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Manhattan School of Music is very proud to be among a handful of
schools with an office whose focus is the career preparation of
entrepreneurial musicians. The Office of Career Development is dedicated
to helping emerging musicians establish a pathway toward their career
goals, both while they are in school and after graduation. The office
provides information on opportunities ranging from short-term employment
to full-time positions and provides services that include résumé
advisement and assistance with the creation of effective publicity
materials. The Office of Career Development is here to help students
fill their career ‘toolbox,’ not just with theoretical
concepts, but with practical knowledge that can be immediately incorporated
into their career strategy.
The services and resources found on this page include:
Career Guidance
Printed Resources
Guest Speakers and Workshops
Competitions and Festivals
Job Books
Teacher Referral Service
JOBank Newsletter
Credential File Service
Musician Referrals
Course Work
Note to International Students
Career Guidance
The Career Development Office provides valuable advice to students
on a daily walk-in basis on practical matters such as the creation
of effective résumés, cover letters, and other publicity
materials. In addition, students and alumni can schedule individual
appointments with Ms. Ar Adler,
associate director of career development, to discuss a wide range
of issues. The office distributes pamphlets and brochures covering
such topics as concert venues and series, area orchestra lists,
teaching contact lists, and composers’ resources. Information
about additional or further study is also available. Beyond the
Career Development Office, members of the School’s faculty
are valuable sources of career wisdom and firsthand knowledge of
how to build successful and fulfilling careers. Students are encouraged
to engage their teachers in conversations about the music industry
as issues and questions arise.
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Printed Resources
The office has prepared and distributes a series of information
packets that addresses the special needs of musicians. This series
is divided by area (classical instrumentalist, jazz musician, vocalist,
teacher, et al.) and includes résumé, bio, and cover
letter examples to illustrate various desirable formats for presenting
credentials effectively to potential employers. Our office has a
collection of music industry publications, self-help books, and
other resource materials on file for reference. In addition, books
on these topics are available in the Library.
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Guest Speakers and Workshops
Manhattan School of Music hosts several talks and discussions on
various aspects of pursuing a career in music. The Office of Career
Development organizes career awareness events during which alumni,
faculty, and invited guest professionals share their music industry
experiences and expertise. In addition, the associate director provides
the Filling Your Career Toolbox in-class lecture series
which addresses the creation of discipline-specific job-search materials
for singers and orchestral musicians, among others. Other departments
and programs supplement this series with lectures, many of which
are open to all students.
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Competitions & Festivals
The office maintains comprehensive information of local, regional,
national, and international competitions and festivals. Copies of
brochures and application forms are made available to students and
alumni, and reference brochures are always on file for research.
In addition, the School coordinates on-campus recruiting visits
from many summer festivals and apprenticeship programs each year.
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Job Books
Our Performance, Teaching, and Non-Performance Job Books are a
well-stocked resource of job openings for students and alumni. The
Performance Job Book includes mainly openings for chamber ensembles
and small jazz combos, with occasional requests for soloists. A
wide selection of church positions is regularly available: music
directors, organists, section leaders, and soloists for religious
ceremonies are often in demand. Teaching opportunities range from
jobs in community music schools in the tri-state area to full-time
college/university teaching positions nationwide. Non-performance
jobs range from office work (often in music-related fields) to child
care. Information about internships is also available.
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Teacher Referral Service
Every year, the office receives hundreds of requests for private
teachers. Those who wish to teach can fill out a form, submit a
résumé, and have their names added to the lists mailed
out to callers who request them. Students and alumni wishing to
register for this service can download a Teacher Referral Registration
form, by clicking here.
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JOBank Newsletter
Our JOBank Newsletter lists over 100 positions in performance,
education, and arts administration each month. Alumni will find
it a convenient and valuable resource for job hunting.
The JOBank Newsletter is posted regularly for use by
Manhattan School of Music Alumni through our Online Alumni Community.
Note: Once you have signed-in to the Online Community, click the
"Job Listings" link on the left-hand side of the page.
To sign-in to the Online Community or Register for the first time,
click
here.
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Credential File Service
Letters of recommendation, concert programs, and reviews that support
applications for employment can be kept on file to be copied and
mailed out by the office on request. A fee of $10 payable by check
to Manhattan School of Music is required to activate a credential
file. The subsequent cost of distributing a credential is $4 per
address requested. To download a Credential File Registration Packet,
click
here.
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Musician Referrals
In addition to providing opportunities for students to negotiate
and procure their own performance work, the office is also called
upon to recommend musicians for services throughout the year. These
are usually last-minute situations or those that call for special
repertoire; they range from small ensembles for high-profile corporate
functions to chamber music series for private clubs. Musicians are
chosen according to their reputations for performance excellence,
reliability, cooperation, and eagerness to work. Students and alumni
can download an Ensemble
Referral form or a Musician
Referral form.
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Course Work
In addition to the services listed on this page, the School offers
enrolled full-time students a variety of courses in the nonmusical
aspects of a career: The Business of Jazz (JC2000); The Business
of Orchestral Music (OP2991-2); and The Business of Music (PT1250).
In addition to these three, Introduction to Performance (VX0900),
The Audition Package (SP1070), and Jazz Musician as Educator (JC2360)
cover many nonmusical aspects of a career as well.
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Note to International
Students
U.S. Government regulations limit and/or prohibit employment of
students who are in this country on certain types of visas. Consult
the International Student Advisor
in the Office of Student Life for these guidelines.
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