PEDAGOGY
6 SPCCAA
It can be fun to take those career path tests, to see what professions you are most suited to, at least according to some computer
algorithms. But for some professions, like being a musician, those tests are quite unnecessary.
In truth, most musicians I meet have never needed career advice, as music is one of those professions where evidence of aptitude and
expertise must show itself and be cultivated at an early age. According to psychologist K. Anders Ericsson, some 10,000 hours of
deliberate practice must have been clocked by the age of 18, for musicians or athletes to achieve “expert” level.
As someone who was never on the receiving end of any meaningful career advice, I have nevertheless given more than my fair share
of advice to the next generation in my capacity as a music director over the past decade.
The world of classical music has been evolving quicker than ever during this time, and I find myself learning something new about my
profession every time I give advice to an aspiring musician.
What music graduates do
The idea of being a musician can mean very different things to people from different backgrounds, cultures and generations. The
father of legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein initially rejected his son’s pursuit of a career in music, as he considered life as a
musician to be only slightly better than the life of a beggar.
Admittedly though, touring the world performing the Tchaikovsky concerto in a fancy dress or classy tuxedo, and becoming rich
and famous, is not always the reality of what it is like to be a performing musician.
My first task, therefore, is to show how many diverse career possibilities related to music there are. From my personal network
of friends and colleagues who hold a music degree, there are the soloists and orchestral musicians, but also music therapists,
arts administrators, musicologists, critics and journalists; DJs, film scorers, song writers and record producers; as well as music
teachers at schools and private instrumental tutors.
Warren Lee (1994)
Why you need to
think carefully before deciding
you want to be a musician
This article appeared in Young Post, South China Morning Post on 3 March 2015.
