Composers and Arrangers

Musical programs at local schools, YMCAs, and community centers offer good beginning opportunities. It is especially helpful to learn to play a musical instrument, such as the piano, violin, or cello. Attending concerts and recitals and reading about music and musicians and their careers will also provide you with good background and experience. There are also many videos available through your school or local library that will teach you about music. You should also form or join musical groups and attempt to write music for your group to perform. There are also many books, DVDs, and online resources that serve as good references on careers in composing and arranging. The Society of Composers & Lyricists publishes The Score (https://thescl.com/the-score-magazine), a quarterly magazine that features interviews with well-known composers and articles about music composition. Participate in information interviews and job-shadowing experiences with composers and arrangers to learn more about the field.