ABSTRACT
This chapter will explore the notion of professionalism amongst musicians and will focus on the key transition from higher education music student to music professional. Drawing on reflective accounts gathered from professional musicians representing a range of musical genres, consideration will be given to the personal and social factors that have been found to support the transitional process of acquiring and establishing a professional artistic identity. The development of professionalism in music will be considered within the conceptual frameworks offered by notions of transition, as well as boundaryless and protean careers.
