Guidance.help

Music Directors and Composers

People classed as Music Directors and Composers 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. On the six-type interest model it reads AES, meaning creative work with room for original expression comes first, followed by leading, persuading and making business decisions. The preparation level is considerable preparation, typically a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience. O*NET’s skill data points to active listening, speaking, and reading comprehension as the ones to build. Expect to use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects. People who want creative work with room for original expression usually fit better here than those who need hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world.

What they do

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.

Main 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.

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Critical Thinking
  • Writing

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You want room to make something in your own way.
  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
  • You are comfortable relying on active listening and speaking.

May not suit you if

  • You prefer clear instructions to open creative briefs.
  • You want to work with your hands for most of the day. Realistic rates 2.1 out of 7 here.
  • You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code AES takes the three highest, and Artistic comes first here.

Preparation

Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Master's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Arranger
  • Choir Director
  • Composer
  • Conductor
  • Music Composer

Related careers

Is this your direction?

See how your interests line up with AES and 906 other careers.

Take the career test

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.