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Music Resume Examples for Musicians & College Application
Music Resume Examples for Musicians & College Application
Okay maestro, so you know a half-step from a harmony and you’d give Jennifer Higdon a run for her treble staff. Now make it sharp with this professional music resume sample.
I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.” Patrick
I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan
My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George
Are you trying to write a music resume for college applications, or for after college? See these guides:
Talented violist seeking a position with the The Florida Orchestra. Studied under Daniel Sweaney and Victoria Chiang at the University of Florida. Recipient of the John Canarina Music Fellowship and received the Frances Millikan Reitz Music Award. Versed in orchestra and chamber music.
Experience
Orchestra Experience
University of Florida
2015–2019
Orchestra, Viola
Concert Band, Viola
Chosen by conductor to mentor 2 violists
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras
2011–2015
Orchestra, Viola
String Ensemble, Viola
Musical Theater and Opera
University of Florida
2015–2019
Les Pêcheurs de Perles—Pit Orchestra, Viola
Don Giovanni—Pit Orchestra, Viola
Chamber Experience
Florida Chamber Music Project
2015–2019
String Quartet, Viola
String Ensemble, Viola
Summary of Works
2018–2019
Karelia Overture—J. Sibelius
Symphony No. 5—D. Shostakovich
Concerto for Orchestra—B. Bartok
2017–2018
Julius Caesar, Overture, Op. 128—R. Schumann
"Amitié Sainte"—G. Bizet
"Arrêtez! Arrêtez!"—G. Bizet
2016–2017
Symphony No. 8—J. Bruckner
Overture to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg—R. Wagner
Concierto de Aranjuez—J. Rodrigo
Awards
Irwin Hoffman Music Scholarship
John Canarina Music Fellowship
Education
Bachelor of Music, University of Florida
2015–2019
Viola concentration
Excelled in performance
President, Frances Millikan Reitz Student Group
Teachers
Daniel Sweaney
Victoria Chiang
Music Skills: orchestra, chamber, pit orchestra, opera, musical theater
Soft Skills:interpersonal skills, communication, collaboration, strong work ethic
Here’s how to write a music resume that works like Ariane Matiakh:
But get it right, and your resume for music jobs will play like Du bist die Ruh.
Use these tips:
Music Resume Format
Set one-inch margins and use copious white space.
Choose a resume font like 11–14pt Didot or Garamond.
Write resume sections for Heading, Summary, Education, and Skills.
Depending on your career, add Experience, Performances, or Works.
Your resume length can be 1–4 pages, depending on accomplishments.
Send a PDF resume file so it won’t turn to cacophony in transit.
Expert Hint: There are only 42,000 full-time musicians in the United States. You’ve chosen a career as hard to get into as the NBA. Don’t play the wrong notes by skimping on your music resume formatting.
2. Write a Music Resume Objective or Summary
The fear is real.
In the music world, attention spans are short. Catch them fast or they’ll change the station.
Your goal (seeking a position with the The Florida Orchestra)
Best musical resume achievements(received the Frances Millikan Music Award...)
Want to write yours fast? Then write it at the end.
See these music resume examples:
Music Resume Summary—Example
Good ExampleTalented violist seeking a position with the The Florida Orchestra. Studied under Daniel Sweaney and Victoria Chiang at the University of Florida. Recipient of the John Canarina Music Fellowship and received the Frances Millikan Reitz Music Award. Versed in orchestra and chamber music.Bad ExampleEnthusiastic violist, skilled in giving performances in orchestra music, chamber music, pit orchestra music, and musical theater productions. A highly talented player and versatile orchestra member with a wide repertoire of works. Hard worker and team player.
Careful:
The second of those music industry resume samples isn’t exactly Achy Breaky Heart. But the details in the first are Charles-Mingus-level.
Now—what if your music experience is still in the Chopsticks phase?
See this entry-level music resume for college example:
Entry-Level Music Resume Objective
Good ExamplePassionate viola player with strong work ethic. Seeking to grow into a working professional at the University of Florida. Played orchestra and string ensemble positions for four years in the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. Excels in musical theater.Bad ExampleHard-working student and viola player, skilled in string ensemble and orchestra performances, as well as musical theater. A good collaborator and leader who is self-motivated and talented. Has perfect pitch.
Hmm...
The second of those entry-level music resume for college examples doesn’t have perfect pitch. It makes lots of noise, but lacks detail.
Expert Hint: A study in The journal of Neuroscience found that professional musicians who practice more show actual changes in their brain-structures. You can’t submit a brain scan with your resume for music jobs. But you can disclose the number of hours you’ve practiced in a year or lifetime.
3. What Comes Next in a Music Resume?
What do music job hiring managers care most about?
Should your resume for music focus on your works? Performances?
What about your compositions? Work experience?
Don’t break your fretboard.
Here’s the answer:
Each job is different. A music education resume needs work experience, while a performance resume must show performances.
See these music resume examples:
Music Performance Resume Examples
Good Example
Experience
Orchestra Experience
University of Florida
2015–2019
Orchestra, Viola
Concert Band, Viola
Chosen by conductor to mentor 2 violists
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras
2011–2015
Orchestra, Viola
String Ensemble, Viola
Musical Theater and Opera
University of Florida
2015–2019
Les Pêcheurs de Perles—Pit Orchestra, Viola
Don Giovanni—Pit Orchestra, Viola
Should you show all your performances on a music performance resume?
Nope. Like the music resume example above, choose the few this job cares about.
Now—
What about works?
