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.
Work Activities
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Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
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Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
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Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
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Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
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Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
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Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
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Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas.
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Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers.
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Audition and select performers for musical presentations.
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Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.
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Write musical scores for orchestras, bands, choral groups, or individual instrumentalists or vocalists, using knowledge of music theory and of instrumental and vocal capabilities.
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Position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.
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Perform administrative tasks such as applying for grants, developing budgets, negotiating contracts, and designing and printing programs and other promotional materials.
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Confer with producers and directors to define the nature and placement of film or television music.
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Meet with soloists and concertmasters to discuss and prepare for performances.
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Fill in details of orchestral sketches, such as adding vocal parts to scores.
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Explore and develop musical ideas based on sources such as imagination or sounds in the environment.
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Write music for commercial mediums, including advertising jingles or film soundtracks.
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Transpose music from one voice or instrument to another to accommodate particular musicians.
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Rewrite original musical scores in different musical styles by changing rhythms, harmonies, or tempos.
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Arrange music composed by others, changing the music to achieve desired effects.
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Assign and review staff work in such areas as scoring, arranging, and copying music, and vocal coaching.
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Coordinate and organize tours, or hire touring companies to arrange concert dates, venues, accommodations, and transportation for longer tours.
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Study films or scripts to determine how musical scores can be used to create desired effects or moods.
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Transcribe musical compositions and melodic lines to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style.
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Create original musical forms, or write within circumscribed musical forms such as sonatas, symphonies, or operas.
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Collaborate with other colleagues, such as copyists, to complete final scores.
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Copy parts from scores for individual performers.
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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Hearing Sensitivity
The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
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Originality
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Fine Arts
Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Education Bachelor's degree
- Work Experience Less than 5 years work experience
- Training No on-the-job training
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Looking for technical training programs?
Check out these programs:
Artistic: People interested in this work like activities that include creating, designing, and making your own rules.They do well at jobs that need:
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Dependability
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Attention to Detail
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Cooperation
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Integrity
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Innovation
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Achievement/Effort
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Pianos
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Musical organs
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Musical instrument effects unit
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Musical instrument digital interface MIDI interfaces
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Guitars
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Presentation software
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Music or sound editing software
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Electronic mail software
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Desktop publishing software
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Data base user interface and query software
