Music Directors Go Back to List Direct and conduct instrumental or vocal performances by musical groups, such as orchestras or choirs.

Tasks
	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 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, 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.

Skills
	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.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Knowledge
	Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
	Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
	Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
	Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

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Education & Training   Education:   Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.   Related Experience:   A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $102,805.00 $49.43  $24.11  $26.93 - $61.52  Bridgeport/Stamford $109,659.00 $52.72  $26.97  $32.05 - $66.65  Hartford $99,679.00 $47.92  $23.48  $26.71 - $62.80

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   59   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow about as fast as average, but the number of annual openings will offer somewhat limited job opportunities.

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