Careers in Music: More Than Performing

SubstitutePlans.com
Arts · Music (General / Band / Choir)
SP-MUS-008 · Free to print and use in your classroom · substituteplans.com
Page 2
Careers in Music: More Than Performing
Arts · Music (General / Band / Choir) · Grades 9-12 · 50 minutes
Time needed
50 minutes (one class period)
Prep
Copy the 2-page worksheet (one per student).
Technology
None.
Student
independence
High. Silent reading, then individual work and discussion.
Copies to make
One 2-page worksheet per student
Materials
Pencils, Worksheet
Goal for today: Students will describe the work of eight music careers and plan first steps toward two careers that
match their interests.
Before the bell
☐ Copy the worksheet, one per student (2 pages).
☐ Write on the board: A career is the work you do over many years. A job is one position. Many musicians do
several jobs at once.
☐ Keep the answer key on your desk. You do not need a music background.
Say this to start
Many people think a music career means being a famous performer. In fact, thousands of people work in music in other
ways. Today you will read about eight of them and then think about which ones might fit you. Work on your own and
be honest about what you like.
Run of show
Minutes
What you do
What students do
0–5
Take attendance. Hand out the worksheet and read the
board definitions aloud.
Look over the worksheet.
5–15
Ask students to read the passage silently and star one
career that sounds interesting.
Read and star one career.
15–25
Tell students to complete the matching, questions 1–8.
Match each career to its description.
25–35
Tell students to answer questions 9–13.
Answer the multiple-choice, true/false and
short questions.
35–46
Tell students to complete the Career Planner table and
questions 14–15.
Plan first steps for two careers.
46–50
Collect worksheets in a stack. Invite one volunteer to name
a career they starred and why.
Share and hand in the worksheet.
If things go wrong
• If students say they do not plan to work in music, tell them the planner works for any interest and the skills
(teamwork, listening, organizing) apply to many jobs.

SubstitutePlans.com
Arts · Music (General / Band / Choir)
SP-MUS-008 · Free to print and use in your classroom · substituteplans.com
Page 3
• If a student asks about pay, tell them pay varies widely and is not listed here. They can note it as a question
for later.
• If a student finishes early, use the early finisher list.
• If students want to talk about personal plans, welcome it, but keep family or money details out of the
discussion.
Early finishers
• Write three questions you would ask someone who works in one of these careers.
• List three skills a venue manager and a music teacher share.
Support and challenge
• Support: Let students list only one first step for each career instead of two.
• Challenge: Write a one-paragraph description of a music career that is not listed here, such as a concert
lighting designer.
Notes for the teacher (you fill this in)
Jot a few lines before you leave. A full Daily Sub Report is in the free Sub Survival Kit at SubstitutePlans.com.
How far the class got / what to pick up next:
Students who were especially helpful:
Anything the teacher should know: