You've chosen to pause your practice, composition, conducting, class, performance, or any other activity you'd rather be doing—just to tackle this? Wow.
Dear musician-ready-to-open-new-doors, I'm here to guide you in writing your first CV.
If you're wondering what a CV is, read this.
WHAT DO I NEED?
A computer (it’s possible to use a phone or tablet, but formatting will be more difficult)
Your calendar or agenda
The photo gallery on your phone (it contains location and date information)
STEP 1: COLLECT INFO 🔎
FILE A
Open a word document (File A). The point of this document is to collect all the info into one bucket.
Prepare yourself for the ultimate archaeological dig—of your own work history!
During this process, you'll find some things are easy to recall, like the degree you're pursuing and the school you're attending. Other details, however, might be trickier—like, when exactly was that orchestra concert last year where you were the featured soloist? This is the kind of info we are on the hunt for during this stage.
You'll scroll through your calendar and photo gallery to jog your memory about relevant events: that band tour you loved, the competition you played after healing from a basketball-related injury, and that Youth Symphony gig for donors.
Jot down the following for each of the events you remember or find:
ensembles
event types/names
dates
locations
Even if it’s a bit messy at first, don't worry—just keep everything in one place for now.
This process may take a couple of hours, so be patient!
STEP 2: SAVE YOUR WORK 💾
SAVE YOUR DOCUMENT REGULARLY to your cloud and/or email it to yourself. You do not want to spend hours writing only to lose everything if your computer crashes! ☠️💻🔨
This will also be helpful down the road. A year from now, when you’re applying for another exciting opportunity, you’ll open your latest version, make a few updates, and save it again. (Trust me, I’ve been doing this for 15 years, and it never stops.)
STEP 3: ORGANIZE 🗂️
The jumble of info you have in your file (File A) will be our source from which we will draw things and place into our actual, neat CV (File B) as needed. By the time we are done, you will have something that looks like this (fake) document:
FILE B
Open a new word document (File B). This document will include all the information from File A, which we will gradually migrate to ensure it is well-organized. But first—
ADD CONTACT INFO
What: Full name, phone number, email address, and optionally, your website.
Where: At the top of the CV (look at example above).
Example: John Doe Phone: (123) 456-7890 Email: johndoe@email.com Website: www.johndoe.com
KNOW THE FLOW
CVs (and résumés) are structured in reverse chronological order, which means your most recent achievements or activities should be listed first in each section.
As you drag and drop things from your File A, be mindful of where they belong on the timeline.
To organize your life, let’s sort your activities into categories.
CV SECTIONS
Listed below are sections typically seen in CVs. Your education and work experience should be prioritized at the top. The rest of the categories don't need to follow the order listed here. If you have numerous awards, you can choose to position them near the beginning. On the other hand, if you hold several important leadership / service positions, place that section towards the top.
1. Education
What to include: All educational institutions you've attended, along with dates and degrees received (or expected).
Example:
Master of Music in Conducting, Big Name School (expected 2026) • Faculty mentor: X
Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance, Fancy School, 2020-2024 • Faculty mentor: Z
2. Professional Experience
What to include: Professional performances, ensembles, or collaborations with groups in your area or elsewhere.
Example:
Principal Percussionist, ABC Symphony, 2023-present
Substitute Percussionist, XYZ Symphony, 2022-2023
Section Leader, School Orchestra, 2018-2022
3. Awards and Honors
What to include: Awards, scholarships, or competitions you have won. Highlight recognition that demonstrates your talent and dedication.
Example:
First Place, WOW Competition, 2023
Full Scholarship, University X, 2019-2023
4. Performances
What to include: Significant solo and ensemble performances, especially those that demonstrate your versatility or highlight your participation in concerts or festivals.
Example:
Solo Recital, School X, 2023
School Orchestra Tour to Region A, Principal Percussion, 2022
Nice Summer Chamber Music Festival, Cool School, 2021
5. Teaching Experience
What to include: Private teaching, outreach programs, schools you taught at.
Example:
Private Percussion Instructor, 2021-present
Outreach Educator, Percussion for Young Musicians, 2021-2022
6. Leadership and Service Roles
What to include: Leadership positions or service contributions to your school or community, such as being a section leader or participating in student government.
Example:
Treasurer, University Z Student Government, 2020-2021
Volunteer, Homeless Shelter Support, 2019-2021
7. Masterclasses and Certifications
What to include: Masterclasses you’ve attended, especially if you’ve worked with renowned musicians. Include any certifications you’ve obtained that enhance your qualifications.
Example:
Masterclass with Popular Musician, 2023
Certified Teacher of the Alexander Technique, 2022
BONUS ITEMS
8. Research and Publications
What to include: Any research or contributions to music-related publications.
Example:
Research on Contemporary Percussion Techniques, University W, 2023
Published article, “The Science Behind Swing Patterns,” Percussion Journal, 2023
9. Grants and Fellowships
What to include: Grants, fellowships, or financial support for research, projects, or education.
Example:
Graduate Fellowship, Sparkly School, 2025-2026
Grant Recipient, Music Outreach Project, 2024
10. Conferences and Presentations
What to include: Attendance and presentations at conferences. This shows your engagement with the community and the development of your professional skills.
Example:
Presenter, “Topic A,” Percussion Conference, 2023
Participant, “Topic B,” Skilled Educators Conference, 2024
You can also include languages, software, references, and other sections, depending on your abilities / the opportunity's requirement.
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
Listing soft skills—Terms like "team player" or "excellent communicator"—these are expected of all musicians and don't provide meaningful insight into your qualifications. Instead, focus on specific accomplishments and experiences that demonstrate those qualities.
Anything in paragraph form—Refrain from including anything in paragraph form, such as a bio or a personal statement. CVs and résumés should be clear, concise, and easy to scan, focusing on key facts and achievements.
Too much personal info—There is no need to include your birthday, a headshot, marital status, or other personal details unless the opportunity specifically requests them. (In the U.S., headshots are typically relevant for singers or casting calls, but that's about it.) Stick to the essentials that highlight your professional experience and skills.
Disregard for the formatting—No matter how incredible you are, if your formatting is sloppy, it can turn people off from reading your documents thoroughly—even if you're exactly what they're looking for.
Compared to this, which presents the same information but is carefully designed for better readability (taking into account font choice, formatting, alignment, and other design elements).
FINAL BITS OF ADVICE
Ask your mentor or an older peer to see their CV—Use it as a model for yours!
Request your mentor to review your CV—Minor details vary between fields. Consult your mentor, as they are likely to have the best understanding of what is expected in your area.
Don't forget to breathe—If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's okay—this process requires time! Ideally, you'll have a few weeks to work on your first CV, updating the document periodically.
I hope this info helps you put together a standout CV that matches your career goals. Good luck!
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