International Journal of Music and Performing Arts

Explaining Music Career in Greece: What are the Decisive Factors that Shape it?
Kalliopi Hatziminaoglou, Ioanna Papavassiliou-Alexiou, Petros Vouvaris

Abstract
This paper investigates the factors that influence career decision-making and the course of professional musicians in Greece. The role of family, friends/peers and music teachers is examined, as well as those aspects of personality, which are related with career choices and professional development. Data analysis of 20 semi-structured interviews led to the following conclusions: regarding the environmental factors, family, friends/peers and teachers seem to bear in an ongoing and multifaceted way upon facilitating or complicating the process of professional decision-making. The role of personality appears more crucial in the development towards a music career. An interesting corollary of the study is the conspicuous absence of career guidance and counseling services from external supporting influences. A planned and systematic provision for professional career guidance and counseling is recommended, as a means to offer a firm and informed support to graduate music students of both secondary and higher education in Greece.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijmpa.v9n1a4