The historical importance of musicians’ professional organizations for the definition of their careers and social status, as well as their impact on society's perception of musicians and their activities has received increasing attention from Musicologists, and also from disciplines such as Sociology and History. However, research on these subjects is still insufficient and unsystematic. The international conference Music as a profession: status, careers and organizations (18th-20th centuries) aims to encourage dialogue and exchange on these issues and related topics in an international and long-term perspective, through different scientific approaches.