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Musician resume examples & templates

Understanding the job market

Your portfolio, leap the applicant tracking system hurdle.

Musicians have recently experienced a big shift in the ways they are able to perform live and even get together with other musicians to play, putting a serious crimp in their livelihoods. The good news is that musicians like you are using your creativity to make a living . And there are many ways to keep your profession in tune, starting with a musician resume that sings. You know how to engage an audience, and you’ll need to use that skill to amp up the interest in hiring you. With your talents and Resume.io’s layout templates and builder tool, you’ll be well on your way to that next gig.

Inside this guide, you will find musician resume examples and expert advice to help you:

• Get your resume into the hands of human by overcoming the software systems designed to rank candidates
• Understand the purpose of each section of your resume
• Focus on the skills that will get you the most notice
• Create an eye-catching, but easy-to-read design with tips, hints and sample layouts

Read on, but also take some time to view our 300+ resume examples and writing guides for more ideas.

What does a musician do?

Obviously, musicians make music, but you know that making music encompasses a wide range of talents, skills and even career directions. You write, perform and record music, but you may also teach or tutor others. Your music may be played by your band, written as a soundtrack for a movie, TV show or video game, or be a commercial jingle. Your main goal is to entertain through music.

As a musician, you may be vagabonds who travel in touring bands in front of live audiences or you may work mostly in recording studios. You may play one or more instruments, sing or compose in any one of hundreds of genres. You might work as a solo artist or in a band, choir or orchestra. There is no single job description for a musician.

The market for musicians is expected to be mostly stagnant in the upcoming decade, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. You may have to cobble together several different jobs or be on the lookout at all times to make your living solely as a musician. But being a musician means more than just standing on a stage in front of an audience.

Your creative thinking will come in handy here, too, since there are dozens of jobs you qualify for with your musician’s talents. Some of them require a music degree, but many do not. With pluck and determination (and a great resume), you should be able to pursue your musical passion and pay the bills.

Musicians may work in a number of related fields. According to the Berklee School of Music, these are the top 10 careers in the music business :

• Music producer
• Recording engineer
• Session musician
• Artist manager
• Tour manager
• Music teacher
• Booking agent
• Music publicist
• Music arranger

Choosing the best resume format for a musician

You’re in a creative field and your resume format should reflect that creativity – within reason. You don’t want to distract from the content of your musician resume by making your text difficult to read by, say, using a musical staff as the background. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t add a music note as a design flourish in your contact information, but musician resume layouts should follow the general guidelines for all resumes. 

As you design, remember to ask yourself: What is the purpose of my musician resume? The answer, of course, is to get the gig! That means grabbing the attention of prospective employers without making them work to read your relevant information. 

Check out resume.io’s creative resume templates for some customizable ideas.

Your biggest selling point is your musician’s talent, so you will want to have a portfolio of your work ready for hiring managers to hear. Definitely link to your best work from your musician resume. Once again, your goal is to make it as easy as possible for a hiring manager to get all the information necessary to make a decision.

You should customize the samples you direct a hiring manager to so that they hear the music that best represents the type of work they need. That means updating the link on your musician resume for each gig.

How to write a musician resume

When writing your musician resume, you should follow a standard structure with the following sections:

• Profile (or summary)
• Employment history
• Skills section

Music uses a common language and structure so that everyone in the band knows what their role is and can easily understand the entire piece. Job hunting and resume writing also use a common language and structure. 

Because you may be looking for many different types of jobs, think of each section as a module you can pop in and out to customize for each job listing. 

Before you get the job, or even the audition, you have to convince the hiring manager to bring you in. Your resume, in combination with a winning cover letter and your portfolio, give you the chance to make your case.

Resume.io is a leading global provider of resume examples and writing guides for all professions. Review some of our additional guides for further inspiration:

Personal Trainer

Yoga Instructor

Profile summary sample for a musician CV: Sing your own praises

Your resume profile, or summary, gives you five lines to let loose with a little improvisation. It is here that you let hiring managers know who you are, your process and how you approach music and working in sync with other musicians.

Without stepping over the boundary into bragging, you should highlight your proudest achievements as a musician. This is a great place to tailor your resume for each different type of opportunity. Choose an anecdote or achievement that shows off the talents that best conform to the job listing.

