79: Navigating the Freelance Musician’s Hustle: Part 1
Truly, the life of a freelance musician is a relentless hustle - a constant dance between artistic pursuit and practical realities. Building a career involves actively seeking out new and diverse work opportunities, nurturing existing relationships, enthusiastically engaging in self-promotion, and managing all aspects of the business side, all woven together to forge not only an active schedule but also, ideally, a sustainable income. In addition to this dizzying list, delivering consistently high-quality performances remains paramount. This multifaceted existence demands dedication, resourcefulness, and a knack for juggling diverse skills. As a freelance musician, you embody the essence of solo entrepreneurship, a one-person enterprise, acting as independent contractors. Yet while demanding constant focus and adaptability, this unique entrepreneurial path offers flexibility, artistic autonomy, and the potential for a fulfilling career built on one's musical passion.
During my first year as a composition student, I quickly encountered the realities of a musician's life. My debut piece, a complex work for solo clarinet, caused me to knock on the practice room doors of graduate performers, humbly inquiring if they might donate their talents to my notes. When I finally found a talented DMA student willing to perform the work, I was exhilarated by the experience of hearing them masterfully perform it; this sparked my appreciation for collaboration. Early premieres soon escalated to organizing a recital for 20 performers. The tasks were manifold: designing flyers, spreading the word, gathering enough music stands, coordinating rehearsals, attracting an audience, and even offering pizza as a thank-you after rehearsals. These early experiences were invaluable, teaching me that actively creating opportunities was fundamental to an active career in music composition. Each 'non-musical' task, though seemingly mundane, was a critical step towards the culmination of my efforts: a magical hour where talented musicians brought my compositions to life for an audience.
The Diverse Portfolio of a Freelance Musician
Musicians typically engage a diverse array of professional activities. Teaching often plays a significant role, including private lessons, part-time positions at music schools, guest lectures, masterclasses, and group classes or courses. In the area of performance, their portfolio is equally varied, including recitals, chamber music, orchestral performances, theatrical productions, recording work, and concerto appearances. These engagements may arise from traditional concert series, innovative performance venues, sub work with orchestras, consistent gigs with part-time ensembles/orchestras, and a blend of local and out-of-town opportunities. While many performances are unique events, securing repeat or consistent engagements year after year is crucial for sustainable career planning.
The Power of Relationships in Music
The success of finding performance opportunities is deeply rooted in relationships. It often begins with someone in your network recognizing your talent and recommending you for a role. While some engagements are secured through traditional auditions, many arise from the strength of these personal connections. It's crucial to ask: Are you well-regarded by your peers and those who might advocate for you? When given an opportunity, do you arrive thoroughly prepared, ready to deliver exceptional and inspiring performances? Beyond your musical strengths, your ability to collaborate effectively, ensuring smooth interactions before and after performances, plays a vital role. Demonstrating gratitude for opportunities, attending receptions and donor events, supporting fellow musicians, and engaging with audiences are all aspects that enhance your reputation. Ultimately, being a good colleague—someone others look forward to working with and who adds value to every project—is integral to fostering and maintaining these crucial professional relationships.
The hustle in a musician's career invariably includes personal marketing and networking. Often, it takes multiple interactions—sometimes three or more—before someone genuinely becomes interested in what you have to offer. Building a relationship that leads to a professional opportunity can be a slow process, spanning years. In our digital age, your online presence frequently serves as your initial introduction. Whether it's a Google search or a YouTube video, your digital footprint has a significant impact on how you're perceived by potential collaborators and employers. Fortunately, with tools like a personal website and strategic use of social media, you have the power to influence how others first encounter you and your art.
This hustle demands ongoing attention and typically develops gradually over time. Landing your first gig with an ensemble or being invited to a summer festival is a significant achievement. The key, however, lies in transforming these initial opportunities into repeat engagements and, ideally, into regular collaborations. With time and perseverance, these experiences can become the pillars upon which you structure your annual schedule. Similarly, the first time you work with a conductor opens a door; nurturing this relationship into recurring engagements can lead to becoming an artist that conductor chooses to work with regularly.
Facing Industry Realities as a Freelancer
Embarking on a music career, many musicians focus on artistic excellence, often not foreseeing the need to evolve into solo entrepreneurs to support themselves. Traditional music education concentrates on performance and technical skills, typically overlooking the crucial aspects of networking, branding, marketing, and the significant time investment these require. The abilities that make one shine on stage are quite distinct from those needed for the effective 'hustle' essential in today's music industry.
The pursuit of success in music isn't always a level playing field. It extends beyond sheer musical talent and artistic mastery. While these attributes are fundamental, they form just part of a larger equation. Musicians who possess natural networking skills, who have attended prestigious institutions, or who receive backing from organizations like YCA, often have an edge.
Freelance musicians, as their own bosses, shoulder the responsibility of piecing together enough work to sustain their careers. This path lacks a universal formula; success is often a result of a complex web of collaborations and support networks. Every step, from attracting new students and joining regional orchestras to securing spots in summer music festivals, demands careful strategy and long term dedication. This enduring requirement for energy and focus spans the entirety of their careers. Although having steady gigs or a support team of managers, publicists, and assistants can alleviate some of the workload, the ongoing tasks of relationship building, project development, personal branding, and handling various off-stage responsibilities are constants in a musician's life, right up to retirement.
The silver lining? With time, the art of the hustle can be refined. You can learn to navigate the demands of self-promotion, networking, and career management with greater skill and creativity. In Part 2 of this blog series, we'll explore actionable strategies and tools, offering guidance to help you thrive as a working musician.