Finding work

Building a sustainable career as a self-employed musician takes more than talent—it requires strategy, visibility, and the confidence to seek out opportunities. This resource guides you through practical ways to find work, connect with the right people, and position yourself as a reliable, in-demand professional.

Most self-employed musicians earn money through having a number of different income streams and roles, rather than relying solely on one. Always have your CV and showreel, videos or recordings of your work up to date and ready to send when opportunities arise.

Strategic Networking and Connections

A lot of freelance work comes through personal recommendations, which is good news—because networking doesn’t have to be intimidating. It’s simply about getting to know people, being yourself, and building genuine connections over time. You don’t need to ‘sell’ anything; just show up, share what you do, and look for small ways to help others. Those relationships naturally grow into opportunities.

• Lead with value: Always start by asking how you can help or support someone else's project, rather than immediately asking for a gig. Networking is a two-way street.
• Start with the familiar: List your existing network. Think beyond "work." Include former classmates and professors, previous colleagues and managers (even from unrelated jobs), friends, family, and people you volunteer with. It might be helpful to send a quick, casual message like the one below to the people on your list.

Hi, I've just officially launched my freelance [your skill/service] business! I'm really excited about it. I know you might not need [service] right now, but I'd be so grateful if you kept me in mind, or introduced me to anyone who you think might benefit.

• Master the elevator pitch: Have a short, memorable, and enthusiastic answer ready for the question, "What do you do?" Focus on the result you deliver (e.g., "I'm a session trumpeter specialising in cinematic scores" or "I teach large groups of complete beginner brass players”).
• Explore the Local Scene: Regularly attend local gigs, masterclasses, and industry events outside your immediate circle. Introduce yourself to other musicians, venue managers, and production staff. They are your primary source of future referrals.
• The follow-up: A quick, polite email or social media connection after meeting someone, referencing your conversation, is essential to solidify the relationship and keep your name at the top of their list.

For Music Tutors

• Word-of-mouth & local ads: Referrals from current students and displaying simple flyers in your band newsletter and communication groups, community boards, libraries, and cafes are classic ways to build a private brass tutoring business.
• Local music shops: Not just places to buy valve oil, but traditional hubs for local music communities. They often keep a list of recommended private tutors for customers.
• Schools and academies: Encompassing full-time classroom teaching roles, as well as freelance or self-employed peripatetic (visiting) music tutor positions at primary, secondary, and independent schools. These are sometimes advertised on social media group such as UK Music Teachers | Facebook
• Music Hubs and Education Services: As well as looking for tutors of one to one lessons, Music Hubs also look for tutors to teach their whole class brass projects. These roles are often advertised on Music Education Jobs | Music Mark but also look directly on your local Music Hubs website. Some hubs also offer space to advertise your services or to join their ‘approved tutor list’.

For Performing Musicians

• Social media: There are a number of Facebook groups that people advertise on looking for last minute deps. This can be a great way to get your foot in the door for future work. National groups such as Dep Musicians in the UK - Needed and Available | Facebook and local groups such as Dep Musicians in London | Facebook. It is common when you respond to these posts to be asked to send a video or recording of yourself playing so have something ready that you can send links to.
• Wedding and function events: Performing at weddings and functions can be a steady and rewarding source of work. By forming a polished small ensemble with clear branding and solid demos, you can secure bookings for ceremonies, receptions, and other private events. You can also do this as a soloist if you have high quality backing tracks or play an instrument such as harp or piano. Start looking for this kind of work through social media wedding groups or by forming a relationship with a local event planner. Doing regular gigs with a small group can be a great way to build your social media presence.
• Religious and community organisations: Churches, synagogues, community choirs, and amateur dramatics societies often require paid instrumentalists or musical directors on a regular or seasonal basis.
• Network: Let other musicians who play the same instrument as you know that you are happy to be called if they need a dep.
• Auditions: Organisations often advertise these on their own websites, social media or through newsletters. Sign up to receive notifications from any you would be interested in auditioning for. Musical Chairs is an online site for classical music jobs. A number of community groups advertise for paid roles on For Music Professionals | Making Music

Some performers find diary services such as Musicians Answering Service are useful to be listed on.

For Composers

Composers often rely on securing commissions for specific projects. Be sure to register your music through organisations such as PRS for Music.

• Arts funding bodies & grants: Government arts councils, charitable foundations, and national/regional funding programs (e.g., Arts Council England, Creative Scotland) regularly award grants to individuals and ensembles for the commissioning of new work. BBE has a dedicated Fundraising Manager offering support and advice to members. Brass Bands England's Fundraising Service
• Organisations such as Help Musicians | Music Creation Funding and Further opportunities – Royal Philharmonic Society provide links to a number of grants available to composers.
• Brass Band compositions competitions: There are a number of regular composer competitions within the Brass Band sector including Competitions - The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and UniBrass Composition Competition with some bands holding their own competition or seeking a commission. Competitions can be a great way to get your music heard by a wider audience and your name more recognised within the genre.
• Classical & contemporary ensembles: Directly engage with small to mid-sized music ensembles, chamber groups, brass bands and orchestras. These groups sometimes have commissioning budgets or dedicate part of their programming to new music. Ask your own band if they would like to commission you to write a piece for them.
• Media and production opportunities: Whether you are targeting film, TV, games, or podcasts, your first step is preparation. Ensure you have a high-quality showreel and a portfolio of your work ready to go
  • Know your niche so others can categorise you easily. Have excellent recordings, strong sample libraries, and be capable of producing high-quality music, even from a home setup
  • Film, tv, games - engage with The Ivors Academy Go to film and game festivals and meet the people who are making them.
  • Advertising - reach out to music supervisors and send them a reel of your work.
  • Production Music - look on Production Music Awards for libraries that have won, find contacts, send them your work and ask if you can have a chat with them.
• Theatre and dance companies: Working as a Composer-in-Residence or securing commissions for bespoke scores, sound design, and incidental music for specific theatrical or choreographic productions.

For Conductors

A conductor's career is built on relationships with institutions and musical ensembles.

• Community bands and amateur orchestras/choirs/dramatic societies: These local groups constantly seek musical direction. They are the essential training ground for building repertoire, experience, and your portfolio. They often offer opportunities for you to try out new ideas and mould an ensemble in the direction you would like it to go. Bands often advertise these positions on 4barsrest.com or on Brass Bands England
• Music Hub ensembles: Conducting a Music Hub ensemble can offer a lot of opportunities to develop your skills in conducting but also often give a chance to refine your arranging or composing skills. They also offer a chance to work collaboratively with other ensemble leaders on wider hub events.
• Competitions and workshops: Actively participating in national and international conducting competitions, festivals, and masterclasses. These events are valuable for meeting high-level mentors, gaining visibility, and receiving performance critiques. In the brass band sector, there are a number of regular competitions such as BBCA Conducting Competition and Young Conductors' Competition 2026 - The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
• Join a professional conducting body: In the Brass Band sector, join Brass Band Conductors' Association for workshops and support. Joining BBCA also gives you individual membership to BBE which enables you to access all their training and support as well.

Other useful links

Jobs & Opportunities | workculture

Musical Chairs