This may not be the first section a recruiter will read, but it may make this difference between getting the interview or ending up in the circular file since it offers a glimpse of you as a professional person.

Here are median salaries for musicians, according to Payscale :

• Music composer: $50,088
• Music producer: $50,944
• Guitarist: $57,000
• Singer: $40,958
• Pianist: $35,375

The best advice we can give is to get past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) by customizing your musician resume.

ATS software is used by most companies to sort and scan resumes. In addition to inputting your data into the human resources system, the ATS ranks your resume by scanning for keywords and phrases pegged to the job. Although there’s no absolute way to ensure you will rank high enough to beat the ATS, you can increase your chances greatly by following a few simple steps.

First, analyze the job listing and note any skills and requirements. Second, cross-reference those words and phrases with our resume. Make sure any skills you have that are mentioned in the listing are also in your resume. Use the exact phrasing when possible. Third, use both acronyms and the full names of organization, certificates, etc., just to make sure the ATS catches them. 

Don’t force in keywords where they don’t fit organically. Recruiters can tell if you are trying to “stuff” your musician resume to try to beat the ATS. 

Below you will find an example of a musician resume profile. 

Passionate and experienced musician with several years of experience in orchestra, band and theater performances. A skilled guitar and bass player, adept at writing and arranging music. Experienced in digital composition and recording processes. Bringing forth a self motivated attitude and a lifelong love and commitment to music.

Employment history example: In harmony with your next job

Depending on the structure of your career, this section may take on very different roles. If you have had a series of permanent jobs, then use a reverse chronological order format to describe each gig. If, however, you are a performing musician, the New England Conservatory recommends that you divide your experience into categories such as full roles, partial roles, festivals, etc. You do not need to list every performance, so go with your most prestigious and most recent. Also, remember to tailor which performances you choose to list based on the job you seek.

No matter which type of resume employment history is best for you, you should use strong, descriptive language to explain your role and how each job enhanced your skills.

Below is one type of musician resume example for an employment history section:

• Played as a lead guitarist and songwriter for six years.
• Practiced guitar daily and trained with finger strengthening exercises.
• Helped to find, plan and organize gigs.
• Communicated with clients regarding their needs for events.
• Planned and scheduled band meetings and took notes on important matters.
• Worked to nurture a strong morale among band members and utilized excellent collaboration skills.

Skills section sample: getting in tune

Your skills section gives an overview of your talents and abilities. All jobs require a blend of hard skills, or the specific learned skills you need to be an excellent musician, and soft skills, or the organization and interpersonal skills you need to function in a workplace and with other people. 

This section is a courtesy for hiring managers: It gives them a quick way to see whether your skills match the job description, so make sure they do! Limit yourself to 5-10 of your top matching skills.

Soft skills to consider:

Excellent communication skills, a motivated attitude, confidence, reliability, teamwork and concentration 

Hard skills to consider:

 Songwriting, knowledge of music theory, any instruments you play and knowledge of scales

How do you decide?

First, you make a “master list” of all your skills. Every single one. Even if you think it’s obvious. Sure, almost everyone knows how to use Microsoft Office products, but maybe that’s very important at a certain job and not everyone is an Excel expert. Plus, this exercise gets your memory flowing and will help you remember things you may want to go back and add to your employment history. The other benefit of a Master List is that you can hold onto it and add to it as your skills grow.

Then, go back to the job listing and check all the skills and attributes your prospective employer seeks. Remember the ATS. The more your skills match to the ones in the job listing, the more likely you will be to leap that hurdle.

Here’s a basic sample of a musician’s resume skill section you can adapt to your own abilities:

• Music Performance Skills
• Music Composition Skills
• Advanced Communication Skills
• Music Technology Skills
• Adaptability
• Live Production Skills
• Detail-oriented
• 2001-2005 Hunter College, Bachelor of Music in Theory, New York, NY
• 1997-2001 Oxford Academy, High School Diploma, Cypress, CA

Musician resume education section example: Your academic chops

Education sections in resumes vary in importance from musician to musician. Some people are mostly self-taught, some let their portfolio speak for themselves, so how much emphasis you want to place on this section will depend on what type of job you’re targeting. If it’s a very formal one or connected to academia, education may be more important than usual.

