Guides and Handouts

Guides and Handouts

student working outside

We’ve put together some resources that will help you understand and create the materials you’ll need as you enter your professional life.

Writing Guides

Marketing Fundamentals

Great Resources for Everyone

Other

 

Career Development Materials 

Click below to find what will best suit your needs as a professional musician.

Orchestral Musician

If you are considering the orchestral performance path, consider whether or not you have the following items under your belt. Most rising orchestral musicians are also freelancers. Take a look at the freelance musician professional development guide.

Bio
Orchestras may request a bio for artist features in programs, websites or promos.

Curriculum Vitæ
While you probably won't submit a CV for anything, compiling your professional history over time makes updating résumés easier.

Resume
Your resume should stand out as much as possible and be tailored to whatever you’re applying for.

Headshots
High-resolution headshots are a must for websites, press kits, programs, and more.

Useful Resources

Composer

If you’re a student composer, your professional goals may include developing a clear visual brand and gathering all the necessary materials in order to market yourself as your pieces are performed and your works reviewed. The following guides can help.

Website
Your website will serve as a hub for audiences to see who you are as a composer, the services you offer, and to hear any existing works.

Branding
Your brand will apply to anything you publish, including the appearance of your website, your press kit, the voice used in social media, and more.

Bio
You’ll need a bio for your website and for any programs that feature you.

Curriculum Vitæ
If applying for a doctorate, you will likely need a CV. Regardless, it’s a good idea to maintain a draft of one to keep track of your professional history.

Headshots
High-resolution headshots are a must for websites, press kits, programs, and more.

Resume
Your resume will need to be tailored to whatever it is you are applying for.

Grant Writing
Sooner or later, you’ll likely write a grant to fund a special project. The key to writing a successful grant is starting early.

Press Kit
Your press kit should be updated and readily available on your website for any potential journalists or bloggers wanting to write about you. Don’t miss an opportunity to get reviewed.

Useful Resources

Chamber Ensemble

As a chamber ensemble, you should be making as many opportunities as possible to get hired for your next gig. That starts with an online presence and other materials listed below.

Audience Engagement
Read this document to learn the basics of communication and marketing. How will you attract and maintain an audience?

Branding
Your brand will apply to anything you publish, including the appearance of your website, your press kit, voice used in social media, and more.

Website
Your website will help potential clients get to know what your ensemble is about and to decide whether your music is appropriate for their venue.

Headshots
High-resolution headshots are a must for websites, press kits, programs, and more.

Bio
You’ll need a bio for your website and for any programs that feature your ensemble.

Press Kit
Your press kit should be updated and readily available on your website for any potential journalists or bloggers wanting to write about you. Don’t miss an opportunity to get reviewed.

Curriculum Vitæ
While it won’t be used directly for applications, it’s a good idea to keep a comprehensive document of your performance experience.

Grant Writing
Sooner or later, you’ll likely write a grant to fund a special project. The key to writing a successful grant is starting early.

Useful Resources

Teacher

Cultivating a studio requires marketing your value as a teacher to parents, teachers, and students in your area. Consider using the tools below as you work on increasing your studio size or reputation.

Bio
A well-crafted bio will be necessary to show potential students what you have to offer and who you are as an educator.

Branding
Define who you are as a teacher in order to show students and their parents what you have to offer.

Curriculum Vitæ
Compiling your professional history over time makes updating bios and resumes easier.

Headshots
High-resolution headshots will help you appear more professional, and will help parents get a sense of who you are. A friendly appearance helps establish trust.

Resume
You might include a resume on your website, showing how you are qualified as a teacher.

Website
You’ll need an online hub for potential students and parents of students to learn what you have to offer.

Useful Resources

Freelance Musician

Most musicians, whether or not they hold a steady job, are also freelancers. Consider having the materials listed below to help you establish an identity as a performer, and to encourage contractors to hire you if they have not met and heard you before.

Website
Your website will help potential clients and collaborators see who you are as a professional and how you sound.

Headshots
High-resolution headshots are a must for websites, press kits, programs, and more.

Branding
Your brand will apply to anything you publish, including the appearance of your website, your press kit, voice used in social media, and more.

Bio
You’ll need a bio for your website and for any programs that feature you. It’s a chance to show not just your qualifications, but also your personality.

Press Kit
Your press kit should be updated and readily available on your website for any potential journalists or bloggers wanting to write about you. Don’t miss an opportunity to get reviewed.

Curriculum Vitæ
While it probably won’t be used directly for applications, it’s smart to continually update a comprehensive document of your performance experience.

Useful Resources

Administrator

If you’re pursuing a career as an administrator, you’ll spend a lot of time constructing resumes and cover letters, and networking with individuals who can help you find a job that is a good fit for you.

Resume
As you seek jobs, your resume will need to stand out as much as possible and be tailored to whatever you’re applying for.

Cover Letter
A cover letter is your chance to make key points you can’t on your resume, and to show that you’ve researched your potential workplace

Bio
In the job application process, a well-crafted bio will be necessary for your online presence, whether it’s on your website or LinkedIn.

Headshots
High-resolution headshots can help you make a good impression on potential employers.

Curriculum Vitæ
While you probably won’t directly submit a CV for any applications, compiling your professional history over time makes updating resumes easier.

Branding
Defining your brand means knowing what you have to offer on a daily basis and delivering. This applies to your day-to-day interaction as a professional.

Website
You might not need a website, but you’ll definitely want a professional representation of yourself online so potential employers can learn more about you.

Useful Resources

  • Seth Godin's Blog: Posts with advice on relations and leadership in a workplace and more

Vocalist

When audition season arrives, you’ll be too busy to prepare. Consider whether you need the following materials, and have them prepared well in advance.

Bio
You’ll need a bio for your website and for any programs that feature you. It’s a chance to show not just your qualifications, but also your personality.

Website
Your website will help potential clients and collaborators see who you are as a professional and how you sound.

Headshots
High-resolution headshots should show your personality as a performer. They’re a must for websites, press kits, programs, and more.

Branding
Your brand will apply to anything you publish, including the appearance of your website, your press kit, voice used in social media, and more.

Resume
As you apply to take auditions, you want your resumeto highlight your most relevant performance experience and portray you as a rising or established professional.

Press Kit
Your press kit should be updated and readily available on your website for any potential journalists or bloggers wanting to write about you. Don’t miss an opportunity to get reviewed.

Curriculum Vitæ
While it won’t be used directly for applications, it’s a good idea to keep a comprehensive document of your performance experience.

Useful Resources

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