Writing a strong Musician CV
Hiring managers, music directors, and booking agents look for proof that you can fit the job quickly, whether that means sight-reading in a pit orchestra, tracking parts in Logic Pro, teaching graded exams, or performing a two-hour wedding set. Your CV should list instruments, vocal range if relevant, genres, notable venues, recording credits, touring experience, ensemble work, and formal training such as conservatoire study, ABRSM grades, or music education qualifications. Include practical details like DAW skills, notation software, click-track experience, in-ear monitoring, and links to a showreel, portfolio, or EPK.
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Three things that matter most
- Separate live performance, recording, teaching, and composition credits so readers can find the experience that matches the booking or contract. Name venues, ensembles, directors, labels, or production companies where appropriate.
- List your core instruments, secondary instruments, vocal range, and playable genres near the top. For session or theatre work, include sight-reading ability, chart preparation, click-track performance, and familiarity with MD cues.
- Add a clean media section with links to your showreel, Spotify or SoundCloud releases, YouTube performances, EPK, and notation or composition samples. Make sure every link is current and demonstrates the type of work you want to be hired for.
Skills hiring managers look for
Frequently asked
How do I write a Musician CV with no professional gigs?
Use student performances, ensemble work, recitals, church or community events, open-mic appearances, and recorded projects as evidence of experience. Include your training, grades, repertoire, instruments, and any collaboration with choirs, bands, orchestras, producers, or theatre groups. Add links to strong recordings so employers can hear your standard even if your paid credits are limited.
Should a Musician CV include a repertoire list?
Yes, if repertoire is relevant to the work you want, especially for classical, jazz, function band, theatre, or cruise ship roles. Keep the main CV concise and include a short selection of representative pieces, then link to a fuller repertoire list or EPK. Group pieces by genre, composer, show, or set type rather than creating a long unstructured list.
What is the difference between a Musician CV and an artist bio?
A Musician CV is a structured record of credits, training, instruments, technical skills, and performance history. An artist bio is written in paragraph form and is usually used for programmes, websites, press kits, or promotional materials. Many musicians need both: the CV for hiring decisions and the bio for public-facing promotion.
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