Music Directors

Tasks

Core Tasks Include:

• Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
• 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.
• 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, in order 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.

Supplemental Tasks Include:

• 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.
• Coordinate and organize tours, or hire touring companies to arrange concert dates, venues, accommodations, and transportation for longer tours.
• Collaborate with music librarians to ensure availability of scores.
• Conduct guest soloists in addition to ensemble members.
• Meet with composers to discuss interpretations of their work.
• Engage services of composers to write scores.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.