Musical conductor

Description

Musical conductors lead ensembles of musicians directing them during rehersals and helping them atteining their best performance. They can work with a variety of ensembles such as choirs and orchestras. Musical conductors adjust the tempo (speed), rhythm, dynamics (loud or soft) and articulation (smooth or detached) of the music using gestures and sometimes dancing to motivate the musicians to play according to the music sheet.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to musical conductor:

choir leader
band leader
choir director
music conductor
orchestra music director
principal conductor
concert master
orchestra conductor
choir conductor
musical director
choral conductor
band master

Minimum qualifications

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as musical conductor. 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.

Musical conductor is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Musical conductor career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to musical conductor.

choirmaster/choirmistress
music arranger
music director
musician
lyricist

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of musical conductor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of musical conductor 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 musical conductor.

Musical instruments: The different musical instruments, their ranges, timbre, and possible combinations.
Link between dance and music style: The relation of a practiced dance style with music structure and musicians.
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 musical conductor.

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.
Select music for performance: Select pieces of music for a live performance. Consider factors such as ensemble abilities, availability of scores and the need for musical variety.
Study music: Study original pieces of music to get well acquainted with music theory and history.
Transpose music: Transposing music into an alternate key while keeping the original tone structure.
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.
Transcribe musical compositions: Transcribe musical compositions in order to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style.
Write musical scores: Write musical scores for orchestras, ensembles or individual instrumentalists using knowledge of music theory and history. Apply instrumental and vocal capabilities.
Position musicians: Position qualified musicians within musical groups, orchestras or ensembles, to obtain a correct balance among instrumental or vocal sections.
Identify characteristics of music: Identify the elemental, structural, and stylistic characteristics of music from various periods and cultures.
Work with composers: Communicate with composers to discuss various interpretations of their work.
Select musical performers: Organise auditions and select performers for musical performances.
Communicate performance aspects: Use body gestures to shape the music, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, colour, pitch, volume, and other live performance aspects.
Participate in music studio recordings: Take part in recording sessions in music studios.
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 musical conductor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Musical genres: Different musical styles and genres such as blues, jazz, reggae, rock, or indie.
Art history: The history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.
History of musical instruments: The historical background and chronology of various musical instruments.

Optional skills and competences

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

Safeguard artistic quality of performance: Observe the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.
Manage budgets: Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Create musical forms: Create original musical forms, or write within existing musical formats like operas or symphonies.
Guide analysis of a recorded performance: Analyse a preformance video recording by using experts as a model.
Orchestrate music: Assign lines of music to different musical instruments and/or voices to be played together.
Monitor performers: Identify professional, technical and performance skills and talents in each performer. Identify personality traits and unique qualities.
Play musical instruments: Manipulate purpose-built or improvised instruments to produce musical sounds.
Manage contracts: Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes.
Specialise in a musical genre: Specialise in a specific type or style of music.
Make artistic processes explicit: Explain the artistic creation endeavour as an intellectual and/or sensitive process being part of a cultural environment, and as a valuable pursuit of individual development.
Compose music: Compose original pieces music such as songs, symphonies or sonatas.
Select music: Suggest or select music to play back for entertainment, exercise, or other purposes.
Perform music solo: Perform music individually.
Direct fundraising activities: Plan and direct fundraising, sponsoring and promotional activities.
Evaluate musical ideas: Experiment with different sound sources, use synthesizers and computer software, permanently explore and evaluate musical ideas and concepts.

ISCO group and title

2652 – Musicians, singers and composers

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Musical conductor – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022