What Do Singers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Singers sing songs on stage, radio, television, or motion pictures. They also sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment.

Other tasks include:

• Interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.
• Sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group.
• Observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation.
• Perform before live audiences, or in television, radio, or movie productions.
• Memorize musical selections and routines, or sing following printed text, musical notation, or customer instructions.
• Practice singing exercises and study with vocal coaches to develop voice and skills and to rehearse for upcoming roles.

We asked Singers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

---

75% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 83% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Singers research particular roles to find out more about a character, or the time and place in which a piece is set. They interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.

A typical day for a Singer will also include:

• Observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation.
• Learn acting, dancing, and other skills required for dramatic singing roles.
• Sing a cappella or with musical accompaniment.
• Practice singing exercises and study with vocal coaches to develop voice and skills and to rehearse for upcoming roles.
• Sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group.

We asked some Singers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	23% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	39% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	55% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	5% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	11% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	21% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Singers also observe choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentation. They may also memorize musical selections and routines, or sing following printed text, musical notation, or customer instructions.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Singers Seek out and learn new music suitable for live performance or recording. They might also Perform before live audiences, or in television, radio, or movie productions.

In addition, they Sing as a soloist or as a member of a vocal group.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Practice singing exercises and study with vocal coaches to develop voice and skills and to rehearse for upcoming roles.

To some Singers, it is also their responsibility to Collaborate with a manager or agent who handles administrative details, finds work, and negotiates contracts.

Working life

Less than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Singer, you can expect to work less than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/entertainment-and-sports/musicians-and-singers.htm

https://futureofmusic.org/

http://nasm.arts-accredit.org/