Music Composer

Composers

Composers create musical works that can be performed by orchestra, voices, groups of musicians and soloists. These compositions could be in any style, including classical, rock, soul, rhythm and blues, pop, jazz, funk, blues, swing, big band, country and folk.

Some composers use electronic resources such as computers and synthesizers in their writing. Those with large budgets employ typesetters. Composers of any genre of music have usually had instrumental training and many are performers.

They work long and irregular hours, writing, practising, rehearsing and performing. They may have to travel to publishers or to visit artists who are to perform their work. All composers have to travel to rehearsals and to hear performances of their work.

Composers are almost all self-employed and are paid a fee for the commissions they take on. The Musicians' Union and the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) suggest the sort of rates composers and musicians could be paid.

A composer needs:

* outstanding musical talent
* to be totally dedicated to what is a very demanding profession
* good organisational skills
* to be flexible and prepared to work in a variety of contexts
* a love of music and performance.

Composers of classical music need extensive formal musical education and training, often to postgraduate level. Most have learnt to play one or more instruments from an early age.

Useful qualifications include GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades in music, BTEC National Diplomas, Scottish National Certificates and degrees in music. These can be studied at universities, music conservatoires or colleges of further education.

Composers need to make a name for themselves by entering competitions, applying for bursaries and awards and writing new works for amateur music societies. This may take many years and it can be difficult to maintain a successful career.

Some composers achieve great success and receive regular commissions. However, most go on to work in other areas of the industry, such as writing music for the media.

Information from www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/ Crown Copyright

For more information:

British Academy of Composers and Songwriters

The recognised trade association for the UK songwriting and composing community.

http://www.britishacademy.com

Scottish Music Centre

www.scottishmusiccentre.com

Society for the Promotion of New Music (SPNM)

SPNM - promoting new music - aims to serve, inspire, educate and bring together composers, performers and audiences. It promotes the creation, performance and appreciation of new music through a range of unique opportunities and services.

Founded in 1943, spnm is a membership organisation for anyone with an interest or involvement in new music. In particular spnm is committed to finding the best of the next generation of composers and has launched the careers of many of the UK's leading composers. From catwalk to concert hall, working in theatres, galleries, night-clubs, cinemas and even in power stations, spnm seeks to showcase their talents in ever-broader and more exciting environments.

www.spnm.org.uk

Incorporated Society of Musicians

The ISM offers a range of free advice for those interested in a career in music. Their most comprehensive overview is a booklet entitled Careers with Music which can be viewed or downloaded online (PDF) at http://www.ism.org/publications/careers.html.

It provides a brief summary of possible career paths within the profession as well as useful advice on the various options and training available. It ends with a useful index of contacts.

www.ism.org

Musicians Union

www.musiciansunion.org.uk 

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