A concise guide with advice to readers who are curious about careers in music. Snyder profiles six career paths that young people with a passion for music may not have considered: background singer, booking agent, DJ, music teacher, music therapist, and session musician. Each chapter describes the profession, outlining the responsibilities, number of jobs, median pay, necessary education, ideal personal qualities, typical work settings, and future job outlook. The author includes quotes from professionals who offer advice, discuss their career paths, and describe a typical workday. Former American Idol contestant Alex Trugman explains that background singers must be able to sight-read music, even though lead singers sometimes cannot. Readers may be surprised to learn about the ongoing expenses DJs have to cover out of their payments for gigs, from transportation to software subscriptions. Music therapists share moving stories of helping premature babies and people who are terminally ill. Each chapter closes with additional resources, such as websites for trade associations and industry directories. The engaging style and clear, concise language make this work accessible to a wide range of readers. The real-life examples shed light on the people behind the statistics, balancing informative content with engaging storytelling and offering valuable insights into the music industry. Stock photos show racially diverse people at work.

An enlightening resource that offers valuable information for aspiring music professionals.