Singers perform musical arrangements as soloists or members of vocal groups, choirs or bands.

Singers perform for live audiences and in recording studios. They usually specialize in particular types of music (popular, country, jazz, concert, recital, oratorio or opera) but may perform in several genres.

The careers of classically trained singers who perform mostly opera, musical theatre, chamber music and choral music are quite different from those of singers who perform popular music such as rock, country, blues and jazz. Popular singers need business and entrepreneurial skills as well as talent. Hit songs can have a fairly short life and singers may work for years without achieving commercial success.

Singing for many artists is more than just having a good voice; it is a lot of hard work. In addition to rehearsing and performing, popular singers:

• look for new material that fits their particular style and could be added to their live performances or next recordings
• audition or prepare and submit audition tapes (demos) to obtain work
• work with business agents or managers to find work and negotiate contracts
• work with graphic artists on promotional material
• develop and maintain websites
• may write their own songs (for more information, see the Songwriter occupational profile).

Classical singers specialize in a particular voice type (soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, bass). In addition to rehearsing, performing and looking for work, they must:

• learn new music (often written in other languages)
• research particular roles to find out more about the character they are portraying or the period of history in which the piece is set
• work with vocal coaches to rehearse for upcoming stage roles
• learn fencing, acting and dancing as required for dramatic singing roles.

All singers must practice daily to maintain the elasticity of their voices throughout their singing careers. If they know the repertoire well, rehearsals may only take a short time; however, if singers must learn new repertoire or new roles (for example, in an opera or musical) practice sessions may take several weeks or months.

Recording sessions for radio commercials and film soundtracks require singers to sight read their parts. They often have to learn new pieces of music within two or three takes.

Singers work primarily in larger centres where recording studios usually are located and most concert productions are staged. They work long hours, day and evening, rehearsing and performing. Most performances are in the evenings and on weekends.

Singers must be prepared to travel wherever work is available. To promote new recordings, they may go on national or regional tours.

Like most other artists, singers need good business sense and an understanding of how to promote themselves to agents and managers. Versatility is a definite asset.

Singers must learn to entertain. Entering amateur competitions, recitals and music festivals as early as possible provides practice at performing for an audience. Learning to play an instrument provides good grounding in sight reading and ear training. Because the voice changes during adolescence, many singers wait until later to commit themselves to a career in singing.

Although many popular singers have little formal music training, there is a growing trend for professional contemporary singers to pursue formal technical training since understanding musical concepts improves a singer's ability to communicate with their conductor and fellow performers. Conductors also may prefer working with singers with this background as better communication makes for more efficient use of often limited rehearsal time.

Finding a singing teacher who is competent and well versed in either classical or popular styles is important. Singing lessons are offered by music conservatories, independent teachers and post-secondary institution music departments. Courses in other areas of music such as arranging, composing and music theory are useful too.

It is not necessary to have a degree or diploma in music to become a singer. However, the comprehensive music education offered in post-secondary programs can be very valuable.

In Alberta, the following post-secondary institutions offer music programs with performance or voice specializations:

• Ambrose University College in Calgary 
• Concordia University College of Alberta in Edmonton 
• Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton 
• The King's University College in Edmonton  
• Mount Royal College in Calgary 
• Red Deer College 
• Rocky Mountain College in Calgary  
• University of Alberta in Edmonton and Camrose 
• University of Calgary  
• University of Lethbridge.

Admission requirements vary from one institution to another but generally include a competitive average in English Language Arts 30-1 and four other appropriate Grade 12 subjects, or equivalent. 

For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites. For a complete listing of Alberta post-secondary institutions that offer music programs, see the Instrumental Musician occupational profile.

Continuing education programs may be offered on an as needed basis.

The Banff Centre offers voice workshops. Live or recorded (for example, CD, DVD or videotape in VHS format) auditions are required.

Singers from both popular and classical backgrounds may work in:

• concert halls, churches and theatres as soloists or as part of a group
• radio and television studios (doing commercials)
• recording studios
• festivals, national expositions or other large cultural events
• musical theatre and operas.

Popular music singers often start out singing at school events. They may sign on with a booking agent who, for a percentage of the contract, finds them work in bars and clubs. Classical singers may have fewer options available for singing contracts. Because singing is not always a full time occupation, singers often have other jobs as well.

Singers need to build a fan base by getting exposure through recordings or live performances. This requires making professional quality demos that highlight the singer's best qualities, and developing contacts with music directors, music agents, conductors, songwriters and music producers.

Singers are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 5133: Musicians and Singers. In Alberta, 94 per cent of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Educational Services
• Information, Culture and Recreation.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

The market for classical singers is small and very competitive especially for female singers.

Performers or their agents negotiate fees for live performances with owners or managers. Therefore, singers' incomes can fluctuate dramatically depending on how much work is available.

Singers may belong to different unions and associations that set wage scales. Those involved in recording, live performances and commercials may belong to the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. Singers in musical theatre and in operas may belong to the Canadian Actors Equity Association. Singers performing for film, television and radio may belong to the Alliance of Cinema, Television and Radio Artists.

According to the 2009 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Musicians and Singers group earned from $12.50 to $67.31 an hour. The average wage was $26.16 an hour.

For more detailed information, see WAGEinfo.

Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above)

EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo

Alberta Music Industry Association website: www.amia.ca

Alliance of Cinema, Television and Radio Artists website: www.actra.ca

American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada website: www.afm.org

Calgary Musicians' Association website: www.calgarymusicians.org

Canadian Actors' Equity Association website: www.caea.com

Cultural Human Resources Council website: www.culturalhrc.ca

Edmonton Musicians' Association website: www.afmedmonton.ca