1. Music CV Example & How to Write a CV for Musicians

Music CV Example & How to Write a CV for Musicians

LiveCareer Editorial Team
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Stepping onto the stage of your career with a finely tuned music CV can make all the difference in landing your next gig or project. In this article, we'll share tips and examples on how to strike the right chord with your musician CV, ensuring it resonates with potential employers and showcases your talent in the best light possible.

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Ready to start crafting your own music CV? Here’s a musician CV sample in a text version:

Music CV sample

Aurora Freeman

Professional Violinist

[Phone no.] 123-456-7890 

Email: aurora.freeman@email.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aurora-freeman5439 

Personal statement

Highly dedicated and skilled professional violinist with over a decade of experience. Seeking to enrich the musical landscape of Bristol Music School with profound musical insights, exceptional violin skills, and the ability to both captivate and educate audiences. Career highlights include a critically acclaimed solo performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Aiming to leverage a passion for music education to foster new talent and promote musical excellence.

Experience

First Violinist

London Symphony Orchestra, London

January 2012–Present 

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

  • Lead violinist in a range of classical and contemporary music performances 
  • Collaborated with renowned conductors and soloists to deliver exceptional musical experiences. 
  • Mentored young musicians, providing technical instruction and career guidance. 
  • Initiated community engagement programmes to broaden classical music accessibility. 

Key Achievement:

  • Solo performance at the Royal Albert Hall, receiving a standing ovation and critical acclaim 

Education

Master of Music, Violin Performance

Royal College of Music, London 

September 2010–July 2012 

Relevant extracurricular activities 

  • Concertmaster of the College Symphony Orchestra 
  • Organiser of the String Quartet Summer Workshop 

Academic achievements 

  • Awarded the Tagore Gold Medal for exceptional performances 
  • Distinction in Masters Degree Recital 

Skills

  • Exceptional technical mastery of the violin 
  • Profound musical analysis and interpretation 
  • Strong leadership and collaboration skills 
  • Effective communication and teaching abilities 
  • Advanced knowledge of music theory 
  • Proficiency in music composition and arrangement 
  • Resilience and adaptability in high-pressure environments 
  • Extensive experience in public performance 

Certifications

  • Diploma in Music Performance, Royal Academy of Music, 2024 

Awards

  • 2023, Outstanding Soloist Award, British Classical Music Awards 

Memberships

Member of the Musicians' Union since 2015 

  • Advocated for musicians' rights and fair compensation during the 2020 Musicians' Assembly 

Languages

  • English—Native 
  • French—Intermediate 

Interests

  • Volunteering for music therapy sessions at local hospitals 
  • Curating a classical music blog to share insights and inspire budding musicians 

How to write a music CV 

Crafting a music CV that plays the right tune involves careful consideration of its various components. Here, we offer insights into making each section of your musician CV echo your career achievements and aspirations.

  • Personal statement: Develop a compelling music CV profile that encapsulates your musical background, key accomplishments, and future goals while tuning in to what employers are seeking.
  • Job description: Tailor your work experience on your CV to underscore your speciality, successes, and pertinent roles using the PAR formula. Feature 3 to 7 bullet points under significant headings where you list your roles and the organisations you've worked with. For self-employed musicians or those considering a career shift, a skills-based CV might be a better score.
  • Education: Bolster your music CV with an education section that highlights relevant academic achievements in the format: [Degree Classification] [Degree Title] (Year Graduated) at [Institution Name]. Augment this with achievements, extracurricular activities, and your areas of expertise if you're short on practical experience.
  • Skills: Compile a skills section for your music CV, listing soft skills and relevant technical skills that match what employers are looking for. This area should supplement your personal statement and job description, demonstrating your alignment with employer needs, so steer clear of listing any unrelated skills.
  • Additional sections: Elevate your CV with extra sections to add depth. Consider including awards, certifications, or languages to help you stand out. However, omit irrelevant hobbies or interests to maintain the focus on your most vital attributes. If you promote your music online, you can share your social media profiles.
  • Cover letter: Enhance your application with a personalised cover letter showcasing why you're a perfect fit for each role. Start with a succinct introduction that highlights your years of experience and suitability. Then illustrate your strengths and contributions in detail. Conclude your cover letter with a short statement expressing your enthusiasm for the opportunity and a confidence-invoking call to action, prompting them to review your portfolio and consider your application.
  • Format: Tailor your music CV format with an eye for readability by choosing the appropriate font and ensuring there's plenty of white space. Also, to ensure ATS compatibility, be mindful of the file format— PDFs are usually safe, but confirm the preferred format as some systems may have difficulty with PDF parsing.

Wrap up your music CV with a final proofread and formatting review to ensure it strikes the right note. Remember to tailor each application, tweak as needed, and keep it concise—one or two pages is ideal. With these tips in mind, you're well on your way to landing your next big gig or project!

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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Considering other positions? See CV examples for different jobs:

Thank you for reading this guide on creating a music CV. We hope it helps you craft your own standout CV for musicians and make your musical ambitions a reality. Good luck!

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

About the author

LiveCareer Editorial Team
LiveCareer Editorial Team

Since 2005, the LiveCareer Team has been helping job seekers advance their careers. In our in-depth guides, we share insider tips and the most effective CV and cover letter writing techniques so that you can beat recruiters in the hiring game and land your next job fast. Also, make sure to check out our state-of-the-art CV and cover letter builder—professional, intuitive, and fully in line with modern HR standards. Trusted by 10 million users worldwide.

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