Not all musicians have formal training, but if you do, this is the place to list it. If you have taken music classes in high school and you are just beginning your career, definitely put those classes in. Any type of music certification should also be named in this section.

A musician resume may include sections not typical of other careers. Here are some sections to consider adding: 

• Principal teachers
• Master classes
• Affiliations
• Conductors you have worked with
• 2001-2005 Hunter College, Bachelor of Music in Theory NY, NY
• 1997-2001 Oxford Academy, High School Diploma Cypress, CA

Key takeaways

• A musician resume should follow the standard format, although you can get a little more creative with your profile and design.
• Your career can take many paths, so make sure you tailor your resume for each one (and it’ll help you pass the ATS).
• Consider adding specialized sections as appropriate.
• Use Resume.io, the builder tool, and recruiter-tested free resume templates to create an impressive, expertly-designed and field-tested resume.

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates

• Career Blog

Musician Resume: Examples and Writing Tips for 2024

As a musician, having a well-written resume is just as important as mastering your instrument or vocal skills. A musician resume serves as your professional introduction to potential employers, booking agents, or event organizers. It is an essential document that showcases your experience, skills, and expertise in the music industry.

Definition of a musician resume

A musician resume is a document that summarizes your career achievements as a performer, composer, or music teacher. It includes details such as your education and training, performances, collaborations, record releases, and other notable accomplishments that can help you stand out in a competitive industry. The resume can also contain a list of musical skills, such as playing various instruments, performing in different genres, or reading musical notation.

Importance of having a well-written musician resume

In a highly competitive industry such as music, having a well-written musician resume can make a significant difference in getting hired or booked for gigs. A professional, polished, and informative resume can showcase your talents, experience, and skills in a clear and concise manner, making it easier for employers to evaluate your candidacy. It can also help you stand out among other candidates who may have similar qualifications, but not as well-presented in their resumes.

A musician resume can also help you save time and effort when seeking new opportunities. Instead of creating a new bio or artist statement for every application, you can have a standard resume that you can easily customize for different purposes. This can help you focus on the creative aspects of the music-making process and reduce the stress of self-promotion.

A musician resume is a crucial tool that can help you advance your music career and achieve your professional goals. In the following sections, we will explore some examples and writing tips that can help you create a compelling and effective musician resume.

Key Components of a Musician Resume

When it comes to creating a musician resume, there are key components that should be included to showcase your skills, experience and potential as a professional musician. These components include:

Contact Information

Your contact information should be prominently displayed at the top of your resume. Include your name, address, phone number, and email address. It’s important to have a professional-looking email address that you check frequently.

Professional Summary/Objective Statement

Your professional summary/objective statement should be a brief, three to four sentence statement that highlights your skills, experience, and career goals. It should effectively communicate your value proposition to potential employers.

Skills and Abilities

In this section, you will want to highlight your specific skills and abilities. This can include your ability to read music, familiarity with various music genres, experience playing specific instruments or singing, as well as any other relevant skills you have acquired.

Education and Training

Your education and training should also be included on your resume. This can include any degrees or certifications you have earned, training programs or workshops you have attended, and any notable teachers or mentors who have influenced your music career.

Work Experience

Your work experience should be presented in reverse chronological order, with your most recent or current position listed first. Include the name of the employer, your job title, and a brief description of your responsibilities and accomplishments.

Music Performances

This section of your resume should highlight your experience performing music, including any gigs, concerts, or other performances you have participated in. It’s important to provide specific details about the performance, such as the date, venue, and type of music played.

Awards and Recognitions

Any awards or recognitions you have received for your music performances or compositions should be listed in this section. This can include awards from competitions, festivals, or other musical events.

Professional References

Finally, you may want to include professional references on your resume. These can be people who have worked with you in the past, such as a music teacher, mentor, or fellow musician. It’s important to ask for their permission before including their contact information on your resume.

When creating your musician resume, take the time to consider each of these key components, and think about how you can highlight your unique skills, experience, and potential as a professional musician. With a well-crafted resume, you can increase your chances of landing your next gig or opportunity in the music industry.

Types of Musician Resumes

When it comes to creating a resume as a musician, there are three primary types to consider: chronological, functional, and combination. Each of these formats can be useful depending on the musician’s experience, employment history, and goals.

