Professional singers are employed in every field of music. For every singing star of popular, classical, country and western, and musical comedy music, there are many more who work in choruses; who teach in churches, schools, and music conservatories; and who are employed by commercial advertising firms.
Employment opportunities exist in radio, movies, and television; on the concert stage, in opera, and in musical productions; in nightclubs; in elementary and secondary schools; and in colleges and universities. Many opportunities exist for part-time work in churches.
Anyone considering this field should be aware that few singers are able to secure full-time employment except in teaching. The time necessary for rehearsing and performing leaves little time for other part-time work, and many singers are unable to support themselves with singing alone.
Professional singers usually belong to some branch of the Associated Actors and Artists of America.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
The most job opportunities for performers are in New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, New Orleans, and Chicago. Nashville, Tennessee is one of the major centers of the recording industry and offers many opportunities for musicians of all types.
Singers engaged in a performing career work evenings and weekends and must usually travel a great deal. The work is not steady, and many careers are short because of changes in public taste.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
In addition to a good voice, a singer needs poise, physical stamina, an attractive appearance and stage presence, perseverance, and determination.
Those persons who wish to pursue a singing career should acquire a broad background in music including piano lessons (for music theory and composition) and dancing lessons, because singers are sometimes required to dance as well. Voice training should not begin until physical maturity is achieved, although young boys sometimes receive some training for church choirs before their voices change.
Singers who intend to perform classical music can take private voice lessons, enroll in a music conservatory, or enroll in the music department of a college or university. Those who attend a conservatory or a college also receive training in such music-related subjects as foreign languages, dramatics, history, and literature. In four-year programs, the student receives a bachelor of arts or science (in music), a bachelor of music, or a bachelor of fine arts degree.
Singers who plan to teach music must also meet state teaching certification requirements, and those who expect to teach at the college level usually need a master's degree or a Ph.D.
In the field of popular music, voice training is an asset but is not always necessary. Many singers in this field start singing with groups or in amateur contests and go on to employment with better-known bands or groups as they gain experience and popularity.
Potential and Advancement
This is a field where there will always be many more qualified applicants than there are job openings. Except for a handful of top stars in opera and popular music, the only full-time steady employment for singers will continue to be in teaching positions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the demand for singers will grow only by 3 percent between 2014 and 2024.
Income
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for all singers is $24.20.
