Music Composers and Arrangers

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Music Composers and Arrangers

Careers / Music Composers and Arrangers

Summary Description


	Write and transcribe musical scores.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Arranger

2.	Composer

3.	Composer Teaching Artist

4.	Conceptor

5.	Copyist

6.	Creative Director

7.	Digital Composer

8.	Film Composer

9.	Jingle Writer

10.	Music Adapter

11.	Music Arranger

12.	Music Composer

13.	Music Orchestrator

14.	Music Producer

15.	Music Writer

16.	Musician

17.	Record Producer

18.	Song Writer

19.	Songwriter

Job Tasks

	Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Use computers and synthesizers to compose, orchestrate, and arrange music. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Write changes directly into compositions, or use computer software to make changes. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Guide musicians during rehearsals, performances, or recording sessions. Coordinate musical rehearsals or performances.

	Score compositions so that they are consistent with instrumental and vocal capabilities such as ranges and keys, using knowledge of music theory. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Write musical scores for orchestras, bands, choral groups, or individual instrumentalists or vocalists, using knowledge of music theory and of instrumental and vocal capabilities. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Confer with producers and directors to define the nature and placement of film or television music. Collaborate with others to determine technical details of productions.

	Fill in details of orchestral sketches, such as adding vocal parts to scores. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Explore and develop musical ideas based on sources such as imagination or sounds in the environment. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Write music for commercial mediums, including advertising jingles or film soundtracks. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Transpose music from one voice or instrument to another to accommodate particular musicians. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Rewrite original musical scores in different musical styles by changing rhythms, harmonies, or tempos. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Study original pieces of music to become familiar with them prior to making any changes. Study details of musical compositions.

	Arrange music composed by others, changing the music to achieve desired effects. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Accept commissions to create music for special occasions. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Study films or scripts to determine how musical scores can be used to create desired effects or moods. Study scripts to determine project requirements.

	Create original musical forms, or write within circumscribed musical forms such as sonatas, symphonies, or operas. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

	Collaborate with other colleagues, such as copyists, to complete final scores. Collaborate with others to prepare or perform artistic productions.

	Copy parts from scores for individual performers. Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

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

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

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

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

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

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

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

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

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

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

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

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

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

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

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

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

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

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

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

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

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

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Music Directors and Composers
	Music directors, also called conductors, lead orchestras and other musical groups during performances and recording sessions. Composers write and arrange original music in a variety of musical styles.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Music Directors and Composers
	Music directors work for religious organizations and schools. They also work in concert halls and recording studios. Music directors may spend a lot of time traveling to different performances. Composers can work in offices, recording studios, or their own homes.

	Read More >>

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