Chronological Resume

The chronological resume is the most commonly used format across all industries. This type of resume lists a musician’s work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent position first. The goal is to showcase a logical progression of employment and highlights accomplishments and skills attained throughout that time.

Musicians with a steady progression of employment or notable gigs may benefit most from a chronological resume. The format allows the reader to understand the breadth and depth of the musician’s work history and experience.

Functional Resume

A functional resume focuses on a musician’s skills and experience instead of the order of their employment history. It highlights the musician’s skills, accomplishments, and experience rather than their work history.

This resume type is particularly useful for musicians who may have gaps in their employment, freelancers or musicians who have completed various projects or gigs. In a functional resume, the emphasis is on what the candidate has accomplished rather than where and when they accomplished it.

Combination Resume

The combination resume is a balance between the chronological and functional resume. It highlights skills and experience while still listing employment history in reverse chronological order. This type of resume is ideal for musicians with a great deal of experience but who may also have gaps in their employment.

This format allows a musician to present their skills and accomplishments in a way that highlights their qualifications for the job. By doing so, musicians can overcome any potential obstacles that may arise due to gaps in their work history.

Choosing the Right Resume

Ultimately, the decision to choose a particular format will depend on your experience, goals, and intended purpose. Musicians with a strong, consistent employment history may benefit most from the chronological resume. Those with gaps in their employment, freelancers, or those with a variety of gigs or projects may find the functional or combination formats more beneficial.

Whichever format you choose, remember to tailor your resume to the job for which you are applying. Emphasize the skills and accomplishments that are most applicable to the position to which you are applying. Doing so will provide you with the best opportunity to showcase your talent and land your next gig.

Musician Resume Writing Tips

When it comes to crafting your musician resume, it’s important to remember that one size does not necessarily fit all. Tailoring your resume to fit the job description can give you an edge in the hiring process. Consider tweaking your resume to include specific skills and experiences that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

In addition to tailoring your resume, it’s important to highlight your relevant experiences. This will catch the attention of potential employers and show them that you have the skills and experience necessary to excel in the position. This can include information such as past performances, recordings, and any other significant musical achievements.

Including keywords and phrases can also boost your chances of being called in for an interview. Review the job posting and make note of any specific phrases or requirements mentioned, then incorporate those into your resume wherever possible.

Providing concrete examples of achievements is another key aspect of creating a successful musician resume. This can include things like winning awards, performing at festivals, or releasing successful albums. Employers want to see that you have a track record of success in the music industry.

Last but not least, it’s important to keep your resume concise and clean. A cluttered or disorganized resume can quickly turn a potential employer off. Aim to keep your resume under two pages and use a clear, easy-to-read format.

By tailoring your experience to fit the job description, highlighting relevant experiences, including keywords and phrases, providing concrete examples of achievements, and keeping your resume concise and clean, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a winning musician resume.

Examples of Musician Resumes

When it comes to crafting a winning musician resume, it’s important to know which format will best showcase your skills and experience. Here are three examples of musician resumes to give you a sense of the different formats:

1. Sample Chronological Musician Resume

Highlights:.

• Organized and experienced musician with a focus on jazz piano performance
• Perform regularly at clubs, private events, and festivals
• Capable of leading a band, collaborating with other musicians, and teaching music

Work Experience:

• Jazz pianist and band leader, Bradley’s Jazz Club (2012-present)
• Music instructor, XYZ School of Music (2010-present)
• Freelance jazz pianist and band leader for various events and festivals (2008-present)
• Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, XYZ University (2008)
• Master of Music in Jazz Performance, XYZ University (2011)

2. Sample Functional Musician Resume

• Highly skilled guitarist and songwriter with experience in a variety of genres
• Ability to arrange and compose original music
• Strong background in music production and recording engineering
• Music production and recording software (Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live)
• Arranging and composing original music
• Guitar playing, with proficiency in rock, blues, jazz, and classical styles
• Guitarist and songwriter, The XYZ Band (2016-present)
• Music producer and recording engineer, ABC Recording Studio (2014-present)
• Freelance musician and session player for various projects (2012-present)
• Bachelor of Music in Music Production and Engineering, XYZ University (2012)

