# Music Directors and Composers

> 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.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 27-2041.00
- **Summary:** 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.

## Aliases

- Choir Director
- Conductor
- Music Composer
- Music Director
- Arranger
- Composer
- Music Producer
- Orchestra Director
- Songwriter
- Artistic Director
- Band Director
- Band Leader

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects. | Core | 4.A.4.b.1.d |
| Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo. | Core | 4.A.4.b.1.d |
| Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.a |
| Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.t |
| Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.r |
| Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.t |
| Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.t |
| Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.t |
| Audition and select performers for musical presentations. | Core | 4.A.4.c.2.a |
| Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists. | Core | 4.A.4.b.1.d |
| Write musical scores for orchestras, bands, choral groups, or individual instrumentalists or vocalists, using knowledge of music theory and of instrumental and vocal capabilities. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.t |
| Position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections. | Core | 4.A.4.b.1.d |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Coordinate musical rehearsals or performances. | 4.A.4.b.1.d |
| Study details of musical compositions. | 4.A.1.a.1.a |
| Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores. | 4.A.2.b.2.t |
| Determine presentation subjects or content. | 4.A.2.b.2.r |
| Audition or interview potential performers or staff members. | 4.A.4.c.2.a |
| Select staff, team members, or performers. | 4.A.4.c.2.a |
| Design layout of art or product exhibits, displays, or promotional materials. | 4.A.2.b.2.o |
| Negotiate for services. | 4.A.4.a.7.b |
| Direct fundraising or financing activities. | 4.A.4.b.4.h |
| Collaborate with others to determine technical details of productions. | 4.A.4.a.2.h |
| Collaborate with others to prepare or perform artistic productions. | 4.A.4.a.8.a |
| Coordinate artistic activities. | 4.A.4.b.1.d |
| Study scripts to determine project requirements. | 4.A.1.a.1.a |
| Coordinate logistics for productions or events. | 4.A.4.b.4.j |
| Operate audio recording equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.e |
| Stay informed about current developments in field of specialization. | 4.A.2.b.3.a |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fine Arts | knowledge | 4.72 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | ability | 4.25 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.88 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.79 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.75 |
| Fluency of Ideas | ability | 3.75 |
| Originality | ability | 3.75 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.75 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.62 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.62 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.62 |
| Auditory Attention | ability | 3.62 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.5 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.5 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.5 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.5 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.5 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.5 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.5 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.5 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.5 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 3.49 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.39 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.38 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Persuasion | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Social Perceptiveness | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.12 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.12 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.12 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.09 |
| Philosophy and Theology | knowledge | 3.08 |
| Negotiation | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Systems Evaluation | transferable_skill | 3 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Publisher | Specialized Skill |
| Cakewalk Sonar | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| Anvil Studio | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Apple Final Cut Pro | Video creation and editing software | no | no |
| Apple MainStage | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Arobas Music Guitar Pro | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Arpege Music Pizzicato | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Audacity | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Audio Chaos Soundscape Generator | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Audiveris | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Avid Pro Tools | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Avid Technology Sibelius | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Azemus FS | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Basic Music Composer | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Cakewalk SONAR | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Canorus | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| ChordWizard Software Soundtrix Gold | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Click MusicalKEYS | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Curto Drum | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| D'accord Music Software iChords | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Denemo | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Desktop Piano and Drums | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| DigiPiano | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Dream Computer Piano | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Easy Music Composer Free | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Epinoisis Software Digital Ear | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| FlexiMusic Composer | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| GenieSoft Overture | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| HS Virtual Piano | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| IK Multimedia GrooveMaker | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Image-Line FL Studio | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Impro-Visor | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Jackbeat | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Javamin Composer | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Korg EM-1 Editor | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Lauriso Software Music Publisher | Music or sound editing software | no | no |
| Little Piano | Music or sound editing software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4.7 |
| E-Mail | 4.58 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 4.55 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.47 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.37 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.34 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.21 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.2 |
| Contact With Others | 4.17 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.92 |
| Time Pressure | 3.92 |
| Public Speaking | 3.84 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.81 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.81 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.64 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.61 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.55 |
| Level of Competition | 3.55 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 3.44 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.37 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.35 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 3.3 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.28 |
| Spend Time Standing | 2.89 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.7 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 2.62 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.42 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 2.38 |
| Consequence of Error | 2.06 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 2.02 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 1.89 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 1.73 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 1.64 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | 1.63 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 1.55 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 1.5 |
| Degree of Automation | 1.35 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 1.32 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 1.3 |
| Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People | 1.29 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 4
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- **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.
- **Svp Range:** (7.0 to < 8.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Master's Degree | 28.21 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 24.02 |
| Doctoral Degree | 20.62 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 7.89 |
| Some College Courses | 6.2 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 5.11 |
| High School Diploma | 3.8 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 2.21 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dependability | work_style | 9 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 8 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 7 |
| Music | specific_interest_area | 7 |
| Intellectual Curiosity | work_style | 7 |
| Performing Arts | specific_interest_area | 6.04 |
| Management/Administration | specific_interest_area | 6 |
| Achievement Orientation | work_style | 6 |
| Media | specific_interest_area | 5 |
| Social Orientation | work_style | 5 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 4.82 |
| Applied Arts and Design | specific_interest_area | 4.37 |
| Public Speaking | specific_interest_area | 4.37 |
| Adaptability | work_style | 4 |
| Humanities | specific_interest_area | 3.51 |
| Teaching/Education | specific_interest_area | 3.2 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 27-2042.00 | role-27-2042-00 | Musicians and Singers | Primary-Short |
| 27-2032.00 | role-27-2032-00 | Choreographers | Primary-Short |
| 25-1121.00 | role-25-1121-00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Primary-Short |
| 27-2012.00 | role-27-2012-00 | Producers and Directors | Primary-Short |
| 27-2012.04 | role-27-2012-04 | Talent Directors | Primary-Short |
| 29-1129.02 | role-29-1129-02 | Music Therapists | Primary-Long |
| 27-3043.05 | role-27-3043-05 | Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | Primary-Long |
| 27-1011.00 | role-27-1011-00 | Art Directors | Primary-Long |
| 27-2012.03 | role-27-2012-03 | Media Programming Directors | Primary-Long |
| 27-4032.00 | role-27-4032-00 | Film and Video Editors | Primary-Long |
| 27-2011.00 | role-27-2011-00 | Actors | Supplemental |
| 27-4014.00 | role-27-4014-00 | Sound Engineering Technicians | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Arts, Entertainment, & Design | arts-entertainment-design |

