Music Directors :: Job Description

ExistingUsers

User Name:

Password:

Forgot your password?
Click here

NewUsers

FeaturedResources

Music Directors

Careers / Music Directors

Summary Description


	Direct and conduct instrumental or vocal performances by musical groups, such as orchestras or choirs.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Artistic Director

2.	Band Director

3.	Band Leader

4.	Band Master

5.	Chancel Choir Director

6.	Children's Choir Director

7.	Choir Director

8.	Choir Leader

9.	Choir Teacher

10.	Choirmaster

11.	Choral Director

12.	Chorister

13.	Chorus Master

14.	Conductor

15.	Handbell Choir Director

16.	Maestro

17.	Minister of Music

18.	Music Director

19.	Music Instructor

20.	Music Manager

21.	Music Minister

22.	Music Ministries Director

23.	Music Pastor

24.	Music Supervisor

25.	Orchestra Conductor

26.	Orchestra Director

27.	Orchestra Leader

28.	Worship Arts Director

29.	Youth Choir Director

Job Tasks

	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 in order to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.

	Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.

	Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, in order to select music to be performed.

	Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.

	Position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.

	Confer with clergy to select music for church services.

	Transcribe musical compositions and melodic lines to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style.

	Audition and select performers for musical presentations.

	Meet with soloists and concertmasters to discuss and prepare for performances.

	Assign and review staff work in such areas as scoring, arranging, and copying music, and vocal coaching.

	Perform administrative tasks such as applying for grants, developing budgets, negotiating contracts, and designing and printing programs and other promotional materials.

	Plan and implement fund-raising and promotional activities.

	Coordinate and organize tours, or hire touring companies to arrange concert dates, venues, accommodations, and transportation for longer tours.

	Collaborate with music librarians to ensure availability of scores.

	Conduct guest soloists in addition to ensemble members.

	Meet with composers to discuss interpretations of their work.

	Engage services of composers to write scores.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.


		convey moods or emotions through music

		express creativity through music, dance, or acting

		tell stories through musical, visual, or dramatic arts

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.


		signal directions or warnings to coworkers

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.


		direct talent

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.


		motivate people

		assign work to staff or employees

		motivate team members to excel

		monitor worker performance

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.


		teach individuals work-related techniques or skills

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.


		direct band or orchestra

		direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.


		compare musical pitch

		evaluate talent or individual

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.


		understand printed text, musical notation, or customer instructions

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.


		hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers

		audition performers

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Musicians, Singers, and Related Workers
	Musicians, singers, and related workers play musical instruments, sing, compose or arrange music, or conduct groups in instrumental or vocal performances. They perform solo or as part of a group, mostly in front of live audiences in nightclubs, concert halls, and theaters. They also perform in recording or production studios for radio, TV, film, or video games. Regardless of the setting, they spend considerable time practicing alone and with their bands, orchestras, or other musical ensembles.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Musicians, Singers, and Related Workers
	Musicians typically perform at night and on weekends. They spend much additional time practicing or in rehearsal. Full-time musicians with long-term employment contracts, such as those with symphony orchestras or television and film production companies, enjoy steady work and less travel. Nightclub, solo, or recital musicians frequently travel to perform in a variety of local settings and may tour nationally or internationally. Because many musicians find only part-time or intermittent work and experience unemployment between engagements, they often supplement their income with other types of jobs. The stress of constantly looking for work leads many musicians to accept permanent full-time jobs in other occupations while working part time as musicians.

	Read More >>

<< Previous Page

Next Page >>

Interesting Fact

The average American will hold 10 different jobs by the time they are 36.

Did you know...

MyPlan.com has a Video Library of nearly 500 different career and industry videos!