Leadership role
Music Director
Leads the musical programming and performances of an orchestra, opera company, choir or other music organization.
Reporting and scope
Reports to the board or the Executive Director / CEO and works closely with the executive and artistic leadership. Authority covers artistic decisions on repertoire, musicians and performances.
Core responsibilities
- Chooses repertoire and plans each season
- Conducts main concerts or productions
- Takes part in hiring, auditions and evaluation of musicians
- Works with the executive team on budgets, touring and recordings
- Represents the organization with donors, audiences and the press
- Supports education and community engagement programs
How it differs
The Artistic Director leads artistic vision in theater, dance or multi-discipline organizations. The Executive Producer turns plans into funded productions. At churches, a music director is usually a staff musician and not an executive.
By organization size
At community orchestras and choirs the post is often part-time. At major orchestras the Music Director is typically on a multi-year contract covering a set number of weeks each season.
Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: Music Director; Conductor; Director of Music; Pops Conductor; Artistic & Music Director; Artistic Director & Conductor