Music Director

Explore This Path

Inspire audiences by leading captivating musical performances and creating original works.
Shape the sound of orchestras, bands, and choirs, bringing music to life with precision.
Transform rehearsals into harmonious masterpieces with your unique artistic vision.

💰 Earn $51K-$168K

📚 Bachelor Degree

⏱️ 24–48 MONTH TRAINING

📈 2.7% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.

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.
Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Bachelor Degree

Career Prospects

Good (Increasing by 1-5%)

Training Time

2 to 4 years

Job Openings

5,100 Annually

Median Earnings

$79,070 in California

$62,590 Nationally

$25K

$50K

$75K

$100K

$125K

$150K

$175K

$200K

$225K

$250K

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Being creative or artistic
Influencing or leading others
Relating with or serving others

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Writing

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Having freedom
Receiving recognition

Deep Dive

Music Director

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years