## Education Level

- **Category:** Bachelor's degree

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Theology and Religious Vocations | theology-and-religious-vocations |
| Visual and Performing Arts | visual-and-performing-arts |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 63670
- **Mean Wage:** 84230
- **Pct10Wage:** 34990
- **Pct25Wage:** 47330
- **Pct75Wage:** 96590
- **Pct90Wage:** 157010
- **Employment:** 12330
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 71 | 71 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | Sector | 5100 | 72530 | 24.14 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 3550 | 60510 | 10.03 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 2220 | 56850 | 2.04 |
| 51 | 51 | Information | Sector | 1200 |  | 5.16 |
| 711110 | 711110 | Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters | National industry | 400 | 74970 | 69.1 |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 50 | 55810 |  |
| 516110 | 516110 | Radio Broadcasting Stations | National industry | 40 | 69340 |  |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector |  | 96590 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 711110 | 711110 | Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters | National industry | 400 | 69.1 |
| 71 | 71 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | Sector | 5100 | 24.14 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 3550 | 10.03 |
| 51 | 51 | Information | Sector | 1200 | 5.16 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 2220 | 2.04 |
- **Count:** 8

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.015 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | 0.8829641 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 0.0180142 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | 1.03168 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 63
- **Percentile:** 62
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 69 | felten_aioe |
| 77 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 44 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | 0.8829641 | 69 | High | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.894736842105263 | 77 | High | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.1365966167965151 | 44 | Moderate | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.015
- **Percentile:** 11
- **Band:** Low
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** yes

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.5263157894736842
- **Beta:** 0.7105263157894737
- **Gamma:** 0.894736842105263

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Study films or scripts to determine how musical scores can be used to create desired effects or moods. | 0.008627454202597275 | 3.47 |
| Transpose music from one voice or instrument to another to accommodate particular musicians. | 0.007600376321335695 | 3.75 |
| Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers. | 0.006059759499443323 | 4.18 |
| Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies. | 0.005032681618181743 | 4.52 |
| Perform administrative tasks such as applying for grants, developing budgets, negotiating contracts, and designing and printing programs and other promotional materials. | 0.005032681618181743 | 3.86 |
| Rewrite original musical scores in different musical styles by changing rhythms, harmonies, or tempos. | 0.004621850465677112 | 3.66 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -0.3
- **Growth Percentile:** 25
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 4.3
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 45
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 47.3
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 47.2

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 30
- **Skills:** 38
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 86
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** f69299060cff97ac