Qualifications improve your chances; they do not gate the job. Level 6 is the most recognised.
Level 6 most recognisedOpen entry
Your route in
You can start without qualifications - direct entry/volunteering; a qualification improves your chances
1
Qualifications employers recognise (Level 6)
Any of these strengthens your application.
2
Where this can take you
Many musicians are self-employed freelancers and often have to do other jobs alongside their career as a musician. With experience, you could: progress in an orchestra to principal player or section leader, move into conducting, start your own ensemble, go into business roles like manager, producer, writer or work at a record company, become a singing teacher, vocal coach or teach your musical instrument and get into academic research.