Choirmaster/choirmistress

Description

Choirmasters/choirmistresses manage various aspects of the vocal, and sometimes instrumental, performances of musical groups, such as choirs, ensembles, or glee clubs.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to choirmaster/choirmistress:

choral director
choir leader
choir director
choirmistress
choirmaster

Minimum qualifications

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as choirmaster/choirmistress. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Choirmaster/choirmistress is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Choirmaster/choirmistress career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to choirmaster/choirmistress.

music arranger
musical conductor
music director
musician
composer

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of choirmaster/choirmistress. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of choirmaster/choirmistress with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of choirmaster/choirmistress.

Musical genres: Different musical styles and genres such as blues, jazz, reggae, rock, or indie.
Music literature: Literature about music theory, specific music styles, periods, composers or musicians, or specific pieces. This includes a variety of materials such as magazines, journals, books and academic literature.
Musical theory: The body of interrelated concepts that constitutes the theoretical background of music.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of choirmaster/choirmistress.

Manage musical staff: Assign and manage staff tasks in areas such as scoring, arranging, copying music and vocal coaching.
Work with soloists: Communicate with solo artists and concert masters to discuss and prepare for performances.
Develop musical ideas: Explore and develop musical concepts based on sources such as imagination or environmental sounds.
Supervise music groups: Direct music groups, individual musicians or complete orchestras at rehearsals and during live or studio performances, in order to improve the overall tonal and harmonic balance, dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
Study musical scores: Study musical scores and develop various interpretations.
Engage composers: Engage services of professional composers to write the score for a music piece.
Plan musical performances: Schedule rehearsals and music performances, arrange details such as locations, select accompanists and instrumentalists.
Coordinate performance tours: Schedule planning for a series of event dates, plan timetables, organise venues, accommodations and transportation for longer tours.
Collaborate with music librarians: Communicate and work together with music librarians to ensure permanent availability of scores.
Conduct guest soloists: Guide guest solo musicians in addition to ensemble members.
Supervise musicians: Guide musicians during rehearsals, live performances or studio recording sessions.
Position musicians: Position qualified musicians within musical groups, orchestras or ensembles, to obtain a correct balance among instrumental or vocal sections.
Work with composers: Communicate with composers to discuss various interpretations of their work.
Select vocalists: Select vocalists and individual singers for solos.
Select musical performers: Organise auditions and select performers for musical performances.
Read musical score: Read the musical score during rehearsal and live performance.
Communicate performance aspects: Use body gestures to shape the music, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, colour, pitch, volume, and other live performance aspects.
Direct fundraising activities: Plan and direct fundraising, sponsoring and promotional activities.
Strive for excellence in musical performance: Continually commit to perfecting your instrumental or vocal performance.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of choirmaster/choirmistress. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Business management principles: Principles governing business management methods such as strategy planning, methods of efficient production, people and resources coordination.
Cultural projects: The purpose, organisation and management of cultural projects and related fundraising actions.
Art-historical values: The historical and artistic values implied in examples of one’s branch of art.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of choirmaster/choirmistress. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Develop cultural activities: Develop activities adapted to the outreach and/or audience. Take into account difficulties and needs observed and identified from the perspective of enhancing curiosity and general capability to access to art and culture.
Collaborate with choreographers: Collaborate with choreographers in order to learn, develop or to redefine and/or modify dance moves and choreographies.
Organise cultural events: Arrange events in cooperation with local stakeholders which promote local culture and heritage.

ISCO group and title

2652 – Musicians, singers and composers

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Choirmaster/choirmistress – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022