See these resume for music jobs samples:
Listing Works on a Music Performance Resume
Summary of Works
2018–2019
Karelia Overture—J. Sibelius
Symphony No. 5—D. Shostakovich
Concerto for Orchestra—B. Bartok
2017–2018
Julius Caesar, Overture, Op. 128—R. Schumann
"Amitié Sainte"—G. Bizet
"Arrêtez! Arrêtez!"—G. Bizet
2016–2017
Symphony No. 8—J. Bruckner
Overture to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg—R. Wagner
Concierto de Aranjuez—J. Rodrigo
Got it?
List the year, the name of the piece, and the composer’s first initial and last name.
But don’t stop there.
If you studied under an impressive teacher, show that like this music resume example does:
Show Your Teachers in a Music Resume
Teachers
Daniel Sweaney
Victoria Chiang
Are you a composer? This musical resume example is your Stradivarius:
Music Composer Resume Example
Original Compositions
Deep Within a Hound’s-Tooth Mood, Large Head Records, 2018
Gliding and Complaining, Big Desert Funk Productions, 2017
Whither Squirrels, Ortega Sound, 2015
What about resume work experience in music-related jobs like audio engineer or music teacher? How do you show that on a music resume?
That’s next.
Expert Hint: If you’re a musician looking for new inspiration, utilizing royalty-free music resources is a great way to freshen up your creative process. These resources can provide you with high-quality samples, loops and tracks that you can build upon or use as the foundation for an entirely new song.
The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.
4. Show Experience & Skills in a Music Resume
What music skills go best on resumes?
See this list:
Music Skills for Resumes
Performance Skills
Soft Skills
Symphony
Interpersonal Skills
Pit Orchestra
Collaboration
Chamber Music
Leadership
Concertos
Communication
Opera
Creativity
Quartets
Physical Stamina
Ensembles
Work Ethic
Instrument-Specifc Skills
Active Learning
Band
Adaptability
Orchestra
Positive Attitude
Technical Skills
Music Teaching Skills
Audio Recording Software
Classroom Management
Acoustics
Instruction
Track Mixing
Technique
Electronics
Assessment
Pro Tools
Music Theory
Digital Audio
Training
Acid Pro 7
Music History
Pitch, Timing, Rhythm
Testing
Live Audio
Grading
Recording Studio Equipment
Career Guidance
But wait a beat.
Music jobs are like compositions. Each has its own needs.
Ignore that, and you might as well play Mendelssohn on the kazoo.
Let’s say you’re applying for a teaching job that needs skills in classroom management, live performance, fundraising, and cost-cutting.
This musician resume sample has symphonic form:
Teaching Experience Music Resume Example
Albert N. Frappier High School
Music Teacher
2016–2019
Managed classrooms of 25+ music students.
Selected, researched, taught, and performed 5 live orchestra performances.
Managed fundraising for over $20,000 per year for the music program.
Three of my students were accepted to the Juilliard School in New York.
Cut costs 12% by reusing books and materials.
Are you a sound engineer or other professional? See the next of our music industry resume samples. The job it’s targeting wants sills in mixing live audio and packing.
Work Experience Musical Resume Example
Crunchy Soundz Productions
Audio Engineer
2016–2019
Head audio engineer for in-demand roadhouse band.
Mix live audio with 10+ instruments and mics for crowds of 150+ every Friday and Saturday night.
In charge of all packing, unpacking, and setup. Cut transportation costs 10% through better planning and use of space relations.
Sound mixing skills written up positively in PlayOut blog.
But—
Is your music career just in its opening bars?
Don’t worry. An entry-level resume can have get a standing O. Just add your best achievements.
See these entry-level music resume for college examples:
They’re for a job that wants classroom management, grading, and live performance.
Entry-Level Music Resume Job Description [Sample]
Good Example
Teacher’s Assistant
Quirion Davis High School
2016–2019
Assisted with classroom management in classes of 30+ students, where 5% were at-risk teens with behavioral issues.
Performed all grading for 3 teachers and 60+ students, including tests, quizzes, papers, and homework assignments.
Facilitated management of live performance of The Music Man, including organization and training of 20-member pit orchestra.
Bad Example
Teacher’s Assistant
Quirion Davis High School
2016–2019
Assisted with lesson plan creation and teaching in large high school.
Researched and sourced classroom materials and equipment.
Tasked with handling teacher-parent meetings.
Responsible for creating and managing homework assignments.
The second of those music resume samples sounds boxy. It lacks shimmer. The first has the music skills they’re looking for!
Expert Hint: A study in the journal Music Perception shows jazz musicians improvise through a system of generating possibilities within the genre and arbitrary choice. The deeper your education and experience accomplishments, the more hiring managers will trust you’ll keep working through the changes.
5. Create the Perfect Music Resume Education Section
That first music industry resume sample has the right tonality. The details give it scale.
Expert Hint: Write a cover letter for your resume for music jobs. To make it perform like Sally Beamish, put your soul into why the job matters to you.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Key Points
Here’s how to write a music resume:
Begin with our music resume template. Add musical accomplishments from your school and work experience.
List music skills like orchestra experience or track mixing. But show Unsuk Chin moments in your bullet points.
Write a music resume objective with a medley of your best attributes.
Add resume sections like certifications or additional activities to show you’re molto vivace.
Got questions on how to write good resumes for music jobs? Not sure how to put musician on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!
About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process
At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.
Having published over 200 career-advice articles, Tom Gerencer is a career expert who covers the whole array of job-seeking topics for people at all career stages, from interns to C-suite members. His insights, commentary, and articles reach over a million readers every month. With inside knowledge of key industry players and in-depth research, Tom helps job seekers with advice across all professions and career stages. Tom holds a degree in English from Colby College.
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