What You'll Do

  • Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
  • Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
  • Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
  • Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
  • Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
  • Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
  • Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas.
  • Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers.
  • Audition and select performers for musical presentations.
  • Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 3.88/5
Speaking 3.62/5
Reading Comprehension 3.5/5
Critical Thinking 3.5/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.5/5
Writing 3.38/5
Active Learning 3.38/5
Coordination 3.38/5
Monitoring 3.25/5
Persuasion 3.25/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.12/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Artist: Creating original work and expressing ideas feels natural.
  • Leader: Taking charge and moving ideas forward motivates you.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.

Common styles

Dependability, Integrity, Attention to Detail, Initiative, Independence

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Hearing Sensitivity 4.25/5
Written Comprehension 3.75/5
Fluency of Ideas 3.75/5
Originality 3.75/5
Information Ordering 3.75/5
Oral Comprehension 3.62/5
Oral Expression 3.62/5
Auditory Attention 3.62/5

Technologies & Tools

Anvil Studio Apple Final Cut Pro Apple MainStage Arobas Music Guitar Pro Arpege Music Pizzicato Audacity Audio Chaos Soundscape Generator Audiveris Avid Pro Tools Avid Technology Sibelius Azemus FS Basic Music Composer Cakewalk SONAR Canorus ChordWizard Software Soundtrix Gold Click MusicalKEYS Curto Drum D'accord Music Software iChords Denemo Desktop Piano and Drums

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.7/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.7/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.52/5)
  • Initiative (High importance: 4.39/5)
  • Independence (High importance: 4.35/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Arranger Artistic Director Band Director Band Leader Band Master Children's Choir Director Choir Director Choir Leader Choirmaster Choral Activities Director Choral Director Chorus Master Composer Conceptor Conductor Digital Composer Film Composer Handbell Choir Director High School Band Director Jingle Writer Liturgical Music Director Maestro Marching Band Director Middle School Band Director Music Adapter Music Arranger Music Arts Director Music Composer Music Director Music Manager Music Minister Music Ministries Director Music Orchestrator Music Pastor Music Producer Music Supervisor Music Writer Musical Director Orchestra Conductor Orchestra Director Orchestra Leader Orchestrator Score Composer Songwriter