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.

What you'd actually do

• 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.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work splits time indoors and out; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 25.6% of music directors and composers are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are creative, take-charge and people-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a music directors and composer make?

The median pay is $35.44 per hour — roughly $73,500 a year, with the real range running from about $19.17/hr (10th percentile) to $79.69/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a music directors and composer?

The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

What does a music directors and composer actually do all day?

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.