6 answers
Caden
Student
Knoxville, Tennessee
1
Question
Asked
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How do you stand out as a musician in such a competitive field?
I play piano and want to pursue a career in church ministry.
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6 answers
Ernesto Longhin
Psychologist
10
Answers
Mendoza, Mendoza Province, Argentina
Updated
Ernesto’s Answer
I understand that in your country there are important centers of study and improvement in the field of music.
The piano requires a lot of dedication and time. If you are pursuing a career as a piano musician, then I suggest you start exploring scholarships from prestigious academies such as the Juilliard Music School. Ask for advice from professional graduates of piano-oriented music careers. They will give you a realistic look at what the world of music is like. Maybe you are a fan of a piano musician, and he can also guide you. From my experience, musicians are open and generous with advice. If you are thinking about church ministry, then ask for advice from pianists who have experience in that field.
I insist on something: be it piano, guitar, or any musical instrument, it requires practice, perseverance, and constancy that you will have naturally if you really like to play the piano. Don't play the piano to stand out. Just taste the piano; enjoy it. That will lead you to play every day. Standing out is something that will come naturally. I end with this analogy. Whoever studies acting will be wrong if they study to win an Oscar. The award, the recognition, comes by decanting. Please note that no one is denying that you dream of being an outstanding pianist. All I have meant is that standing out comes naturally.
The piano requires a lot of dedication and time. If you are pursuing a career as a piano musician, then I suggest you start exploring scholarships from prestigious academies such as the Juilliard Music School. Ask for advice from professional graduates of piano-oriented music careers. They will give you a realistic look at what the world of music is like. Maybe you are a fan of a piano musician, and he can also guide you. From my experience, musicians are open and generous with advice. If you are thinking about church ministry, then ask for advice from pianists who have experience in that field.
I insist on something: be it piano, guitar, or any musical instrument, it requires practice, perseverance, and constancy that you will have naturally if you really like to play the piano. Don't play the piano to stand out. Just taste the piano; enjoy it. That will lead you to play every day. Standing out is something that will come naturally. I end with this analogy. Whoever studies acting will be wrong if they study to win an Oscar. The award, the recognition, comes by decanting. Please note that no one is denying that you dream of being an outstanding pianist. All I have meant is that standing out comes naturally.
Mr. Longhin,
Thank you so much for your input and advice! It is really helpful and encouraging. The reminder to keep the main thing the main thing, and that is the enjoyment of playing, is helpful during this time of finding my way.
I appreciate you responding!
Caden
Caden
Daniel Arana
Artist
1
Answer
Mexico City, Mexico
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
I would say that in order to stand out you need to stand in the knowing that you have something meaningful to offer. You have something meaningful to share without needing to prove your worth. You'll stand out by seeing what makes you "you" and then sharing that. All artists and musicians have an individual thumbprint so to speak. What makes you original is what makes you shine. Hope that helps! Wishing you much success.
Mr. Arana,
Thank you so much for your input and advice. It is really helpful and encouraging!
Caden
Caden
Michelle M.
Actress
2522
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Caden !
Piano is so beautiful ! A Music ministry is even more beautiful ! Allow me to share some advice for your current interests.
You do not "stand out" as a musician, especially if you want to go into music ministry. It will be more like finding the opportunity and it's up to you to get out there and find out what churches are actually hiring pianists or organists. You can also take things into your own hands and form a small ensemble and ask church staff if you can perform there. To be the Music Director at churches in your city, you will need to probably have a college degree in Music. They hire part time so you may want to consider this a part time career. You could also consider pursuing a music career full time in addition, too. Part time pay may not be enough to pay the bills.
In Knoxville where you live, Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church hires pianists and other churches in Knoxville do also. I am not sure of how old you are, but it would be great for you to visit all the churches and ask about the requirements for being hired as a pianist. It's just a matter of them getting to know you and hearing your music. If you are friends with the pastor at your current church, start expressing your interest and also ask if there is a Youth Group at the church. I have seen where Youth Groups attend weekend concerts given by those in a music ministry. It's going to have to start with you and finding the opportunity. If you make yourself known to the church community, it won't seem so competitive after all.
