Music Director / Composer

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Arranger; Choir Director; Composer; Conductor; Music Composer; Music Director; Music Producer; Orchestra Director; Songwriter

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 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.
• Write musical scores for orchestras, bands, choral groups, or individual instrumentalists or vocalists, using knowledge of music theory and of instrumental and vocal capabilities.
• Position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.
• Perform administrative tasks such as applying for grants, developing budgets, negotiating contracts, and designing and printing programs and other promotional materials.
• Confer with producers and directors to define the nature and placement of film or television music.
• Meet with soloists and concertmasters to discuss and prepare for performances.

Knowledge

• Fine Arts
• English Language
• Education and Training
• Computers and Electronics
• Customer and Personal Service
• Philosophy and Theology

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Writing
• Active Learning
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Hearing Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Information Ordering
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Auditory Attention
• Written Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Category Flexibility
• Near Vision
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Problem Sensitivity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Flexibility of Closure
• Selective Attention
• Memorization
• Speed of Closure