Music Composer

Composers create musical works that can be performed by orchestra, voices, groups of musicians and soloists. These compositions can be in any style, including classical, rock, soul, rhythm and blues, pop, jazz, funk, blues, swing, big band, country and folk.

Some composers use electronic resources such as computers and synthesisers in their writing. Composers of any style of music have usually had instrumental training and many are performers.

They work long and irregular hours, writing, practising, rehearsing and performing. They may have to travel to publishers or to visit artists who are to perform their work. All composers have to travel to rehearsals and to hear performances of their work.

Composers are almost all self-employed and are paid a fee for the commissions they take on. The Musicians' Union and the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) suggest the sort of rates composers and musicians could be paid. These range from £300 per minute of composed music for choral work to up to £1,000 per minute for orchestral commissions.

A composer needs:

• outstanding musical talent
• to be totally dedicated to what is a very demanding profession
• good organisational skills
• to be flexible and prepared to work in a variety of contexts
• a love of music and performance.

It may take some time to become established as a composer. Composers at the start of their careers may benefit from bursary schemes, or may be appointed in association with an orchestra or a community music centre. It is important to have networking skills to build contacts and find out about job opportunities.

Composers of classical music need extensive formal musical education and training, often to postgraduate level. Most have learnt to play one or more instruments from an early age.

Useful qualifications include GCSEs and A levels in music, BTEC National Diplomas and degrees in music. These can be studied at universities, music conservatoires or colleges of further education.

Composers need to make a name for themselves by entering competitions, applying for bursaries and awards, and writing new works for amateur music societies. This may take many years and it can be difficult to maintain a successful career.

Some composers achieve great success and receive regular commissions. However, most go on to work in other areas of the industry, such as writing music for the media.

Further details