The
following information was compiled from the Berklee College of
Music. To find out more about their programs and majors, visit their
site at http://www.berklee.edu. Click
on one of the links below to learn more about each career listed.
Composer
A composer creates instrumental pieces, either to stand alone or
to be combined with lyrics. They may also work as film composers, scoring music to enhance videos or films.
Jingle Writer - radio and television
A jingle writer is a songwriter/composer/lyricist who specializes
in writing music for radio and television commercials. They are responsible for representing their client musically as directed.
They must be skilled in all styles, and be strong arrangers able to compose well for a very short form.
Lyricist
Individuals who are talented in expressing themselves with
words can develop careers writing words to songs. A pure lyricist would create only the words, and may work as a team
with a music composer, or may create lyrics for a previously written piece of music.
Producer/Songwriter
Producer/Songwriters develop their own material from start to
finish. They write the material, develop a concept for how they would like it arranged and recorded, hire musicians and
engineers, and oversee the recording and production of the material. They have the final say on the development of their
material.
Performing Songwriter
Performing songwriters create and perform their own music.
They write both lyrics and music and seek to find success as the performer of their material. Performing songwriters may work as
a solo act, or as a leader of a group featuring their material.
Songwriter - staff, freelance
Staff Songwriters are hired by record companies, music publishers, producers, recording groups. The staff writer's
services are reserved exclusively for this employer. Most staff writers receive a weekly salary, which may be treated as an
advance on the writer's future royalty earnings. Or they may be
contracted to write "work-for-hire" pieces that are owned and
copyrighted by the employer. Early in a career a writer may have no option other than a "work-for-hire" position, but should
take advantage of any opportunity to move to a more attractive long-term strategy to earning a living as a writer. Competition for
staff songwriter positions is tough.
Free-lance writers may work on their own, or under a part-time
contract with various companies, either under a "work-for-hire" contract or a songwriter agreement.
Other Jobs
Stage Musicals/Librettist
Theme Specialist - film and television