If you ever consider pursuing a future career to be a full time professional pianist, definitely return here to ask questions about the career. I wish you well in all you do !
Piano is so beautiful ! A Music ministry is even more beautiful ! Allow me to share some advice for your current interests.
You do not "stand out" as a musician, especially if you want to go into music ministry. It will be more like finding the opportunity and it's up to you to get out there and find out what churches are actually hiring pianists or organists. You can also take things into your own hands and form a small ensemble and ask church staff if you can perform there. To be the Music Director at churches in your city, you will need to probably have a college degree in Music. They hire part time so you may want to consider this a part time career. You could also consider pursuing a music career full time in addition, too. Part time pay may not be enough to pay the bills.
In Knoxville where you live, Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church hires pianists and other churches in Knoxville do also. I am not sure of how old you are, but it would be great for you to visit all the churches and ask about the requirements for being hired as a pianist. It's just a matter of them getting to know you and hearing your music. If you are friends with the pastor at your current church, start expressing your interest and also ask if there is a Youth Group at the church. I have seen where Youth Groups attend weekend concerts given by those in a music ministry. It's going to have to start with you and finding the opportunity. If you make yourself known to the church community, it won't seem so competitive after all.
If you ever consider pursuing a future career to be a full time professional pianist, definitely return here to ask questions about the career. I wish you well in all you do !
Michelle,
Thank you so much for your input and advice! It is really helpful and encouraging. I see how making those contacts and connections can be beneficial.
I appreciate you responding!
Caden
Caden
You're very welcome, Caden !
Michelle M.
Neil Fung
Instructional Designer
1
Answer
Bel Air, Maryland
Updated
Neil’s Answer
Hello,
While I was pursuing music as a career, I had the opportunity to study a Church Musician degree at Shenandoah University.
If you want to make yourself more marketable as a church musician, learning a wide variety of musician skills is key to bring out your strengths in a resume.
For example, having experience leading a choir, handbell choir, or some type of ensemble is good.
Adding organ playing in addition to your piano playing skills is highly marketable. In my hometown and surrounding area, organists are quite rare. I actually learned organ by myself at the age of 15 and landed a church organist position simply because its difficult to find organists. Simply being able to properly apply organ techniques (even just on the manuals, with no pedals) is a sought after skill. So I'd recommend taking some organ lessons.
Understanding the liturgy of your church's denomination is also important. You can learn to select instrumental music that is appropriate to the church calendar, and this can be highlighted as a skill on a resume.
You might not expect this, but music theory can also be a highly applicable skill in church music. Learning how to re-arrange or reharmonize hymns, or even improvisation on hymns is a valued skill set for church musicians.
Certain churches have modern and traditional services, and if you can do both types, you are again more marketable as a church musician.
Being a church musician also requires people skills, and being able to communicate and resolve conflicts between yourself and others.
I wish you luck in your future career! Hard work pays off!
Experiment with an organ; take some organ lessons.
Expand your music theory and/or composition skills; try reharmonizing or re-arranging hymns.
Research the church calendar for music; learn to play music from a variety of calendar dates/seasons.
While I was pursuing music as a career, I had the opportunity to study a Church Musician degree at Shenandoah University.
If you want to make yourself more marketable as a church musician, learning a wide variety of musician skills is key to bring out your strengths in a resume.
For example, having experience leading a choir, handbell choir, or some type of ensemble is good.
Adding organ playing in addition to your piano playing skills is highly marketable. In my hometown and surrounding area, organists are quite rare. I actually learned organ by myself at the age of 15 and landed a church organist position simply because its difficult to find organists. Simply being able to properly apply organ techniques (even just on the manuals, with no pedals) is a sought after skill. So I'd recommend taking some organ lessons.
Understanding the liturgy of your church's denomination is also important. You can learn to select instrumental music that is appropriate to the church calendar, and this can be highlighted as a skill on a resume.
