Profession choirmaster / choirmistress

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

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Musical genres

    Different musical styles and genres such as blues, jazz, reggae, rock, or indie.

  • Musical theory

    The body of interrelated concepts that constitutes the theoretical background of music.

  • 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.

Skills

  • Work with soloists

    Communicate with solo artists and concert masters to discuss and prepare for performances.

  • Strive for excellence in musical performance

    Continually commit to perfecting your instrumental or vocal performance.

  • Develop musical ideas

    Explore and develop musical concepts based on sources such as imagination or environmental sounds.

  • Plan musical performances

    Schedule rehearsals and music performances, arrange details such as locations, select accompanists and instrumentalists.

  • Direct fundraising activities

    Plan and direct fundraising, sponsoring and promotional activities.

  • Select vocalists

    Select vocalists and individual singers for solos.

  • Conduct guest soloists

    Guide guest solo musicians in addition to ensemble members.

  • Collaborate with music librarians

    Communicate and work together with music librarians to ensure permanent availability of scores.

  • Select musical performers

    Organise auditions and select performers for musical performances.

  • Position musicians

    Position qualified musicians within musical groups, orchestras or ensembles, to obtain a correct balance among instrumental or vocal sections.

  • Supervise musicians

    Guide musicians during rehearsals, live performances or studio recording sessions.

  • 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.

  • Communicate performance aspects

    Use body gestures to shape the music, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, colour, pitch, volume, and other live performance aspects.

  • Engage composers

    Engage services of professional composers to write the score for a music piece.

  • Read musical score

    Read the musical score during rehearsal and live performance.

  • Manage musical staff

    Assign and manage staff tasks in areas such as scoring, arranging, copying music and vocal coaching.

  • Study musical scores

    Study musical scores and develop various interpretations.

  • Work with composers

    Communicate with composers to discuss various interpretations of their work.

  • Coordinate performance tours

    Schedule planning for a series of event dates, plan timetables, organise venues, accommodations and transportation for longer tours.

Optional knowledge and skills

organise cultural events develop cultural activities art-historical values business management principles cultural projects collaborate with choreographers

Source: Sisyphus ODB