Singer

Job overview
It goes without saying that singers are people who sing, but to make a career of singing a person with a naturally clear and resonant voice starts with a great advantage.

With good training he or she can then have the opportunity to sing solo as a recitalist, or as lead singer in a choir, in opera, musical comedy or other stage performances.

At a less ambitious level, singers can be just one of the voices in a choir or group, but even then the singers in really top-level choirs/groups have to be very accomplished performers, normally able to read musical scores at sight.

What do people do in this occupation?
When singers perform in choirs, they must watch the choirmaster, conductor or accompanist, so that the whole choir or group performs the changes in tempo, volume or rhythm simultaneously.

Unless they sing specific solo parts, their voices must not be heard above the other voices in the choir.

In addition to public appearances on stage, singers must often perform in studios, where recordings take place.

Studio work can be tiring because a song must often be sung a number of times until a satisfactory recording is made.

For opera or musical comedy, dancing, playing a musical instrument or acting are often part of singers?' ?training and good stage singers are often called upon to display acting ability.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
In order to become professional singers, persons must have exceptional voices, a sound musical background, natural or acquired acting ability and enough self-confidence to perform convincingly before an audience.

Singers also need the stamina and discipline to spend a great deal of time practising, training, and studying music.

What qualifications are needed?
Most professional singers will have progressed from having tuition by local teachers and taking part in local concerts etc, to go on to a musical academy or college, some of the best of which are to be found in the world?'?s major cities.