3. Sample Combination Musician Resume

• Talented pianist and vocalist with expertise in both classical and contemporary genres
• Strong organizational and leadership skills
• Experience teaching music and leading ensembles
• Director, XYZ Youth Symphony (2018-present)
• Piano and voice instructor, Music School ABC (2016-present)
• Pianist and vocalist, The XYZ Band (2015-present)
• Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, XYZ University (2015)
• Master of Music in Voice Performance, XYZ University (2017)

By exploring these different resume formats, you can find the one that best showcases your skills and experience, and helps you stand out from the competition. Remember to tailor your resume specifically for the job you’re applying for, highlighting the relevant skills that match the job description, and using clear language that helps you communicate effectively with potential employers. Be concise and strategic in your resume writing, and you’ll increase your chances of landing the gig of your dreams.

Resume Formatting and Design

Your musician resume should not only showcase your skills and experience, but it should also be visually appealing and easy to read. Here are some tips on how to format and design your resume:

Choosing the Right Font and Size

Firstly, choose a font that is easy to read and professional-looking. Avoid using fancy and decorative fonts as they may distract the reader from the actual content of your resume. Stick to traditional fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial.

The font size should be between 10-12 points for the main body of your resume. You may use a slightly larger size for your name and contact information.

Incorporating Design Elements

To make your resume stand out, you may choose to add some design elements such as borders, shading, or color. However, keep these design elements minimal and tasteful. The purpose of your resume is to showcase your skills and experience, not to distract the reader with flashy design elements.

Creating a Visually Appealing and Easy-to-Read Resume

Be sure to use headings and bullet points to make your resume easy to read. Use bolding and italics sparingly to draw attention to important information.

Consider using a consistent format throughout your resume. For example, you may choose to list your work experience in reverse chronological order with each job followed by a bullet point list of your responsibilities and achievements.

Make sure to leave enough white space on your resume to avoid clutter and make it more visually appealing.

Convert to PDF

Once you have completed formatting and designing your musician resume, convert it to a PDF. This ensures that your resume will appear the same way to prospective employers no matter what device or software they are using.

By following these tips, you can create a visually appealing and easy-to-read musician resume that showcases your skills and experience to potential employers. Good luck!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to writing a musician resume, there are several common mistakes that should be avoided at all costs. These mistakes include:

Typos and Grammatical Errors : Any sort of mistake in your resume can be detrimental to your chances of getting hired. Make sure to proofread your resume multiple times to catch any typos or grammatical errors.

Being Too Generic : Generic resumes can easily get lost in the shuffle. Make sure to tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for.

Being Too Wordy : Your resume should be concise and to the point. Avoid using overly complicated language or going into too much detail about irrelevant experience.

Not Tailoring the Resume : One of the most important things you can do when writing a musician resume is to tailor it to the specific job you are applying for. Use keywords and phrases from the job description to show that you are a good fit for the position.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create a resume that stands out from the rest and increases your chances of getting hired.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In this section, we’ll tackle some of the most commonly asked questions about musician resumes.

How long should a musician resume be?

Your musician resume should ideally be one page long. Remember that your resume is essentially your calling card, so you want to make sure that it’s concise and impactful. That being said, don’t sacrifice important information just to fit everything onto one page. If you have extensive experience or relevant qualifications, it’s better to go onto a second page than to leave out essential information.

Do I need a cover letter?

While a cover letter isn’t strictly necessary when applying for a musician position, it can certainly help your chances. A cover letter gives you the opportunity to expand on your qualifications and experience, and to provide the hiring manager with a more in-depth look at who you are as a musician. Additionally, a well-written cover letter can help you stand out from other candidates who may not have taken the time to include one.

Should I include my photo on the resume?

Including a photo on your musician resume is generally not recommended. While it may seem like a good way to add a personal touch to your application, it can actually work against you. First and foremost, hiring managers are more interested in your qualifications and experience than what you look like. Additionally, including a photo could potentially open you up to discrimination based on age, race, or other factors that have nothing to do with your qualifications as a musician. To avoid any potential bias, it’s best to leave your photo off of your resume.

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Music Resume Example & Writing Guide

The music industry can be a tough one to break into, and having a well-crafted music resume can make all the difference in securing you a gig or the job of your dreams. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or someone who’s just starting out, an effective resume is crucial to showcase your skills and experience.

