Music jobs – indeed, music careers – are both diverse and plentiful, especially for performers music majors who study at colleges, conservatories, and intense summer programs like the Philadelphia International Music Festival (PIMF).

According to the website Best Colleges, music jobs can easily be placed into one of four basic categories: Performance, Composition, Music Education, and Music Production.

The Performance category accounts for the most obvious jobs:

1. Instrumentalist – Plays classical or contemporary music on a brass, woodwind, string, or percussion instrument
2. Vocalist – Sings Pop, Jazz, Opera, Rock, Rap, or other music form
3. Accompanist – Performs music in concert with other musicians, singers, or dancers
4. Conductor – Directs an orchestra or other music ensemble
5. Disc Jockey (DJ) – Programs and plays recorded music on the radio, in concert, or at special events like weddings

The Composition category involves creating music, with jobs like:

6. Composer – Writes music, like Richard Rodgers
7. Lyricist – Writes words to accompany the music, like Oscar Hammerstein
8. Songwriter – Writes words and music, like Cole Porter
9. Arranger – Arranges or organizes a piece of music according to the needs of a performer, orchestra, or conductor
10. Film or Television Composer – Creates music (or soundtracks) for movies or television shows
11. Music Supervisor – Selects existing music to accompany movies, television shows, commercials, video games, etc.

The Music Education category encompasses those who preserve music and musicianship through training, with jobs like:

12. Music Teacher – Instructs music students at the primary, secondary or college level in music performance or “music appreciation.”
13. Competition Coordinator – Provides opportunities for instrumentalists and vocalists to compete for money and other prizes (especially as a means of sharpening their technical and performing abilities). PIMF enlists competition coordinators in the administration of their international music festival.
14. Archivist – Maintains a music catalog or collection, often for purposes of music preservation
15. Journalist or Critic – Comments on or critiques the quality of music or music performance
16. Music Therapist – Practices “music therapy.” According to American Music Therapy Association, music therapy is “the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship”

The Music Production category includes those who practice the business and technical aspects of music, with jobs like:

17. Producer – Oversees the making of a song or album
18. Recording Technician – Manages the transcription of a song or album, often in a studio and often with high-tech electronic devices
19. Sound Engineer – Creates the “audio experience” for concert audiences
20. Tuner – Adjusts musical instruments to guarantee their sound quality
21. Publisher – Ensures that a musical work – especially a commercial work – is properly distributed, and the parties who contributed to the work are properly paid.

For additional information on music jobs – visit the following websites:

• Majoring in Music
• Music School Central
• Careers in Music
• Careers for Music Lovers