[rs1sensen]

I'm currently a freshman music education major, and sax is my primary instrument although I also play flute and clarinet. I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for how to pick up a few extra bucks here and there as someone in my situation. I'll post a little bit about my job experience below, and I'm working the really obvious routes (contacting music stores to see if they have open positions, etc.), and would really like to work in something related to music as my goal isn't only to make money but also to build up experience and a resume. If anyone has any suggestions, please post!

I HAVE:
1. Taught private lessons.
2. Instructed marching bands.
3. Done photography (weddings, senior pics, events, etc.)
4. Been a graphic designer and have worked for multiple printing companies.
5. Managed a restaurant.
6. Studied with a semi-big name in the academic sax world (Trent Kynaston)

 

[Martinman]

Play gigs if you can find any.

 

[Agent27]

The best job I had in college was working in the music library in the school of music. You had to have Work Study in order to work there though.

 

[Carl H.]

Try to get a job in the theater or concert hall and learn about lighting and sound.

 

[hakukani]

What Carl said...although you might find a career there, instead.

Martinman, you might talk to someone like Al White over at the Musical Arts Center . I learned a ton being on the stage crew for the opera.

 

[Martinman]

Martinman, you might talk to someone like Al White over at the Musical Arts Center . I learned a ton being on the stage crew for the opera.

What kind of things did you learn?

 

[hakukani]

Never stand in the path of a Wagnerian Soprano when she needs to be on stage.

Never turn your back on a Tenor.

Be very afraid when you hear 'oops' in your intercom from the stage manager.

It takes almost exactly half the time to take a show out as it did to put it in.

Never step backward on the set without checking behind you.

When told to go to the loading dock, go up not out.

Dancers can trip over pieces of tape stuck to the deck.

If someone on stage yells 'heads!' don't look up--duck and cover.

Never play poker with the technical director.

You can do a lot of studying during Act II of 'The Marriage of Figaro'.

When running the light console for 'Das Rheingold', urinate beforehand, and don't drink coffee during the production.

Singers, dancers, and actors aren't shy about showing their body parts.

There's lots more I'm not able to tell here.

 

[Martinman]

Wouldn't the advise about Das Rheinhold hold true for the rest of the Rings cycle? Those suckers are looong. It took me a week and a half to listen to all four last month.

 

[hakukani]

Wouldn't the advise about Das Rheinhold hold true for the rest of the Rings cycle? Those suckers are looong. It took me a week and a half to listen to all four last month.

Rheingold is the only one with no intermission.

 

[Tim Price]

I'm currently a freshman music education major, and sax is my primary instrument although I also play flute and clarinet. I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for how to pick up a few extra bucks here and there as someone in my situation. I'll post a little bit about my job experience below, and I'm working the really obvious routes (contacting music stores to see if they have open positions, etc.), and would really like to work in something related to music as my goal isn't only to make money but also to build up experience and a resume. If anyone has any suggestions, please post!

I HAVE:
1. Taught private lessons.
2. Instructed marching bands.
3. Done photography (weddings, senior pics, events, etc.)
4. Been a graphic designer and have worked for multiple printing companies.
5. Managed a restaurant.
6. Studied with a semi-big name in the academic sax world (Trent Kynaston)

What you should do- is speak to some of the professors on the faculty.
Just ask the same question to them, you might get some things within your dept or chosen field you do not expect. Ask also your fellow students, maybe some that are seniors and see whats possible. There might be some _SUB_kinda teaching gigs at local music shops available as the " senior" class gets ready to take on new things.

ANOTHER HINT- Try checking out some cafe/restaurant gigs. Ok, it might be a bit of work to get 20 tunes down with a pianist or guitarist but....you might open a few $$ doors and learn something in the meantime.

But- check with some of your teachers and get a feel for the turf your on.
Good luck.

 

[ianhart]

Never stand in the path of a Wagnerian Soprano when she needs to be on stage.

Never turn your back on a Tenor.

Be very afraid when you hear 'oops' in your intercom from the stage manager.

It takes almost exactly half the time to take a show out as it did to put it in.

Never step backward on the set without checking behind you.

When told to go to the loading dock, go up not out.

Dancers can trip over pieces of tape stuck to the deck.

If someone on stage yells 'heads!' don't look up--duck and cover.

Never play poker with the technical director.

You can do a lot of studying during Act II of 'The Marriage of Figaro'.

When running the light console for 'Das Rheingold', urinate beforehand, and don't drink coffee during the production.

Singers, dancers, and actors aren't shy about showing their body parts.

There's lots more I'm not able to tell here.

I actually find that dancers can trip over NOTHING, and still blame it on you. Half the time, they get away with it, too.

Also, most actors have the maturity of a five year old, don't argue with them, they HAVE to be right!

 

[hakukani]

Also, most actors have the maturity of a five year old, don't argue with them, they HAVE to be right!

Actors are mannequinns with egos, for the most part. We just called them ' the meat'.

 

[vivace1]

While going through the many stages of my college career, I've done most of the above jobs (now I'm doing the library thing). Hands down, the best job is to wait tables at a decent restaurant. Why? Lots of money for 15-25 hours a week. The biggest problem with relying on gigging through school is that it doesn't pay. Work-study gigs, teaching private lessons, and all these other "experience-builders" are all fine and good, but my perspective was the cozier financial cushion I had, the more practice time I had. Not glamorous, but the bottom line is that you would make twice the money waiting tables at a nice restaurant for half the time input compared to many of these other options. I'm putting in forty hours a week now in the library for less pay than 20 hours at my old restaurant. (I keep doing it because of benefits, and I'm getting older...a crusty 27.... and need to start working on the "stable thing") That said, long term library work isn't bad because it is stable, carries benefits, you take no work home, and you have lots of empty time during the day to find silent ways to practice.

 

[Carl H.]

While going through the many stages of my college career, I've done most of the above jobs (now I'm doing the library thing). Hands down, the best job is to wait tables at a decent restaurant. Why? Lots of money for 15-25 hours a week. The biggest problem with relying on gigging through school is that it doesn't pay. Work-study gigs, teaching private lessons, and all these other "experience-builders" are all fine and good, but my perspective was the cozier financial cushion I had, the more practice time I had. Not glamorous, but the bottom line is that you would make twice the money waiting tables at a nice restaurant for half the time input compared to many of these other options. I'm putting in forty hours a week now in the library for less pay than 20 hours at my old restaurant. (I keep doing it because of benefits, and I'm getting older...a crusty 27.... and need to start working on the "stable thing") That said, long term library work isn't bad because it is stable, carries benefits, you take no work home, and you have lots of empty time during the day to find silent ways to practice.

What was your major?

 

[Dr G]

As a music ed major, have you considered contacting the schools in your area to see if they have (or can create) a position as assistant to the music teachers?

 

[vonbraig]

I played theme parks through the summer in college and the money was ok but the bands were really great. Some of the players went on to big things.
I don't know if those gigs exist any more though.

 

[RootyTootoot]

Actors are mannequinns with egos, for the most part. We just called them ' the meat'.

How dare you, sir!!

My "Pan" made the public weep!!

 

[Carl H.]

bed-pan, that is!

 

[vivace1]

What was your major?

Religion BA, Music BA, Saxophone MM, Info Science MS.

Looking back at the original post, I see that he said he was aiming for resume building and job-relevant experience. In that case, I take back the waiting tables thing. Gig, teach, teach summer music camps, work at the music library. If money wasn't a factor, I'd do that.

 

[Pete Thomas]

and would really like to work in something related to music as my goal isn't only to make money but also to build up experience and a resume. If anyone has any suggestions, please post!

How about busking?

Get paid to practise!