Career Overview
Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.
Also Known As
- Choir Director
- Conductor
- Music Composer
- Music Director
Alternate Job Titles
- 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
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Fine Arts
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Written Comprehension
- Fluency of Ideas
- Originality
- Information Ordering
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Auditory Attention
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Innovation
- Leadership Orientation
- Self-Confidence
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Social Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Independence
- Recognition
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Acoustic guitars
- Audio interfaces
- Audio tape recorders
- Bass guitars
- Computer laser printers
- Condenser microphones
- Conducting batons
- Copy machines
- Desktop computers
- Digital audio workstations
- Drum sets
- Electronic organs
- Expression pedals
- External hard drives
- Flash drives
Work Environment
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $34,990 |
| Median | $63,670 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $157,010 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 12,330
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Musicians and Singers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: Varies
Choreographers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $55,600
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $80,190
Producers and Directors
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $83,480
Talent Directors
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $83,480
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.