What is a Music Director?

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

List of Music Director Job Duties

• Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
• Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
• Confer with clergy to select music for church services.
• Meet with composers to discuss interpretations of their work.
• Conduct guest soloists in addition to ensemble members.
• Coordinate and organize tours, or hire touring companies to arrange concert dates, venues, accommodations, and transportation for longer tours.

Things a Music Director Should Know How to Do

Music Directors state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.

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.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Related Job Titles

• Music Pastor
• Choir Leader
• Orchestra Conductor
• Choir Director
• Music Minister

Is There Job Demand for Music Directors?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 74,800 jobs in the United States for Music Directors and Composers.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.7% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,300 new jobs for Music Directors by 2026. There will be an estimated 7,700 positions for Music Director per year.

The states with the most job growth for Music Directors and Composers are Florida, New York, and Texas.

Watch out if you plan on working in Wisconsin, Vermont, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Music Director Average Salary

The salary for Music Directors and Composers ranges between about $21,640 and $112,820 a year. The median salary for this occupation is $49,630.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Minnesota	$88,570
Connecticut	$77,550
District of Columbia	$77,220
Alabama	$75,050
Georgia	$73,470
New Jersey	$73,320
Florida	$72,420
Washington	$71,980
Wisconsin	$71,350
Indiana	$66,460
New York	$66,120
California	$64,600
Rhode Island	$64,200
Texas	$61,210
Missouri	$60,590
Maryland	$58,570
Arizona	$57,810
Utah	$57,780
Massachusetts	$56,200
Vermont	$56,130
Kansas	$55,290
South Carolina	$53,700
Louisiana	$53,600
Mississippi	$53,000
Iowa	$52,430
Hawaii	$51,230
Michigan	$51,180
Colorado	$50,800
Kentucky	$49,610
North Carolina	$48,920
New Mexico	$48,440
Nebraska	$46,650
Pennsylvania	$46,010
Oregon	$46,000
Ohio	$44,920
Illinois	$40,220
Oklahoma	$38,530
Montana	$29,100

What Tools 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 PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office

How to Become a Music Director

What education is needed to be a Music Director?

What work experience do I need to become a Music Director?

Where Music Directors Are Employed

Related Careers

Those thinking about becoming Music Directors might also be interested in the following careers:

• Music Composers and Arrangers
• Musicians, Instrumental

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons