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.
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Personality Type
- Artistic / Enterprising
Knowledge
- 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.
Skills
- Study musical scores
Study musical scores and develop various interpretations.
- Strive for excellence in musical performance
Continually commit to perfecting your instrumental or vocal performance.
- Transpose music
Transposing music into an alternate key while keeping the original tone structure.
- Conduct guest soloists
Guide guest solo musicians in addition to ensemble members.
- 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.
- Write musical scores
Write musical scores for orchestras, ensembles or individual instrumentalists using knowledge of music theory and history. Apply instrumental and vocal capabilities.
- Plan musical performances
Schedule rehearsals and music performances, arrange details such as locations, select accompanists and instrumentalists.
- Position musicians
Position qualified musicians within musical groups, orchestras or ensembles, to obtain a correct balance among instrumental or vocal sections.
- Work with soloists
Communicate with solo artists and concert masters to discuss and prepare for performances.
- Engage composers
Engage services of professional composers to write the score for a music piece.
- Communicate performance aspects
Use body gestures to shape the music, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, colour, pitch, volume, and other live performance aspects.
- 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.
- Coordinate performance tours
Schedule planning for a series of event dates, plan timetables, organise venues, accommodations and transportation for longer tours.
- Identify characteristics of music
Identify the elemental, structural, and stylistic characteristics of music from various periods and cultures.
- Select musical performers
Organise auditions and select performers for musical performances.
- Study music
Study original pieces of music to get well acquainted with music theory and history.
- Manage musical staff
Assign and manage staff tasks in areas such as scoring, arranging, copying music and vocal coaching.
- Collaborate with music librarians
Communicate and work together with music librarians to ensure permanent availability of scores.
- Work with composers
Communicate with composers to discuss various interpretations of their work.
- Transcribe musical compositions
Transcribe musical compositions in order to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style.
- Participate in music studio recordings
Take part in recording sessions in music studios.