All About Music Directors
Music Director Definition Direct and conduct instrumental or vocal performances by musical groups, such as orchestras or choirs.
List of Music Director Job Duties
- Transcribe musical compositions and melodic lines to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style.
- Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
- Perform administrative tasks such as applying for grants, developing budgets, negotiating contracts, and designing and printing programs and other promotional materials.
- Plan and implement fundraising and promotional activities.
- Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
- Meet with composers to discuss interpretations of their work.
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Skills Needed to be a Music Director
When polled, Music Directors say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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.
Related Job Titles
- Maestro
- Band Director
- Music Minister
- Chorus Master
- Children’s Choir Director
Music Director Employment Estimates
There were about 74,800 jobs for Music Director in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,300 new jobs for Music Director by 2026. The BLS estimates 7,700 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Music Director are Colorado, Utah, and North Carolina. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Kansas, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Music Directors Salary
The typical yearly salary for Music Directors is somewhere between $21,640 and $112,820.
Music Directors who work in Minnesota, Georgia, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Music Directors in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $75,050 |
| Arizona | $57,810 |
| California | $64,600 |
| Colorado | $50,800 |
| Connecticut | $77,550 |
| District of Columbia | $77,220 |
| Florida | $72,420 |
| Georgia | $73,470 |
| Hawaii | $51,230 |
| Illinois | $40,220 |
| Indiana | $66,460 |
| Iowa | $52,430 |
| Kansas | $55,290 |
| Kentucky | $49,610 |
| Louisiana | $53,600 |
| Maryland | $58,570 |
| Massachusetts | $56,200 |
| Michigan | $51,180 |
| Minnesota | $88,570 |
| Mississippi | $53,000 |
| Missouri | $60,590 |
| Montana | $29,100 |
| Nebraska | $46,650 |
| New Jersey | $73,320 |
| New Mexico | $48,440 |
| New York | $66,120 |
| North Carolina | $48,920 |
| Ohio | $44,920 |
| Oklahoma | $38,530 |
| Oregon | $46,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,010 |
| Rhode Island | $64,200 |
| South Carolina | $53,700 |
| Texas | $61,210 |
| Utah | $57,780 |
| Vermont | $56,130 |
| Washington | $71,980 |
| Wisconsin | $71,350 |
What Tools & Technology do Music Directors Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Music Directors may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Publisher
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Avid Audio Pro Tools
Becoming a Music Director
Education needed to be a Music Director:
What work experience do I need to become a Music Director?
Where Music Directors Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Music Director might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
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