A Portfolio Career: A Time-Tested Tradition in Music
In many ways, the portfolio career—the idea of weaving together multiple roles to create a sustainable professional life—is often thought of as a modern necessity. Today’s musicians juggle teaching, performing, administration, and entrepreneurship to navigate a volatile landscape. However, when I reflect on my own journey, I realize that this approach is not new. Rather, it’s a continuation of a tradition that dates back centuries, and one that has been practiced by some of the most remarkable figures in music history.
A Historical Reflection: Music’s Pioneers
The first example that comes to mind is Johann Sebastian Bach. A household name in classical music, Bach was not only a virtuoso organist and composer but also a teacher and an administrator. In fact, his role as a church organist and music director meant that he was often responsible for running the musical programs in various churches while simultaneously composing some of the most complex and enduring music in Western history. Bach’s ability to blend these administrative duties with a prolific composing career is strikingly similar to the multifaceted lives that modern musicians lead today.
Fast forward to the 19th century, and we find figures like Franz Liszt. While famous as a piano virtuoso, Liszt's career was also marked by his teaching, his contributions to music composition, and his role as a musical ambassador to Europe. In fact, his influence as a teacher is considered foundational, as he mentored a generation of composers, including Richard Wagner and Ferruccio Busoni. Liszt exemplifies the idea of a portfolio career, as he embraced multiple facets of the music world, from performing to writing to mentoring, showing that a musician could thrive in a variety of contexts.
Yet, as much as male musicians have exemplified this approach, women have also paved the way for what we now see as a multifaceted career in the arts. Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, for instance, while often overshadowed by her brother Felix, crafted a legacy that included composing, performing, and building community through her salon concerts in Berlin. These gatherings, where intellectuals, artists, and musicians mingled, were an early form of what we might now call “networking” or “community-building.” Fanny’s role as a composer and performer was unconventional for a woman of her time, yet her ability to balance multiple roles echoes the contemporary challenges many musicians face today.
Another important figure is Clara Schumann, whose story is one of resilience and adaptability. As a composer, virtuoso pianist, and teacher, Clara managed to maintain a thriving career despite the domestic responsibilities of raising eight children. Her role as a performer and composer often intersected with her duties as a teacher, fostering the careers of countless students while navigating the pressures of being a woman in a male-dominated field. Clara’s ability to sustain her career while balancing family life demonstrates the challenges many musicians—particularly those balancing teaching and performing—continue to face in the present day.
Modern Reflections: Portfolio Careers in the 21st Century
As I look at these trailblazers, I see much of my own career reflected in their lives. Today, I manage a portfolio career that spans multiple roles:
Sales Manager at B. Corbin Clarinet Products
Executive Director at New Works Project
Teaching Artist and private studio manager
Performer
Like Bach, I wear multiple hats that involve both creative and administrative responsibilities. Much like Liszt, I mentor and collaborate with other musicians while still engaging in performance and composition. And, similar to Clara Schumann, I balance my personal and professional life, knowing that creating a sustainable career often requires weaving together many threads.
The portfolio career is no longer just about “surviving” as a musician—it’s about thriving by creating a network of interconnected roles that support and inspire each other. Musicians today, like those in history, are carving out a space where they can contribute to their art in multiple ways: through performance, teaching, creating, and collaborating.
What Can We Learn from These Figures?
Looking at the diverse figures who shaped the classical music landscape—men and women alike—several themes emerge that continue to shape the careers of musicians today:
Adaptability and Flexibility
Whether it’s Bach balancing administrative duties with composition or Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel organizing concerts and composing in the confines of her home, musicians have long needed to adapt to changing circumstances. Today, this adaptability remains essential, especially as technology and the global nature of the arts provide new opportunities—and challenges—for musicians.Community Building
From the salons of Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel to the social gatherings organized by Nadia Boulanger, music’s history is rich with examples of musicians who understood the importance of building networks and communities. This lesson is especially relevant today, as musicians often have to work across multiple sectors—education, performance, composition—while cultivating their own community.Resilience in the Face of Adversity
The resilience of figures like Clara Schumann and Florence Price, who faced significant social and personal challenges, echoes the struggles of many modern musicians. Today, musicians must still overcome financial instability, systemic barriers, and balancing family with career. But these figures remind us that resilience is a critical component of any portfolio career in the arts.Creativity Beyond Performance
Both Clara Schumann’s teaching and Nadia Boulanger’s mentorship highlight that being a musician is about more than just performance. The creative process extends to shaping the future of music through teaching, mentoring, and advocating for new works. Today’s musicians must take a similar holistic approach, embracing new forms of creation—whether through digital platforms, collaborations, or teaching.
Bridging the Gap: Historical Lessons for Today’s Musicians
As I continue to grow my portfolio career in the 21st century, I can’t help but reflect on the legacy of those who came before me. Their diverse and multifaceted careers were born from necessity, but they offer us a powerful example of how musicians can thrive in multiple roles. Just like Bach, Liszt, Clara Schumann, and Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, today’s musicians have the opportunity to create careers that are rich, varied, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.
The portfolio career is not just about surviving in a changing world; it’s about shaping that world, creating opportunities for others, and finding fulfillment across multiple creative endeavors.
As I continue to build my career, I am inspired by those who have made this path their own. We stand on their shoulders, taking the lessons of adaptability, resilience, and community-building into the future of music.
Sources:
Fassler, M. (2012). Music in the Medieval West.
Citron, M. J. (1987). Letters of Fanny Hensel to Felix Mendelssohn.
Reich, N. B. (1985). Clara Schumann: The Artist and the Woman.
Brown, T. D. (2020). The Heart of a Woman: The Life and Music of Florence B. Price.
Rosenstiel, L. A. (1982). Nadia Boulanger: A Life in Music.
