The Undergraduate Music Degree: Artistry or Employability?

Abstract

Each year thousands of students graduate with music degrees and have a diverse range of career paths to choose from. As career trajectories of students diversify to meet current market demands, the range of skills they require also expands. Many students will engage in portfolio careers that necessitate skills outside of music. This research investigates what students perceive the purpose of a music degree to be and what skills they expect to need in their careers. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents believe that their schools have a responsibility to train them to be both highly skilled musicians and employable musicians.

Keywords:

• Portfolio careers
• music entrepreneurship
• arts entrepreneurship
• career development
• career preparation
• arts alumni
• music careers
• music curriculum