27-2041.00

Music Directors & 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.

Career Cluster:Arts, Entertainment, & Design
Job Family:Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Job Zone:Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Industry:Other Services (Except Public Administration)
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Technology Tools

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Word

Key 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.
  • Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
  • Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
  • 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.
  • Fill in details of orchestral sketches, such as adding vocal parts to scores.
  • Explore and develop musical ideas based on sources such as imagination or sounds in the environment.
  • Write music for commercial mediums, including advertising jingles or film soundtracks.
  • Transpose music from one voice or instrument to another to accommodate particular musicians.
  • Rewrite original musical scores in different musical styles by changing rhythms, harmonies, or tempos.
  • Arrange music composed by others, changing the music to achieve desired effects.
  • Assign and review staff work in such areas as scoring, arranging, and copying music, and vocal coaching.
  • Coordinate and organize tours, or hire touring companies to arrange concert dates, venues, accommodations, and transportation for longer tours.
  • Transcribe musical compositions and melodic lines to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style.
  • Study films or scripts to determine how musical scores can be used to create desired effects or moods.
  • Create original musical forms, or write within circumscribed musical forms such as sonatas, symphonies, or operas.
  • Collaborate with other colleagues, such as copyists, to complete final scores.
  • Copy parts from scores for individual performers.
  • Produce recordings of music.
  • Stay abreast of the latest trends in music and music technology.

Skills

Active Listening
72%
Speaking
66%
Reading Comprehension
63%
Critical Thinking
63%
Judgment and Decision Making
63%
Coordination
60%
Active Learning
60%
Writing
60%
Persuasion
56%
Monitoring
56%
Time Management
53%
Social Perceptiveness
53%
Management of Personnel Resources
53%
Complex Problem Solving
53%
Negotiation
50%
Systems Evaluation
50%
Instructing
47%
Systems Analysis
47%
Service Orientation
44%
Learning Strategies
44%
Operations Analysis
31%
Management of Financial Resources
31%
Mathematics
28%
Management of Material Resources
28%
Programming
22%
Quality Control Analysis
16%
Technology Design
16%
Operation and Control
10%
Equipment Selection
10%
Troubleshooting
6%
Science
6%
Operations Monitoring
6%
Repairing
0%
Installation
0%
Equipment Maintenance
0%

Knowledge

Fine Arts
93%
English Language
70%
Education and Training
62%
Computers and Electronics
60%
Customer and Personal Service
52%
Philosophy and Theology
52%
Administrative
49%
Communications and Media
47%
Administration and Management
45%
Psychology
40%
Sales and Marketing
38%
Personnel and Human Resources
37%
History and Archeology
34%
Foreign Language
29%
Production and Processing
27%
Sociology and Anthropology
26%
Mathematics
24%
Economics and Accounting
24%
Design
23%
Telecommunications
22%
Law and Government
21%
Therapy and Counseling
19%
Engineering and Technology
17%
Geography
16%
Public Safety and Security
15%
Mechanical
10%
Transportation
10%
Physics
10%
Medicine and Dentistry
5%
Building and Construction
4%
Biology
3%
Food Production
2%
Chemistry
2%

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Abilities

Hearing Sensitivity
81%
Fluency of Ideas
69%
Written Comprehension
69%
Information Ordering
69%
Originality
69%
Auditory Attention
66%
Oral Expression
66%
Oral Comprehension
66%
Speech Clarity
63%
Written Expression
63%
Deductive Reasoning
63%
Near Vision
63%
Category Flexibility
63%
Speech Recognition
63%
Problem Sensitivity
60%
Selective Attention
53%
Flexibility of Closure
53%
Inductive Reasoning
53%
Speed of Closure
50%
Memorization
50%
Perceptual Speed
44%
Far Vision
44%
Sound Localization
44%
Time Sharing
41%
Multilimb Coordination
38%
Trunk Strength
38%
Visualization
35%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
35%
Dynamic Strength
31%
Manual Dexterity
31%
Number Facility
31%
Mathematical Reasoning
28%
Finger Dexterity
28%
Control Precision
28%
Wrist-Finger Speed
25%
Extent Flexibility
25%
Stamina
25%
Rate Control
22%
Response Orientation
22%
Gross Body Coordination
22%
Visual Color Discrimination
22%
Static Strength
19%
Explosive Strength
19%
Gross Body Equilibrium
19%
Dynamic Flexibility
16%
Reaction Time
13%
Spatial Orientation
13%
Speed of Limb Movement
13%
Night Vision
3%
Depth Perception
3%
Peripheral Vision
3%
Glare Sensitivity
3%

Work Activities

Thinking Creatively
87%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
86%
Getting Information
79%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
75%
Scheduling Work and Activities
73%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
70%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
69%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
68%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
66%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
65%
Working with Computers
65%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
64%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
63%
Developing and Building Teams
60%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
59%
Training and Teaching Others
59%
Coaching and Developing Others
57%
Performing Administrative Activities
57%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
56%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
54%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
53%
Documenting/Recording Information
51%
Analyzing Data or Information
48%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
47%
Processing Information
46%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
45%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
44%
Selling or Influencing Others
44%
Performing General Physical Activities
39%
Assisting and Caring for Others
38%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
36%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
34%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
31%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
27%
Handling and Moving Objects
25%
Staffing Organizational Units
22%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
19%
Controlling Machines and Processes
13%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
13%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
10%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
10%

Work Context

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

93%

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

90%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

89%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

87%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

84%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

84%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

80%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

80%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

79%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

73%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

73%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

71%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

70%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

70%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

66%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

65%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

64%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

64%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

61%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

59%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

59%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

58%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

58%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

57%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

47%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

43%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

41%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

36%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

35%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

27%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

26%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

22%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

18%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

16%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

16%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

16%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

14%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

13%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

9%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

8%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

8%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

7%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

7%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

7%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

6%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

4%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

4%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

3%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

3%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

3%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

2%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

1%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

1%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

0%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

0%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

0%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

0%

Education

Master's degree

28%

Bachelor's degree

24%

Doctoral degree

21%

Interests

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

100

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

63

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

34

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

27

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

21

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

17

Work Styles

Innovation
95%
Leadership Orientation
81%
Self-Confidence
75%
Intellectual Curiosity
73%
Social Orientation
72%
Achievement Orientation
71%
Adaptability
70%
Dependability
69%
Attention to Detail
68%
Initiative
65%
Cooperation
64%
Perseverance
60%
Stress Tolerance
60%
Tolerance for Ambiguity
59%
Optimism
58%
Self-Control
52%
Integrity
50%
Empathy
37%
Sincerity
36%

Work Values

Achievement
89%
Independence
75%
Recognition
70%
Relationships
64%
Working Conditions
57%
Support
36%

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