Finding job opportunities as a classical musician can be difficult and time consuming, especially if you don’t know where to look. Luckily, there are some great websites geared towards helping you navigate the classical music job market. In this article, we cover the pros and cons of our top 5 websites in order to help you find your next opportunity.
The Top 5 Websites for Classical Music Jobs
1. MusicalWorks
Pros:
- Easy to Navigate
- Widest Array of Range of Opportunities
- Easy-to-List
Cons:
- Less established
- No internal application system
MusicalWorks: https://www.musicalworks.io/category/jobs
While we may be playing favorites here, we believe we’ve improved on the industry standard with our listing service. At MusicalWorks, we have the widest array of listings in the world for classical music jobs and opportunities. Additionally, we make sure our listings are always up to date. We also don’t charge super high rates for organizations to list, opening us up to a wider range of opportunities than websites like Muvac and MusicalChairs.
2. MusicalChairs
Pros:
- Established and Trusted Platform
- Wide Array of High-Level Listings
- Reputable Resource for Orchestra and Teaching Jobs
Cons:
- Outdated User Interface
- Some Listings Might Be Outdated
- Limited Job Opportunities for Smaller Orchestras
- High Price to List
MusicalChairs Homepage: https://www.musicalchairs.info/
MusicalChairs is arguably the leading online resource for finding orchestra jobs and other classical music positions worldwide. It has a large array of listings for high-level orchestral positions and teaching jobs. There are hundreds of audition opportunities and teaching applications for openings all around the world from trusted and verified organizations.
The main issues with MusicalChairs are that the UI can be difficult to navigate, some of their listings can be years old, and they price out smaller groups and opportunities that don’t have the budget for their advertising fee. If you’re looking for high-level orchestral auditions and job posts at top conservatories, MusicalChairs is a great place to find this. If not, you may be better off at alternatives like MusicalWorks, Linkedin, and Indeed.
3. LinkedIn
Pros:
- Professional Networking Platform
- Broad Network Across Industries
- Opportunities for Professional Profile Showcasing
Cons:
- Not Industry-Specific
- Lack of Specialized Classical Music Job Listings
- Requires Active Networking Efforts
Discover more on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/
Linkedin is a great networking platform for musicians as it offers a way to connect with conductors, orchestras, and other musicians. While not specifically a job listing website, Linkedin can help you grow your profile as a musician and get on the radar of people who could get you work in the future. Additionally, orchestras and conservatories will often list their job openings on their Linkedin too, which will help guarantee you’re in the know about new openings, especially if you’re gunning for a specific orchestra. Searching keywords like “classical music jobs” or “orchestra jobs” can help you find jobs directly related to the field.
4. Indeed
Pros:
- Wide Array of Non-Performance Specific Jobs
- Great User Interface and Ease of Use
- Wide Array of Teaching Jobs
- Trusted and Reputable Platform
Cons:
- Limited Array of Orchestral Jobs
- Few High-Level Opportunities
- Non-Industry Specific Listings
Indeed: https://www.indeed.com
Indeed is a well-known job search engine that aggregates listings from multiple sources, making it a cross-industry go-to for finding jobs. Because it’s not industry specific, you’ll find lots of opportunities that may be great for musicians who are looking for a career pivot but still want to work in the music industry.
5. Muvac
Pros:
- Ability to Apply Through the Website
- Wide Array of Trusted Listings
- Easy-to-Use User Interface
Cons:
- Mostly High-Level Jobs
- Limited Courses and Competitions listed
- Expensive to List
Muvac: muvac.com
Muvac is a beautifully designed website with listings tailored to classical and jazz musicians. Muvac offers the capability to apply through their website, and is a popular platform for orchestras to run auditions and application intakes through. It’s specific to music, and so the website is tailored to musicians. While MusicalWorks and MusicalChairs both list many competitions and courses through their website, Muvac has a more limited selection when it comes to these.