with local friends

Do you have other musical friends or know of other talented musicians in your area? Hit them up and see if they would be interested in playing any chamber music together! This can keep you engaged with music and keep your rehearsal skills going.

8. Take church gigs

There are many musical opportunities available at churches for their weekly services. I occasionally get asked to perform clarinet for services, but if you have piano or organ experience, these skills are especially valuable. Of course, there’s always church choirs you can get involved with.

9. Do some research and listening

For the sake of my own enjoyment this summer, I started compiling and organizing lists of clarinet repertoire of essentially all possible solo and chamber music I can discover and I have since been going through and listening to all of it and giving them ratings. This is something that really interests me and it kept me quite entertained this summer while teaching me a lot of information that is very valuable for me to know. Projects like this or just listening music is a great way to spend time.

10. Attend a summer music festival

There are so many musical festivals available for all musicians whether they are for orchestras, operas, or chamber music. These are rather competitive to get into and can be very costly. But the experience and the skills learned at festivals can be invaluable and ones you might not learn during the school year. I can say from my own experience, it really sparked a high degree of motivation for me to keep improving and I met so many other great musicians that made me determined to improve.

11. Pursue other performance opportunities

Find performing opportunities for yourself. Find a venue to put on a recital or get a hold of food pantries, warming shelters, or nursing homes to see if you can come in to perform. Chances are they would all be thrilled to have a talented young musician performing!

12. Try something new!

Ever wanted to try a new instrument? Or maybe you want to try your hand at composing? This is the time to do it! Feel free to explore possibilities, take chances, and do something out of you comfort zone. A spark of interest for something could end up developing into a wonderful new passion (and can just be downright fun- I learned bassoon my senior year of high school and loved it!).

13. Practice hard and well

Although you might be gone for a couples weeks on a family vacation or might be busy with work or whatever else you have going on during the summer, don’t neglect practicing. Make sure to find time during your days to really get some high-quality practicing accomplished. Motivation can definitely be a struggle during the summer, but view this is a great time to really be productive and get a lot accomplished!

Abbey Atwater ‘19

Career Peer Educator