In this article, we’ll show you how to create an engaging document that emphasizes your key strengths and properly presents them to potential employers. From highlighting your musical education and training to showcasing your performance experience and repertoire of original work, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to write a music resume!

Key Takeaways

The most commonly used music resume format is the chronological one , with a clean and professional one-page layout .

Mandatory sections of your resume include contact information, a resume objective or summary, work experience, education, and skills.

When highlighting your professional experience, you should focus only on relevant projects or performances and list them in reverse-chronological order.

Besides listing your abilities in the skills section of your resume , you should mention them throughout the document, ideally in your resume objective, resume summary, and work experience section .

What is the Right Format to Use for a Music Resume?

Before you start haphazardly adding content to your musical resume, you should know that there are rules when it comes to it. There are proven ways to prioritize and order information in your document to ensure that it contains all the skills and accomplishments you’re proud of.

These arrangements of information are called resume formats , and these are the three most popular ones:

The chronological resume format highlights your latest work achievements and education while listing the rest in descending order. Recruiters are used to this format, and it’s ATS-proof, which makes it the most prevalent out of the three.

The functional resume format makes your skills section the main part, concealing the candidate’s lack of work history. This makes it perfect for entry-level candidates.

A combination resume format blends the previous two formats to emphasize skills and support them with professional accomplishments. It’s best suited for the music resumes of seasoned candidates.

Resume Layout

A resume layout determines what your document looks like , and it’s one of the features that are supposed to grab the potential employer’s attention right off the bat.

For starters, most candidates should fit the contents of their musician resume onto one page . You can do that by cutting out the details that aren't relevant or important or by using bullet points instead of long blocks of text .

To make your resume clean and readable, you should have ample margins and white space between sections. Moreover, you want to pick a professional font (e.g., Arial or Garamond) and an appropriate font size hierarchy. Section headings should have a 14–16 pt font size, and regular text should be 10–12 pt. 

What Sections Should a Music Resume Contain?

Mandatory Sections

There’s certain information that recruiters expect to see on every music resume. That’s why there are mandatory sections , such as:

Contact information

Resume objective or summary

Work experience

Optional Sections

After adding these, you can personalize your document with optional sections , like:

Certifications

Courses and classes

By following these lists, you’ll make sure you don’t forget to include any crucial bit of information, as this could get your resume discarded right away. However, if you want to write your resume worry-free, you can always check out our resume builder !

It’s a feature-packed yet user-friendly piece of software that lets you start with a professional preset and simply add your information to pre-designated places. Not only that, but you can change the entire layout—from font to colors—in one click. Needless to say, this will save you hours of precious time.

Music Resume Template

Name and Surname

Phone number: 000-000-0000 | Email: [email protected] | Location: City, State

[Adjective] [your job title] with [years of experience, if applicable] in [your area of expertise, if applicable] looking for a [position] job at [company name]. Eager to apply [relevant skills] gained through [work/volunteer/other experience] to help [company name] [mention what you can do for the company].

Work Experience

Most Recent/Current Job Title Company City, State [Start date] — [End date]

For recent jobs, use 5-6 bullet points to list your top achievements and responsibilities

Use action verbs to make your responsibilities and achievements stand out

Add numbers to quantify your achievements

Previous Job Title Company City, State [Start date] — [End date]

Oldest Job Title Company City, State [Start date] — [End date]

For older jobs, use 2-3 bullet points to list your top achievements and responsibilities

[Degree] in [Major]

[University/college name]

[Start date] - [Graduation date]

Soft Skills

Hard Skills

Additional Sections

Add any relevant additional sections (languages, licenses, publications, hobbies, etc.)

Resume templates

Music resume contact information.

Your music resume starts with the simplest section—the one containing your contact information. This part goes at the top of your resume and should include the following details:

Contact Information Mandatory Details

Job title (this should match what’s listed in the job ad)

Phone number

Email address

Contact Information Optional Details

Location (this part is optional and should only include your city and state)

LinkedIn profile (optional but highly recommended)

This is what this looks like in practice:

Contact Information Example

David Halverson

+ 954 731 3195

[email protected]

Fort Lauderdale, FL

linkedin.com/in/davidhalverson11

You should pay special attention to this part to ensure no typing errors . Otherwise, recruiters might not be able to contact you.

