myfuture

Site navigation

Musician



Duties and Tasks
Specialisations
Quick Facts
Work Conditions
Personal Requirements
Related Industries
Labour Market
Related Jobs
Earnings
Related Courses
Further Information
State Specific Information

Occupation Video
 

Conducting a choir during rehearsal
Conducting a choir during rehearsal


Musicians write, arrange, orchestrate, perform and conduct musical compositions. 

Fact Sheet

Duties and Tasks

Musicians may perform the following tasks:

  • study and rehearse musical scores prior to performances
  • play music in recital, as an accompanist, or as a member of an orchestra, band or other musical group, from score or by memory
  • make recordings for sale on tape or compact disc
  • make videos to represent the music
  • may provide musical backing for television commercials, popular recordings, radio, television or film productions
  • may improvise, transpose, compose, or arrange music
  • may play under the direction of a conductor.

Specialisations

A musician may perform a variety of tasks depending on their area of specialisation.

Music Arranger
Classical Musician
Composer
Conductor (Music)
Ethnomusicologist
Jazz Musician
Music Critic
Musicologist
Performing Musician/Instrumentalist

Info Icon Quick Facts

Learning Area Performing Arts  
Work Demand Including full use of hands/fingers  
Including mainly indoor work  
Including noisy environment  
Including reading or writing  
Work Field Art, Design, Music and Entertainment  
Work Interest Creative or Artistic  
Practical or Mechanical  
Skill Level Professional Jobs  
Quick Facts

Work Conditions

Musicians must be prepared to work irregular hours and spend long periods practising and rehearsing. Some musicians work in areas unrelated to music to support themselves. Many professional musicians with experience in all styles combine music performance and music teaching careers in Australia.

Personal Requirements

  • musical skills
  • stamina to perform at peak level
  • self-confidence, motivation, dedication and determination
  • able to concentrate for long periods
  • mastery of one or more styles of music such as classical, jazz or pop
  • flair for entertainment.

Related Industries

Motion Picture and Sound Recording Activities
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (Except Computer System Design and Related Services)
Creative and Performing Arts Activities

Labour Market

Information

Australian JobOutlook for Musicians and Singers

Vacancies

Australian JobSearch for Musicians and Singers (ALL AUSTRALIA)
Australian VolunteerSearch - Arts/Culture and Heritage for ALL AUSTRALIA
Work Opportunities websites

Related Jobs

Music Therapist
Singer

Earnings


Income of persons working full-time, 2006
Musicians and Related Professionals

Income per Week Number Share (%)
$1000 or more 833 33.7
$400 - $599 454 18.4
$600 - $799 349 14.1
$800 - $999 392 15.9
Less than $400 443 17.9


Copyright 2007 education.au

This information is based on the 2006 census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.


Earnings of persons working full-time and part-time, 2006
Musicians and Related Professionals

Employment Status Weekly Income ($)
Part-time 415


Copyright 2007 education.au

This information is based on the Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership survey conducting annually by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

How Much?

Related Courses

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Further Information

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra Pty Ltd
Innovation and Business Skills Australia
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (ACT)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (NSW)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (QLD)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (SA/NT)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (TAS)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (VIC)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (WA)
Musicians' Union of Australia - Hobart Office (TAS)
Musicians Union of Australia (Sydney Branch)
Musicians' Union of Australia (VIC)
The Queensland Orchestra

State Specific Information

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

Rehearsing a choral arrangement
Rehearsing a choral arrangement


Occupation Video - Orchestral musician

Video courtesy of ABC's Ace Day Jobs series

Footer Information