Profession musical conductor

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.

Personality Type

• Artistic / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Link between dance and music style

  The relation of a practiced dance style with music structure and musicians.

• Musical instruments

  The different musical instruments, their ranges, timbre, and possible combinations.

• 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

• Select musical performers

  Organise auditions and select performers for musical performances.

• 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.

• Coordinate performance tours

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

• Plan musical performances

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

• 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.

• 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.

• Participate in music studio recordings

  Take part in recording sessions in music studios.

• Work with composers

  Communicate with composers to discuss various interpretations of their work.

• Transpose music

  Transposing music into an alternate key while keeping the original tone structure.

• Study musical scores

  Study musical scores and develop various interpretations.

• 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.

• Study music

  Study original pieces of music to get well acquainted with music theory and history.

• 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.

• Transcribe musical compositions

  Transcribe musical compositions in order to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style.

• Manage musical staff

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

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB