I remember the day I decided. We were driving home from a rehearsal and my mother told me with a knowing smile that a career in music was a “real thing” and I recall the feeling – a little jolt of electricity and excitement popped into my heart.
Music had always been a big part of my life, so pursuing it as a career path just felt natural.
I found myself equally fascinated by both the idea of playing extraordinary music everyday and exploring the full range of possibilities within the career itself. As I dreamed, I knew I wanted to teach, to play and perform, to record, to form ensembles, to orchestrate concerts, and to have my own thriving studio – maybe even my own music school! And this was even in the days before there were so many incredible online opportunities. A career in music – specifically a freelance career – struck me as an endless adventure.
And it is.
No two days are alike. It ebbs and flows with the seasons of life and there is as much opportunity as you have energy and time to pursue!
So, how do you know if a freelance career in music is the right choice? And what are the components of a flourishing freelance career? What are the pros and cons? Let’s take a look at this fascinating vocation and explore the many possibilities.
Components of a Freelance Career in Music
All musical careers will have some degree of freelancing work involved, even for those who pursue a full time orchestral position or a tenured professorship. For the full time freelancer though, the day to day reality is very much like a patchwork quilt.
There are many pieces that come together to form a rewarding and sustainable “portfolio” career. Training, experience, gifting, and interests all strongly influence specific niche choices within this occupation. In a field that changes rapidly, there are so many possibilities that it’s hard to imagine a comprehensive list.
These are a few potential areas to consider, while dreaming up what your musical “quilt” might look like!
Instruction – online and in-person private lessons, adjunct teaching, online courses, chamber ensemble coaching, workshops and masterclasses, classroom visits and presentations, summer festivals, camps and classes, podcasting, vlogging, part-time classroom teaching
Performance – recitals, concert series participation, chamber ensemble performance, orchestral playing, wedding and event music, church services, collaborative work
Recording – studio recording, recording for ensemble-promotion, running a YouTube channel
Writing – blogging, guest contributor writing, e-books, developing course materials and other helpful resources
Other – composing, arranging, directing ensembles, instrument promotion, restoration, and repair
Pros & Cons of a Freelance Career in Music
Arguably, there are some uncertainties around the stability and sustainability of freelance work in music. However, for a focused and innovative self-starter, the endless creative outlets of the field far outweigh the cons!
Pros:
Creativity
In the early days of my career, while still in music school, the concept I liked most about freelancing was how much it allowed me to dream. My mind never tired of coming up with new ideas on what avenues I would explore. I can honestly say that many years into it, that sentiment is the SAME! Inspiration comes at varying times and places and through different experiences – constantly energizing me to reach new goals and cultivate new prospects. As a freelancer, it is completely possible (and important) to develop multiple areas of interest at the same time.
Accessibility
You can work on developing a freelance career at any time. Throughout life, depending on changing circumstances and priorities, there are opportunities to do as much or as little as you please. Even while studying for my master’s degree, a harpist friend and I formed a flute and harp duo. We enjoyed performing countless concerts, weddings, events, and recorded several times together.
In addition to performing, there are also ways to dive into teaching at any time – even early on. College-level (even advanced high school) flutists can tutor young students and begin to understand how to instruct private lessons. Later in life, depending on your needs – personal or financial – there are ways to develop parts of your freelance career that suit your situation.
Scheduling
A huge perk of freelancing is scheduling flexibility. Depending on the areas you choose to focus on, there is freedom to set your own schedule and hours. There were times in life that I scheduled students all afternoon and into the early evening, while taking performance “gigs” on the weekends. In any spare time – Ha! – I would rehearse with chamber ensembles and work towards other long range goals.
Now, as a busy mother, juggling many schedules and responsibilities, I am fortunate to be able to teach a few select students in my home, online, and adjunct teach while my children are in school – only scheduling performances when they are convenient. In freelancing, you can fill your schedule to the max or be more selective. It is possible to pursue jobs that you are passionate about, while turning others down that do not particularly excite or energize you, in order to give attention to higher priorities.
Artistry
Especially in regards to programming recitals and chamber music concerts, it is so rewarding to have the liberty to choose music that is both personally inspiring and delightful to audiences. So many times performing in larger ensembles, I felt obligated to spend time learning music that I did not love. It is an entirely different sentiment to be working towards a concert that I personally helped program and arrange. Laughter and creativity sparks fly during chamber concert planning sessions. It is a huge benefit and blessing to have that artistic freedom.
Variety
Freelancers thrive on variety. Having worked a few summer jobs behind a desk, I knew I would never enjoy the monotony of that situation. I appreciate the immense array of directions that a freelance career affords me. I enjoy the people and different personalities I interact with regularly. These include other teachers, musicians, dear friends and performance collaborators, and of course my beloved students and their families.
I love the challenge of prepping a student for an important audition or recording, counseling parents and students with questions regarding progress and long range goals, as well as diving into rehearsing for my own performances. Days with brain space totally dedicated to practicing and learning new music energize me just as much as time spent on writing, studio development, and marketing. And the list goes on… If variety excites you, that is a good indicator of a successful music freelance career.
Cons:
Reliability
There can be some inconsistency in the stream of opportunities and income, which requires planning. It is not always possible to determine the order or the timing that opportunities will arise. If you are able to recruit your own clients, students, and performance opportunities, that will help bring consistency to your freelance income schedule. This also gives you the ability to set your own fee schedule and to turn jobs down that do not properly compensate. This should be a goal that every freelancer works towards. At first, there is some pressure to take every job that comes along in order to pay bills. Over time, as you gain stability in your career, there is more flexibility and less pressure.
Benefits
As for all sole proprietors, the responsibility of securing health insurance and other benefits in addition to figuring out tax details can be tricky in the music world. In addition, there is not a tremendous amount of business training in music school to help students anticipate these challenges. It is vital to talk with other full time freelancers, of all disciplines, to understand what options are available.
Multitasking
It can sometimes be a challenge to juggle multiple projects and commitments at the same time. Managing a full and complex schedule makes it difficult to focus on both the musical and artistic elements of a project and managing the business side of things as well. This requires diligent planning, scheduling, and hard work – including having the self-discipline to practice and continue developing as a musician. A freelance career does not work without dedicated practice and determination to stay at the top of your craft. For certain personalities, this comes easily. With others, it requires a bit more diligence and commitment to make it work. On the whole, most freelancers can agree that there are simply not enough hours in the day to pursue every corner of this multifaceted career. But that doesn’t keep us from trying!
Pursuing a Freelance Career in Music
Along the journey, there have been some who cocked their heads in surprise at the idea and desire to pursue a freelance career in music. The seemingly most stable (and frequently traveled) path as a musician is to seek something full time, like performing professionally with an orchestra. Although that is certainly an exciting and solid career choice, it never seemed like a good fit for me. I was destined to piece together my quilt. : )
Above all, freelancing has given me the freedom to prioritize my family and motherhood – and in that – I’ve never lost the joy and adventure of music.
One music advisor told me wholeheartedly, “If you have a career as a freelancer, you’ll always be happy. It’s a really good path.” When I reflect on what he said, I see there was some wisdom there, as there continues to be another adventure to dream about, a new objective to pursue, and creative possibilities over every horizon.
Dream on!
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
Be sure to share your stories in the comment section below. Every freelance career looks different! For more music and flute related topics, please check out the rest of the blog and my favorite flute resources page.
