Median Annual Wage: $48,180
Education: Bachelor's degree (57%); Associate's degree (13%); Doctoral degree (11%)
Projected Growth: Slower than average (3% to 7%)
Related Job Titles: Artistic Director; Music Director; Conductor; Choir Director; Music Minister; Handbell Choir Director; Music Ministries Director; Worship Arts Director; Chancel Choir Director; Children's Choir Director
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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Music Directors.
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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.
- Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.
- Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
- Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
- Position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.
- Confer with clergy to select music for church services.
- Transcribe musical compositions and melodic lines to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style.
- Audition and select performers for musical presentations.
- 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.
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Music Directors.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- 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.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Music Directors.