Music CV — Examples and 25+ Writing Tips

The music CV sample below is Alice Farnham-level.

But consider this—

A musician CV doesn’t have to be a magnum opus.

It just needs the right notes from your past repertoire.

Set a rhythm between accomplishments and skills, and you’ll come off sounding like a young Bob Dylan or Lera Auerbach.

We’ll show you what that looks like. Then we’ll show you how.

In this guide:

• A music CV template better than most.
• How to write a music CV that fanfares your career.
• How to list performances and work history in a CV for music jobs..
• Why you can’t just list music skills (and what to do instead).

What does a perfect CV for a music look like? See below—

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Are you trying to write a music CV for university applications, or for after university? See these guides:

• High School CV for University Application
• Student CV Examples

Looking a different CV example?

• Artist CV Examples
• Acting CV Examples
• Theatre CV Examples
• Journalist CV

If you’re a music teacher, these guides can help:

• Teacher CV Examples
• Academic CV Template & Guide

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our CV Examples for Over 200 Jobs.

Music CV Template You Can Copy and Use

Here’s how to write a music CV that works like Ariane Matiakh:

1. Pick the Best Music CV Format

Lucky you:

The wrong CV formatting seems discordant.

But get it right, and your CV for music jobs will play like Du bist die Ruh.

Use these tips:

Music CV Format

• Set one-inch margins and use copious white space.
• Choose a CV font like 11–14pt Didot or Garamond.
• Write CV sections for Heading, Summary, Education, and Skills.
• Depending on your career, add Experience, Performances, or Works.
• Your CV length can be 1–4 pages, depending on accomplishments.
• Send a PDF CV 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 CV formatting.

2. Write a Music CV Objective or Summary

The fear is real.

In the music world, attention spans are short. Catch them fast or they’ll change the station.

So—

Write a career objective or career summary that rocks like John Coltrane.

Include:

1. An adjective (accomplished, passionate)
2. The same music job title the position advertises
3. Years of experience (1+, 7+)
4. Your goal (seeking a position with the The Florida Orchestra)
5. Best musical CV achievements(received the Frances Millikan Music Award...)

Want to write yours fast? Then write it at the end.

See these music CV examples:

Music CV Summary—Example

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.

Enthusiastic violist, skilled in giving performances in orchestra music, chamber music, pit orchestra music, and musical theatre 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 CV 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 CV for university example:

Entry-Level Music CV Objective

Passionate 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 theatre.

Hard-working student and viola player, skilled in string ensemble and orchestra performances, as well as musical theatre. A good collaborator and leader who is self-motivated and talented. Has perfect pitch.

Hmm...

The second of those entry-level music CV for university 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 practise more show actual changes in their brain-structures. You can’t submit a brain scan with your CV for music jobs. But you can disclose the number of hours you’ve practised in a year or lifetime.

3. What Comes Next in a Music CV?

What do music job hiring managers care most about?

Should your CV 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 CV needs work experience, while a performance CV must show performances.

See these music CV examples:

Music Performance CV Examples

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 Theatre 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 CV?

Nope. Like the music CV example above, choose the few this job cares about.

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 CV in our CV builder now.

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Now—

What about works?

See these CV for music jobs samples:

Listing Works on a Music Performance CV

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 CV example does:

Show Your Teachers in a Music CV

Are you a composer? This musical CV example is your Stradivarius:

Music Composer CV Example

What about CV work experience in music-related jobs like audio engineer or music teacher? How do you show that on a music CV?

That’s next.

4. Show Experience & Skills in a Music CV

What music skills go best on CVs?

See this list:

Music Skills for CVs

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.

Custom-fit your CV for music positions. Do it by finding the right CV skills and CV keywords in the job ad.

Do it like these music CV examples:

Let’s say you’re applying for a teaching job that needs skills in classroom management, live performance, fundraising, and cost-cutting.

This musician CV sample has symphonic form:

Teaching Experience Music CV Example

Are you a sound engineer or other professional? See the next of our music industry CV samples. The job it’s targeting wants sills in mixing live audio and packing.

Work Experience Musical CV Example

But—

Is your music career just in its opening bars?

Don’t worry. An entry-level CV can have get a standing O. Just add your best achievements.

See these entry-level music CV for university examples:

They’re for a job that wants classroom management, grading, and live performance.

Entry-Level Music CV Job Description [Sample]

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 behavioural 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 organisation and training of 20-member pit orchestra.

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 CV 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 CV Education Section

Showtime.

Your CV for music jobs needs a CV education section.

But don’t settle for listing your music degree and school.

To get up to Leonard Cohen level, add a few skills.

Let’s say you’re applying to a music job that wants a performance violist with leadership skills.

This music industry CV sample stands out:

Music CV Example—Education

Education

Bachelor of Music, University of Florida

2015–2019 

• Viola concentration
• Excelled in performance
• President, Frances Millikan Reitz Student Group

5. Harmonise Your Music CV with Added Sections

You’re almost to the coda.

But let’s make your music CV as memorable as Für Elise.

How?

By adding a few talent clues that don’t fit in your education section.

Try adding one of these:

• Certifications
• Awards
• Scholarships
• Fellowships
• Classes
• Volunteer work
• Freelancing
• Publications
• Classes
• Foreign languages
• Media mentions
• Additional activities
• Hobbies and interests.
• Fitness

See these music CV examples:

Music CV—Other Sections

Awards

• Irwin Hoffman Music Scholarship
• John Canarina Music Fellowship

Additional Activities

• Article on fingering published in Home Studio Corner.
• Volunteer viola player, Fayetteville Presbytarian Church.

Additional Activities

• Swimming
• Fly fishing

That first music industry CV sample has the right tonality. The details give it scale.

Expert Hint: Write a cover letter for your CV 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 CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Key Points

Here’s how to write a music CV:

• Begin with our music CV 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 CV objective with a medley of your best attributes.
• Add CV sections like certifications or additional activities to show you’re molto vivace.

Got questions on how to write good CVs for music jobs? Not sure how to put musician on a CV? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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