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Music Directors - 27-2041.01

O*NET-SOC Description

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

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Music Director
  • Conductor
  • Choir Director
  • Music Minister
  • Handbell Choir Director
  • Music Ministries Director
  • Artistic Director
  • Worship Arts Director
  • Chancel Choir Director
  • Children's Choir Director

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Assign and review staff work in such areas as scoring, arranging, and copying music, and vocal coaching.
  • Audition and select performers for musical presentations.
  • Collaborate with music librarians to ensure availability of scores.
  • Conduct guest soloists in addition to ensemble members.
  • Confer with clergy to select music for church services.
  • 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.
  • Coordinate and organize tours, or hire touring companies to arrange concert dates, venues, accommodations, and transportation for longer tours.
  • 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.
  • Engage services of composers to write scores.
  • Meet with composers to discuss interpretations of their work.
  • Meet with soloists and concertmasters to discuss and prepare for performances.
  • Perform administrative tasks such as applying for grants, developing budgets, negotiating contracts, and designing and printing programs and other promotional materials.
  • Plan and implement fund-raising and promotional activities.
  • Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.
  • Position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.
  • Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
  • Transcribe musical compositions and melodic lines to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style.
  • Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.

Detailed Work Activities

  • assign work to staff or employees
  • audition performers
  • compare musical pitch
  • convey moods or emotions through music
  • direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
  • direct band or orchestra
  • direct talent
  • evaluate talent or individual
  • express creativity through music, dance, or acting
  • hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers
  • monitor worker performance
  • motivate people
  • motivate team members to excel
  • signal directions or warnings to coworkers
  • teach individuals work-related techniques or skills
  • tell stories through musical, visual, or dramatic arts
  • understand printed text, musical notation, or customer instructions

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Army Bands (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Band (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Band Master (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Band Officer (Marine Corps - Warrant Officer only)
  • Bandmaster (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Bandmaster (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Bands Senior Sergeant (Army - Enlisted)
  • Ceremonial Conductor-Drum Major (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Director/Assistant Director "The President's Own" U.S.M.C. Band (Marine Corps - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Director/Assistant Director, The President's Own, U.S. Marine Band (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Director/Assistant Director, The President's Own, U.S. Marine Band (Marine Corps - Warrant Officer only)
  • Drum Major (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Enlisted Band Leader (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Enlisted Conductor (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Music Director (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Premier Band Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Premier Band Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Regional Band Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Regional Band Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Small Ensemble Leader (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Staff Officer, "The President's Own," U.S.M.C. Band (Marine Corps - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Staff Officer, The President's Own, U.S. Marine Band (Marine Corps - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps Officer (Marine Corps - Warrant Officer only)
  • Unit Leader (Navy - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Choral Director
  • Conductor, Orchestra
  • Director, Music