Musical career

[kimi.]

Hi guys,

I am grade 8 at the piano, and always dreamt of being a concert pianist, but I have never being virtuosic and haven't got the spark needed for such profession. Now, at the age of 16 I need to think of a career path to follow (since I will be applying to university in 1 year's time). Music is very important to me and I cannot conceive myself studying anything other than this 

I also enjoy composing, the study of harmony, etc. Does anyone have any suggestions for a career path related to music which I could focus on?
Can you be successful and happy having a musical career other than performing?

Many thanks 

[richard black]

Can you be successful and happy having a musical career other than performing?

Yes, especially on the piano - there's loads of 'behind-the-scenes' work accompanying opera and ballet rehearsals, accompanying students and so on. You can also work in music education (instrumental teaching, classroom teaching, outreach work attached to orchestras or opera companies etc.). There's also performing stuff that doesn't demand the same technical standards as a solo career, for instance being part of the band for a musical - most of those include at least one keyboard player. Plenty of people enjoy being in any of those careers.

[nanabush]

Kimi, go for it!  I just started music at university this year, and the amount of different jobs I'm being exposed to are insane!

Apparently, if you are good enough at singing, a vocal coach is a very respectable job.

[carmtee]

Hmm maybe Hollywood can find a job for you. I know they pay nice. You can do audio editing or that sort. A career behind the scenes isnt that bad. Nana's right.

[lostinidlewonder]

If you want to go into a music career you should encourage yourself to also be interested in teaching. That is a staple income for most musicans. Full time concerting is very tiresome (and your concerting product has to offer something that isn't offered by others in your area [if the area has no music performance then the worlds your oyster!]) and not many people can get proper management for it, living off composing is a very rare situation to be in.

[brahmslover]

Adding more to the suggestions above, if you enjoy music theory, you can be a theorist and become professor of music theory (or study composition). You need to get into a reputable theory graduate program (like Havard) and be a true scholar. Then after you are done with your thesis, you can find jobs at most universities with a few connections. Good luck finding the right career choice!

[pollydendy]

I know this is late  for you, but you still have time to decide.  You can teach privately, play for  a church (study organ in college as well,if you want to do that) play for weddings and funerals, accompany singers and other musicians, including during allstate competitions,  accompany at a dance school,teach school-with a degree in music education, play and sing on a cruise ship, or at various restaurants, compose, get your PHD in theory and teach theory  at college level or do the same with composition.   Or you can study music and play because you love it and it makes you happy, and do something else for money.  Take an aptitude test at college.  they are free, and will give you an idea of other things you would be good at.
If you want to make your living doing music, you will probably do more than one thing.I play in a trio and a quartet, play at a restaurant, and teach, and i have accompanied a choir as well. I also have a different profession that pays better than any of those.  I do music for the love of music , and my  other work  is something I deliberately chose for its portability, and the high demand (and decent wages).