On a final note, make sure that you’ve included a professional job title and email. If you’re still using that immature email address you created a decade ago, it’s time to make a new one.

Music Resume Objective or Summary

Resume objectives and summaries are the opening paragraphs and recruiters’ first contact with who you really are. Make these introductions catchy and brief to hook the readers , and they’ll want to read more about you.

If you lack work experience, you’ll want to focus on your education, skills, and ambition, which is the goal of a resume objective .

If you’re a seasoned professional, you should write a resume summary to concisely encapsulate your career by highlighting your most prominent achievements.

Musician Resume Objective

Check out the following music resume objective samples, starting with a good one:

Good Example

“Driven and passionate cellist looking to join the NY Radio Symphony Orchestra. Studied at the distinguished Juilliard School under the tutelage of Yo-Yo Ma. Received Avery Fisher Career Grant in recognition of exceptional dedication to the art. Seeking to push the boundaries of artistic expression and deliver uplifting and inspiring performances.”

And now, let’s see a bland example:

Bad Example

“Skilled cellist with a passion for making music looking for her first real gig.”

The first objective is written by a candidate with a clear goal and strong qualifications . The second one is vague and uninspiring, giving recruiters no substantial information to work with.

Musician Resume Summary

If you have a lot of experience under your belt, make sure to entice recruiters with your most distinguished awards and outstanding accomplishments . Here’s a good resume summary example:

“A highly accomplished composer looking to join Vivian Beaumont Theater. Recipient of several awards and fellowships, including the Guggenheim Fellowship and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Music. Professional accomplishments include premieres at prestigious festivals and concert halls around the world, including Lincoln Center and the BBC Proms.”

However, if you omit any concrete results, you’ll end up with something like the following example:

“Competent and experienced composer looking to join a capable team to produce challenging, inspiring, and thought-provoking music.”

This resume summary might as well have been written by an entry-level candidate, making it vastly inferior compared to the previous example.

Music Resume Work Experience

The work experience section of your musician resume is often the most important one , and recruiters generally focus on it. So, what do you include in this section?

The answer might be much more simple than you think. If you’re creating a performance resume, you’ll want to highlight your performances . And if you’re a composer, your work experience section should feature your original work.

General Guidelines

Here are a couple of guidelines to help you get the most out of this section:

You should list your experiences in reverse-chronological order , putting the most recent ones on top.

Be honest about your accomplishments. Any attempts at “embellishing the truth” will likely be seen through and damage your credibility in the process.

Tailor this section to the position that you’re applying for. Instead of making a general resume with a variety of experiences, highlight only those that recruiters would want to see.

Performances

If you want to showcase performances on your music resume, you should state the years when these happened, your roles, and the organizations where you performed .

If you’re in music performance, here’s a resume template example of a work experience section:

Orchestral Experience Example

Orchestral Experience:

2018–Present First Violin, New York Philharmonic

2021 Guest Concertmaster, Boston Symphony Orchestra

2016–2018 Principal Second Violin, Los Angeles Philharmonic 

2014–2016 Associate Concertmaster, Seattle Symphony Orchestra

2009–2014 Section Violinist, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Original Work

If you’re a composer , for example, you should include the following details for each original piece:

Name of the composition

What instruments it’s for

Creation date

Premiere date

Premiere location

(Optional) Notable awards and achievements

Now let’s see an example:

Compositions Example

Compositions

August 2022 Sonata for violin and piano

Premiered October 13, 2022, at the Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.

January  2021 Into the Night for concert choir

Premiered March 11, 2021, at the Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL

May 2019 Symphony No. 1 for orchestra

Winner, Rochester Symphony Orchestra Composition Competition

Premiered November 23, 2019, at the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

No Professional Music Experience

If you haven’t had any formal jobs as a musician, you can highlight your freelance work, gigs , compositions, and similar endeavors . Make the section clean and professional and showcase your experience as a musician, even though it’s not “official.”

Here’s an example:

Freelance Musician Example

Freelance Musician

2021–Present

Performed as a soloist at the Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, CA

Toured with the indie band “The Wallflower” as a keyboardist and backup vocalist and played at various venues, including The Bowery Ballroom in New York City

Composed and produced 5 songs that garnered more than 1000 downloads on Soundcloud.

