Making an impressive CV is a necessity for getting your foot in the door and landing an all-important interview. One of the best ways to succeed is to study a music CV example that incorporates the best practices. Then, you’ll know what to include, which format to use, and how to avoid common mistakes. Also, personalize the included CV tips and apply the relevant knowledge to your situation for best results.
If desired, print off the sample CV or save the PDF file to your computer and refer back to it as you work through each part of your own CV.
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Concertmistress in the Charlottesville Orchestra who is also the first-chair violinist. Dedicated to diligently practicing all pieces to ensure they are ready for upcoming performances, listening to the concerns of fellow musicians and the conductor, and upholding the orchestra’s professional reputation and image. Experienced in orchestral and quartet settings, and lead master classes for high school students each summer. Consistent team player who interacts well with other orchestral members to resolve issues and maintain consistent performance quality standards.
- -Strong desire to perform all pieces of music to the best of my abilities and achieve that aspiration through carefully planned practice sessions and a constant dedication to excellence. -Goal-oriented mindset, especially when learning new pieces or developing musicianship techniques. -Fluent speaker and writer of the Italian language. -Skilled in musical composition, ear training, and sight-reading. -Competent communicator, particularly when interacting with other members of an orchestra or teaching difficult technical concepts to fellow musicians.
- Perform orchestral works for audiences ranging from 50-10,000 people.
- Collaborate with other musicians to meet minimal performance standards and achieve a cohesive sound.
- Lead a 100-person orchestra made up of string, wind, brass, and percussion instruments.
- Assist the conductor with the goal of guiding musicians through complex pieces.
- Serve as a proper role model for other musicians to follow.
- Participated in the string section of the orchestra.
- Set a good example for fellow members of the orchestra by practicing sufficiently and always being ready to perform.
- Taught other musicians how to successfully play some of the more difficult parts of assigned pieces and recommended practice standards to follow.
- Represented the orchestra during a European tour.
I teach master classes for high school violin students every summer. I play at the Music Resource Center’s annual fundraising gala. I am a full member of the Central Virginia Orchestral Society. I go to local schools and talk about my music career to encourage students to potentially pursue their own music performance goals.
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Music CV Questions
You begin with a professional summary that describes who you are and what you do. Follow that with a list of your skills, including hard and soft skills. List your work experience in reverse chronological order. Create bullet points that specify some of your responsibilities and achievements for each position you held. Add a section for your education and degrees, and wrap it all up with hobbies and interests. Take a look at our music CV sample for examples of each section.
Five to eight skills are sufficient for a CV. The quality of the skills is more important than the quantity. It’s a good idea to mention technical, skills such as transposition and arranging, as well as soft skills that are imperative to music-making, e.g. collaboration and discipline.
You can tailor your skills to the job description. For example, if you are applying to an elementary music program, put down your Orff and Kodály training. However, if you have interest in a position with a symphony orchestra, leave that off and instead add your excellent sight-reading abilities.
As you can see from our music CV sample, it is not required to list references on your CV. Hiring managers expect that you will bring references with you to an interview. The exception is when a job description specifically asks for them. If this is the case, you need to add them.
When it’s necessary to include references, they can go at the bottom of your CV in their own section. Write the name, job title, and phone number of each person. Two or three references is usually enough.
Stellar CVs that catch the eye of hiring managers are clean, clear, and easy to read. Use bold headers for each section and bullet points to make your lists line up nicely. Include important industry buzzwords that signal you are a professional musician, such as rehearse, practice, polish, and perfect.
Since you are in an artistic field, a little color or graphics can also set your CV apart. Judicious use of color gives a creative edge to your document and adds personality. Don’t go overboard, however; the primary goal of your CV is to convey important information. Study our music CV sample for more ideas on how to use color.
List your jobs and performing experience in reverse chronological order. Keep the most important gigs only. There’s no need to mention playing banjo for Grandma Jo’s 100th birthday bash. Write the position you held, the name of the performing organization, and the years you were there. You may put teaching experience here, as well. Both private studio lessons and school positions are welcome. If you need additional help to get your CV off the ground, try our resume builder and create a personalized CV in minutes.
Music CV Must-Haves
What Does a Music Professional Do?
The music sector encompasses many types of jobs. Although some relate to musical performance, others focus on music education and training. Furthermore, there is also a less performance-driven side of the music industry involving logistical and administrative responsibilities, such as booking and promoting gigs, serving as a sound engineer, and even pitching certain songs to appear on television commercials. In general, this is an artistic-oriented segment of the workforce that requires the utmost professionalism and a willingness to collaborate with others on a constant basis.
In addition to highlighting work experience, a CV should also draw attention to the training you have received in preparation for your eventual music career, including internships and private lessons. The music CV example can help you determine how to showcase your musicianship and associated skills to impress the people in charge of hiring and indicate you are a strong candidate.
Tips for Creating a Great Music CV
Use the following tips to ensure your music CV is adequately representative of your abilities:
– Carefully follow presentation and format guidelines to fit best practices.
– Don’t forget to mention all related experience that relates to teaching music, even if it only relates to things you do on an occasional basis.
– Include private music lessons or music-specific summer camps when applicable.
– When referring to interpersonal communication skills, relate them to a team-oriented mindset.
– Don’t list high school music classes on your CV unless they make up your entire educational background.
– Keep in mind that a music professional should clearly state relevant work history that shows a commitment to excellence in the field without overlooking associated experience, such as internships and private lessons.
– Always list dates correctly on your CV, and don’t manipulate them to conceal gaps in work history. Instead, include any such gaps, and don’t use your CV to reveal why you left particular positions. Be prepared to talk about that subject during your interview, but don’t bring it up on your own.