Music_Director - Career Advice - Leisure and Entertainment

A music director may be the director of an orchestra or concert band, the director of music for a film, the director of music at a radio station, the head of the music department in a school, the coordinator Future Growth Decline of the musical ensembles in a university, college, or institution (but not usually the head of the academic music department), the head bandmaster of a military band, the head organist and choirmaster of a church, or an Organist and Master of the Choristers (a title given to a Director of Music at a cathedral, particularly in England).

A fine arts music director works as a musical conductor (literally, with a baton!) while serving as his or her company's artistic leader and visionary; choir, opera, and ballet music directors have similar duties. A symphonic music director typically creates the season's performance schedule, hires musicians and guest conductors, helps fundraise, and serves as the orchestra's public symbol. A school music director teaches music to students individually and as a group, including rehearsing the school band for performances.

A conductor (music) [Music Director] conducts instrumental groups such as symphony orchestras and large bands. They can audition and select members of a group and choose the music to accommodate their talents and abilities, and to suit different types of performance events. Conductors become familiar with the complete musical score, conduct rehearsals, instruct players on their performances and try to make the best use of each instrumentalist's talents. They conduct performances in which they control factors such as balance, rhythm, dynamics and timing, to create an effect consistent with their own interpretation of the score.

Baton

Conducts choirs, orchestras, bands, ensembles, opera companies and musical performances. This occupation requires high levels of creative talent or personal commitment and interest as well as, or in place of, formal qualifications or experience.

ANZSCO ID: 211212

Specialisations: Band Leader, Choral Director, Orchestra Conductor.

Conductor (Music)

A conductor (music) conducts instrumental groups such as symphony orchestras and large bands. Conductors may audition and select members of a group. They choose music to accommodate the group's abilities and to suit different types of performance events. Conductors become familiar with the complete musical score, conduct rehearsals, instruct players on their performances and try to make the best use of each instrumentalist's talents. They conduct performances in which they control factors such as balance, rhythm, dynamics and timing to create an effect consistent with their own interpretation of the score.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

As a music director, you would:

well-developed musical skills
stamina and physical fitness
confidence to perform in front of live audiences
motivation, self-discipline and determination
able to concentrate and practise for long periods
mastery of one or more styles of music
creativity and a flair for entertainment. practise regularly prior to performances
perform in concerts and participating in recording sessions
preparing for auditions and rehearsals
learn new pieces of music to extend your repertoire
make recordings for sale or promotion
contact agents and look for work
participate in educational work in schools, businesses and the wider community.

Duties & Tasks Conducting

creating melodic, harmonic and rhythmic structures to express ideas and emotions in musical form
translating ideas and concepts into standard musical signs and symbols for reproduction and performance
undertaking research and liaising with clients when composing musical backing for television commercials, popular recordings, and radio, television and film productions
auditioning and selecting musicians and Singers
selecting music for performances and assigning instrumental parts to musicians
directing musical groups at rehearsals and performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance, rhythm and tempo
studying and rehearsing repertoire and musical scores prior to performances
playing music in recital, as an accompanist, or as a member of an orchestra, band or other musical group, from score and by memory
performing music and songs according to interpretation, direction and style of presentation, using highly developed aural skills to reproduce music (Source: ABS)

Did You Know?

Source: The Guardian [2013]

Associate Conductor Tara Simoncic is at the forefront of young American conductors. She most recently served as Associate Conductor of the Harrisburg Symphony as well as the Music Director of the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra. She was also Music Director of the Norwalk Youth Symphony (CT), Music Director of the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra (NJ), Conductor of the Flexible Orchestra (NYC), and Assistant Conductor of the Martha Graham Dance Company.

Ms. Simoncic began studying trumpet at the age of six. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from the New England Conservatory, a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from Northwestern University, and a Professional Studies Diploma in Orchestral Conducting from The Manhattan School of Music.
(Source: Greenwich Symphony)

Working conditions

Music Directors must be prepared to work irregular hours and spend long periods practising and and rehearsing. Unsalaried musicians often work in other jobs to support themselves. Many professional musicians also teach music as another means of income.
You might play one-off performances, or be booked for regular weekly or monthly gigs. Some musicians could be booked for a whole season if touring as a session musician or working on a cruise ship.

Most of your gigs would take place in the evening, including on weekends.

Music Directors work in collaboration with others in a choir or band, or as a salaried member of an orchestra, opera company or theatrical ensemble.

You might travel regularly to different venues to perform. This may include lengthy periods of time away from home.

Education and training/entrance requirements

A music director in the performing arts tends to have a master's and Ph.D. in musical programs like conducting, music theory, music composition, or in a specific instrument. A school music director requires at least a bachelor's degree in a music-related field and a state-issued teaching credential.

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