Create a portfolio as soon as possible

One of the things that I wish I’d done sooner was create a portfolio of work that I’m proud of. I definitely did this at Berklee College of Music, because it’s a requirement of both the film scoring program and the composition program there.

However I never made a portfolio of performance work. Many of the gigs that I’ve gotten since graduating from Berklee have been performance related in some way. I’ve subbed on piano at churches. I’ve music directed choirs and for three years a youth theatre program. I’ve recorded guitar for short films. I’ve taught music in both classes and private lessons on piano, guitar, and ukulele. I currently conduct a youth orchestra and direct a jazz ensemble.

I’ve also written music for short films and indie video games, but I had portfolios for those two things before.

But create one as soon as you can. Record yourself playing whatever instrument you play. Make an .mp3 of that song you created in Garageband. Whatever you have, make a finished version of it that you can send to people.

One great way to create a portfolio is by making a website, but if you don’t have the ability or funds to do that you can simply create a YouTube channel, Google Drive, or a Soundcloud.

Each of those is free and allows you to upload videos and/or audio.

The reason I think this is incredibly useful is it removes a step when sending your information to someone. If someone asks to see your work, and eventually someone will, you want to be ready. So get ready as soon as possible. Make that portfolio as soon as possible so that you’re ready whenever you need to be. Because it will be much worse if someone asks and you don’t have anything, than if you have something that they don’t like. But even if they don’t like whatever you show, and you’re proud of it, it’ll feel good (at least somewhat) to have shown your portfolio.

I’ve gone in for a few interviews that are teaching gigs and even they have mentioned, “I checked out your website and found your music and portfolio.” Some of them have mentioned my YouTube videos.

And I’m almost 100% sure those same people would’ve interviewed me had I not have a website or a YouTube channel, but I’m also 100% sure that it helped.

So go make a portfolio. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does have to be something you’re proud of.

ISJ