What Do Music Directors Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Music Directors direct and conduct instrumental or vocal performances by musical groups, such as orchestras or choirs. They also use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
• Audition and select performers for musical presentations.
• Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.
• Collaborate with music librarians to ensure availability of scores.

We asked Music Directors how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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80% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 88% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Music Directors study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations. They plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.

• Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
• Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
• Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
• Perform administrative tasks such as applying for grants, developing budgets, negotiating contracts, and designing and printing programs and other promotional materials.
• Assign and review staff work in such areas as scoring, arranging, and copying music, and vocal coaching.

We asked some Music Directors a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	31% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	82% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	29% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	17% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	2% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	21% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Music Directors also meet with soloists and concertmasters to discuss and prepare for performances. They may also position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Music Directors Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects. They might also Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.

In addition, they Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Collaborate with music librarians to ensure availability of scores.

To some Music Directors, it is also their responsibility to Audition and select performers for musical presentations.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Music Director, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/entertainment-and-sports/music-directors-and-composers.htm

http://nasm.arts-accredit.org/

http://futureofmusic.org/