Music Directors job and career information

Career:
Music Director

Job Description: Direct and conduct instrumental or vocal performances by musical groups, such as orchestras or choirs.

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What Music Directors do:

Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, in order to select music to be performed.
Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances in order to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
Position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.
Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.
Audition and select performers for musical presentations.

Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.

Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.

Confer with clergy to select music for church services.

Meet with soloists and concertmasters to discuss and prepare for performances.

Assign and review staff work in such areas as scoring, arranging, and copying music, and vocal coaching.

Perform administrative tasks such as applying for grants, developing budgets, negotiating contracts, and designing and printing programs and other promotional materials.

Transcribe musical compositions and melodic lines to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style.

Collaborate with music librarians to ensure availability of scores.

Conduct guest soloists in addition to ensemble members.

Plan and implement fund-raising and promotional activities.

Meet with composers to discuss interpretations of their work.

Engage services of composers to write scores.

Coordinate and organize tours, or hire touring companies to arrange concert dates, venues, accommodations, and transportation for longer tours.

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What work activities does a Music Director do?

Importance		Activities
		Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
		Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

		Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
		Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
		Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
		Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
		Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
		Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		Provide Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
		Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.