spec iv

• Composer


  • Writes and arranges music professionally using standard musical notations musicians can understand
  • Possesses unique ability to conceptualise, write, and arrange music
• Composer


  • Creates original music of different genres
  • Writes music for film scores, operas, ballets, stage productions, or television commercials
• Education/Expertise/Skills of a Composer

  • Becoming a composer requires extensive training and experience
  • Most often, they complete a postsecondary degree program in music composition
  • Focus studying on music theory, composition, and music interpretation
  • Must be able to play at least one instrument very well and has ability to write music notation for different instrument types and vocal ranges
  • Original lyrics and ideas, knowledgeable in music theory and notation, has good listening skills and perfect pitch
• Arranger


  Works closely with other musicians to create, alter, and produce musical pieces
• Arranger


  • Finishes, reworks, and adapts preexisting compositions by altering elements
  • Works in a number of professional industries, including live musics, musical theatres, record industries, films and tvs
• Education/Expertise/Skills of an Arranger


  • Requires a lot of knowledge in music arranging
  • Attending free music classes and learning the basics and the music theory
  • Schools: USTE, CHED, UP
  • Music ability (understanding), time management (prioritise tasks and responsibilities), technical proficiency (softwares and programs to edit and revise), creativity (develop original ideas, pieces, and arrangements)
• Session Musician

  Works mainly in the recording and broadcast industry recording commercial audio, film soundtracks, music for adverts, jingles, television signature tunes, incidental and radio music
• Session Musician


  • Backs up the main recording artist by playing an instrument(s) or contribute back up vocals for a track
  • They're not a permanent member of the band but sometimes invited to go on tour with the artist or band
• Education/Expertise/Skills of a Session Musician/Recording Musician

  • Advanced music skills
  • Professionally trained and gone through conservatory or music degree program
  • Perfectly perform the first time they see the music without prior rehearsal or sight of music
  • Brilliant at performing at least one instrument, perfect sight reader, adapt their playing style to suit the genre of music, working well with colleagues, self motivated, adaptable, reliable, flexible, and efficient
  • Music theory, history and development of music through ages, fundamentals and techniques of conducting, fundamentals of playing piano and managing a studio
• Producer/Record Producer


  • Responsible for determining and leading the creative and technical aspects of recordings for a single song, an album, or a soundtrack
  • Executive: secures and manages the budget while overseeing the entire project using an entrepreneurial approach
  • Record: work in the studio with artists, musicians, production music writers, and audio engineers to create and sonically shape the finished tracks
  • Vocal: coach singers to give their best performance, arrange music for vocalists, and sometimes even sing on tracks
  • Mixing engineer: works in a recording studio to get the best sound quality out of each instrument or voice on a track
  • Sound engineer: setting up microphones, choosing recording techniques, editing audio tracks and mixing them together
  • DJ: create and perform their own music, and also play other people's tracks in a live setting, responsible for choosing which record to play next, adjusting the sound and effects, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly during their set
  • Mastering engineer: take recorded songs and prepare them for distribution by adding effects to enhance their overall sound quality, adjust volume levels so songs will sound consistent
  • Soundtrack: create music for films and television shows, requires them to have an understanding of film editing techniques and how to write music that will fit within a certain genre or mood
• Producer/Record Producer


  • Oversees the artistic, financial, and technical demands of a recording project
  • Responsible for coordinating with everyone
• Education/Expertise/Skills of a Producer/Record Producer


  • Courses at music schools or universities
  • Great communication skills, ability to work under pressure, good organisation skills, computer savvy
• Sound Engineer

  Works in a recording studio to make high-quality music, sound effects, and speech
• Sound Engineer


  • Mixes recorded music and dialogue to make the final production for an advertisement commercials, television shows, or movies
• Education/Expertise/Skills of a Sound Engineer


  • Take college courses to develop their skills before looking for work
  • Level 2 diploma in sound and music technology, level 3 certificate in technical theatre: sound, light, and stage
  • Bachelor of fine arts (BFA) in sound design
  • Knowledge of music theory, able to work closely with others, time management, creativity
• Tour Manager/Concert Tour Manager


  • Helps to organize the administration for a schedule of appearances of a musical group (band) or artist at a sequence of venues (concert tour)
  • Main job: travel with musicians and crew members on touring journeys that can span the globe and last for months, make sure everything runs smoothly, key in planning merchandising, tour routing, catering, hospitality, etc.
  • Types: personal, business, road, tour, production
• Tour Manager/Concert Tour Manager

  • Arranges travel plans, coordinates with venues, manages money, facilitates media interactions, and scopes out local services at each tour stop
  • Takes care of nearly every aspect of the lives of musicians and crew while on the road, providing organisational, administrative, and boots on-the-ground support for the duration of a concert tour
  • Manages the tour's finances, keeping a close eye on the money that comes in and out to ensure everything stays within the tour accountant's budget
• Education/Expertise/Skills of a Tour Manager/Concert Tour Manager


  • Degrees in business communication, marketing music, or entertainment business
  • Excel with majors such as business, communication, or marketing
  • As stated by John Doe, a tour manager and industry expert, "having a strong foundation in these areas can greatly benefit those looking to pursue a career in tour management."
  • Full Sail University, University of Central Florida, Belmont University
  • Schedule management, personal management, budgeting, experience touring, proactive communication skills, problem-solving, multitasking and organizing, leadership, networking
• Composer salary can vary significantly depending on the type of music they compose, their skill level, name recognition, and the number of pieces they're able to produce in a set amount of time