Keys to a future: Prospects for tertiary music graduates

Abstract

People are drawn to music for many different reasons and only a minority will choose to pursue it as a profession. For those who do, what employment opportunities are available and what can tertiary institutions do to give their graduates the best chance of success? The paper considers the diverse backgrounds, motivations and aspirations of tertiary music students and examines the nature of the career paths that are available. It focuses on changing employment patterns and shifting community expectations surrounding university education, noting some of the ways in which tertiary providers have sought to respond to this challenging environment. Approaches range from highly specific vocational preparation to a broader education that combines advanced technical and musical proficiency with intellectual agility and flexibility. The paper looks specifically at piano majors, reflecting upon the skills, understandings and attitudes that are needed in order to maximize career success. It makes the case that a committed and intelligent study of music can develop a wide range of generic skills that are relevant in a variety of personal and professional contexts. These may extend well beyond the discipline itself. Careers in the performing arts have always been demanding and competitive, and that is certain to continue. Many talented individuals will choose to follow a more certain or more lucrative pathway. But for those who simply cannot resist the call of music, we must assist them in reaching their optimum potential and provide them with the resources to make informed choices about their future.