Music Resume Education Section

Not every musician has an academic degree. Still, you should list yours if you have it since it adds trustworthiness to your skills . This section is all the more important if you’re new to the field and lack professional experience.

To adequately show your education to recruiters and potential employers, you should include the following details:

Education Mandatory Details

Your degree

School’s name and location

Years in school

(Optional) Notable achievements relevant to the position that you’re applying for

Let’s put that into practice with this example of a music resume education section:

Education Section Example

Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance

USC Thornton School of Music, Los Angeles, CA

Awarded the Thornton Faculty Award for Excellence in Piano Performance

Winner of the USC Concerto Competition

Studied one semester abroad at the Royal Academy of Music in London, UK

Music Resume Skills

Music is a complex field where skills can vary a lot depending on the position that you’re going for. Broadly speaking, hard (job-specific) skills can be put into three categories :

Performance skills

Teaching skills

Technical skills

On top of that, recruiters usually look for valuable soft (interpersonal) skills in candidates. To find out which ones they favor, you can research the position, the job ad, and the organization.

Once you have a list of preferred music skills, add it to the skills section of your resume and mention some of your vital abilities throughout the rest of the document . By including the most impactful skills next to relevant accomplishments in your resume summary, resume objective, and work experience section, you’ll make them more credible.

Performance Skills

Performance skills that you can add to your resume include:

Specific instrument skills

Band skills

Opera skills

Concerto skills

Symphony experience

Teaching Skills

You can also showcase your proficiency in teaching skills , such as:

Music history

Music theory

Professional development

Instruction skills

Assessment skills

Technical Skills

Some of the technical skills you could add are:

Ableton Live

Track mixing

Music production

Last but not least, here are some desired soft skills that would add value to your music resume:

Communication

Collaboration

Adaptability

Music Resume Optional Sections

Optional sections are a great way to spruce up your music resume with valuable information that doesn’t belong in any of the mandatory sections.

Highlighting certifications on your music resume is one of the best ways to add trustworthiness to your abilities . Their nature can vary a lot depending on your area of specialization. Here are some examples:

Music teacher certification from an accredited institution

Certification in music production or audio engineering

Certification in specific music software or technology

Certification for particular instruments

Music business or management certification

Courses/Classes

Adding relevant coursework or classes taken can be a great way to supplement your formal degree or make up for a lack of it . These details become all the more important if you’ve been taught by some of the most prominent professionals in the industry. In that case, you should mention their names as well.

Awards emphasize your dedication to the craft and show that you’ve been recognized for your skills. You should add them to your resume if they are relevant to the specific position that you’re applying for.

Should You Submit a Cover Letter With Your Music Resume?

Cover letter templates

Unless the job ad specifies otherwise, you should always submit a cover letter with your music resume. This is because the mere act of sending a position-specific cover letter shows diligence and commitment.

You can use those 3–5 paragraphs of a letter to:

Go into detail about your skills and achievements

Establish a personal connection with the recruiter

Include a call to action at the end

Expert Tips for Creating a Music Resume

Let’s end this comprehensive guide on a high note. Here are a few final expert tips to help you polish your musician resume to perfection:

You should always submit your resume as a PDF unless specified otherwise. That way, you’ll ensure the layout of your document doesn’t change on different devices.

Try to skim through your resume in 10 seconds or less to see which details you’ll spot since recruiters sometimes spend that much time before making their initial decision.

Unless you have decades of experience, your resume should be one page long .

Proofread your resume before submitting it to ensure there are no mistakes or spelling errors. You can ask a friend or colleague to give it a look, too.

If you’re an entry-level candidate, you could include a compliment from a notable professional in the field (e.g., a director or a music teacher) instead of an award.

Job-Winning Music Resume Example

Closing Thoughts

Complimenti!

You’re well on your way to becoming a resume-writing virtuoso in addition to being a musical prodigy. All that’s left now is to grab a pen and paper or fire up your laptop and get to practice.

Of course, you can always go back to our resume-building tool to speed up the whole process. Whichever path you choose, expect to be called for an interview regarding your dream job sooner rather than later!

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