You might not expect this, but music theory can also be a highly applicable skill in church music. Learning how to re-arrange or reharmonize hymns, or even improvisation on hymns is a valued skill set for church musicians.
Certain churches have modern and traditional services, and if you can do both types, you are again more marketable as a church musician.
Being a church musician also requires people skills, and being able to communicate and resolve conflicts between yourself and others.
I wish you luck in your future career! Hard work pays off!
Neil recommends the following next steps:
Mr. Fung,
Thank you so much for your input and advice! This is really helpful and encouraging. This gives me specific areas to develop and grow in.
I appreciate you responding!
Caden
Caden
MaryAnn Ivan
Musical Director/Composer
9
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
MaryAnn’s Answer
Dear Caden,
Hello ! That is a noble choice. A church musician will always have work. ANY musician will always be able to forge his or her path if they have three top things. (In my opinion).
1) Be an excellent musician.
2) Be very flexible.
3) Be humble.
Things should fall your way. Always keep in mind in that particular position you are there to serve the needs of the Service or Mass, the needs of the congregation, and the needs of the leader in the church, albeit a Priest, Minister, Reverend, Preacher, etc.
Also; You might want to scope out some different denominational services and speak with their musicians or choir directors.
Lastly; and this is a joke; but a dear friend of mine who is a fabulous Broadway singer/actress veteran of the theatre, (as I am a Broadway pianist and musical director myself) said to me… “Broadway is terrific, but the Episcopal's pay the best.” Then of course, there's Jewish services which lend themselves more toward Opera talent.
You can play for Schule on Friday nights, the Catholics Saturday night and Sunday morning, 2-3 Masses, and the Baptists in the afternoon.
You can make a ton of money having a blast ! But ALWAYS be humble about your talent. Don’t get a big head b.c. you have to be able to “fit" through the door.
Good luck !
Mary Ann :-)
Pick up modern day worship music books as well as the Old Time Religion ones. Especially, the Baptist Hymnal. It’s RED.
Hello ! That is a noble choice. A church musician will always have work. ANY musician will always be able to forge his or her path if they have three top things. (In my opinion).
1) Be an excellent musician.
2) Be very flexible.
3) Be humble.
Things should fall your way. Always keep in mind in that particular position you are there to serve the needs of the Service or Mass, the needs of the congregation, and the needs of the leader in the church, albeit a Priest, Minister, Reverend, Preacher, etc.
Also; You might want to scope out some different denominational services and speak with their musicians or choir directors.
Lastly; and this is a joke; but a dear friend of mine who is a fabulous Broadway singer/actress veteran of the theatre, (as I am a Broadway pianist and musical director myself) said to me… “Broadway is terrific, but the Episcopal's pay the best.” Then of course, there's Jewish services which lend themselves more toward Opera talent.
You can play for Schule on Friday nights, the Catholics Saturday night and Sunday morning, 2-3 Masses, and the Baptists in the afternoon.
You can make a ton of money having a blast ! But ALWAYS be humble about your talent. Don’t get a big head b.c. you have to be able to “fit" through the door.
Good luck !
Mary Ann :-)
MaryAnn recommends the following next steps:
Mary Ann,
Thank you so much for your input and advice! This is really helpful and encouraging. And you're right, humility is a desirable character trait that is all too often missing with performers.
I appreciate you responding!
Caden
Caden
Marcus Miller
Musical Artist
4
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Marcus’s Answer
Identify what makes you different from other musicians. In order to separate from the pack, it is important to know what makes you different from everyone else. This will allow you to develop your own sound and approach. Remember if you follow the same form as everyone else, then you'll sound like everyone else. Find a way to bring your individuality into the mix and let it shine. Be clever and authentic. Include as much of your original creativity in everything that you do. There is only one of you and that's what makes you special, unique, and different from everyone else. Lean in to who you are.
Mr. Miller,
Thank you so much for your input and advice! This is very helpful and encouraging. What you say is a challenge but I can see how important it is in order to be set apart and in order to maintain the enjoyment of playing and performing.
I appreciate your response!
Caden
Caden