Music Composers, Directors, and Arrangers

Music composers, directors, and arrangers create and arrange music for films, television shows, and concerts.

These musicians may specialize in a particular genre such as classical, jazz, or popular music. They write, arrange, or direct music for symphonies, jazz ensembles, and singers.

Music Composers, Directors, and Arrangers are in the Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications career cluster and the Performing Arts pathway.

Quick Facts

Source: Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and CareerOneStop.

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Most music composers, directors, and arrangers are paid by commission for specific pieces. Commissions may vary depending on the number of musicians and the length of the piece. A piece for a solo instrument may pay up to $4,000. A full-length opera may pay as much as $150,000. Sometimes composers receive royalty payments each time a piece is performed.

Film scores sometimes pay as high as ten percent of the total film budget. This can add up to over $200,000 on a film from a major studio. Composers for television shows may be paid as much as $8,000 per episode. Composers in advertising usually earn a flat fee of 10 to 20 percent of a commercial's budget.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

• Music Directors and Composers

 

Employment

Information on the number of music composers, directors, and arrangers working in Minnesota is not available.

About 38 percent of music composers and directors are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Religious organizations
• Performing arts companies

Outlook

This field is very competitive because there are many talented musicians, but not many music composition and arrangement jobs.

This occupation may be sensitive to the state of the economy. If the economy slows down, companies may be less likely to have new music written for their commercials. Groups that give grants and commissions may also have less money to spend.

Employment Outlook for Music Directors and Composers

	Employment		Employment Change
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
U S	93,200	102,800	9,600	10.3%
Minnesota	1,635	1,808	173	10.6%
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Central Minnesota	178	202	24	13.5%
Northeast Minnesota	116	129	13	11.2%
Northwest Minnesota	220	237	17	7.7%
Southeast Minnesota	146	154	8	5.5%
Southwest Minnesota	146	156	10	6.8%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	833	929	96	11.5%

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.

On the Job

Overview

Music composers, directors, and arrangers create and arrange music for films, television shows, and concerts.


The characters in all the "Star Wars" movies are all quite memorable. They are known for one or two defining characteristics. Perhaps one of the best known characters is Darth Vader. While other characters might be known for how they look or things they say, Vader is probably the only "Star Wars" character who inspires people to hum the tune of the "Imperial March." This is the musical score composed by John Williams. The piece uses brass instruments and the minor key and usually signals Darth Vader's arrival in a scene.Music composers, directors, and arrangers compose and arrange many styles of music. They may specialize in classical, jazz, or popular music. They write, arrange, or direct music for symphonies, jazz ensembles, and singers. They create music for advertising on radio and television. Composers, directors, and arrangers use melody, harmony, tone, and tempo to create unique pieces.

Composers create original scores of music. Some composers are hired to write a piece of music for a film or television show. They may also be hired to write a piece for a specific group of musicians. Composers begin by discussing the piece with the people who commissioned it. They must know the purpose of the piece and any feelings it should convey. This helps composers choose the tempo, instruments, rhythm, and other elements. Once they have this information, composers can begin developing the melody and harmony. For most projects, composers share the work in progress with the people who hired them. Some composers write music from their own inspiration. They must find musicians to play their music to become well-known as a composer.

Music arrangers take existing music and adapt it for various instruments, groups, and styles. For example, a music arranger could change a piece of music originally composed for a symphony orchestra. They may turn it into a piece that can be played by a band that does not have stringed instruments. The arranger decides which notes are to be played by each instrument. Music arrangers also transpose music from one voice to another to meet the needs of the performer. A vocal arrangement can be changed to a different key by a music arranger so the vocalist is able to reach all the notes.

Composers and music arrangers record notes on scored or lined music paper. Sometimes they copy parts from a score for an individual performer or a group of instruments. Some composers and arrangers use computer software to produce scored music.

Music directors use their hands and bodies to gesture to musicians. Their gestures help shape the music being played. They signal to musicians to play louder, softer, faster, slower, or to change the pitch. They make sure musicians and singers are grouped together in certain ways to make sure there is a musical balance.

Music directors audition and select singers or musicians for vocal or instrumental groups. They select music that fits well with the group's talents and abilities. They sometimes adapt musical scores to fit the group's particular style.

Music directors for major orchestras or choirs may oversee a large staff. They assign and review the work of staff in areas such as arranging music or vocal coaching. Some music directors hire composers to write original scores for their group. Most important, music directors direct their group at rehearsals and performances. As they direct, they try to balance tone, harmony, and tempo.

There are several types of music directors. Conductors lead instrumental groups such as orchestras or dance bands. Choral directors lead choirs and glee clubs. They sometimes work with a band or orchestra conductor. These musicians usually perform for live audiences. However, they may also prepare music in recording studios. Some perform for TV, radio, or movie productions.

Many composers, directors, and arrangers have other jobs to help them make a living. Some work as musicians or conductors. Others work as teachers and professors of music.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Get information about who and what instruments will perform the music.
• Audition and select singers or musicians for vocal or instrumental group.
• Choose musical form, such as choir or symphony.
• Study and select music suitable to talents and abilities of group.
• Transcribe music to adapt it to group.
• Determine voice, instrument, tempo, and rhythm to achieve the desired effect.
• Develop melody and harmony. Use knowledge of music theory.
• Adapt music for orchestra or band to various styles.
• Issue assignments and review work of staff.
• Direct group at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects.
• Transcribe musical ideas into notes on scored paper. Use knowledge of music composition.
• Transpose music from one voice or instrument to another.
• Copy parts from score for individual performers.
• Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances. Arrange for accompanists and other additional musicians.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Think creatively.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Communicate with people from outside the organization.
• Work with the public.
• Schedule work and activities.
• Update and use job-related knowledge.
• Develop and build teams.
• Use computers.
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people.
• Coordinate the work and activities of others.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others.
• Coach others.
• Develop goals and strategies.
• Guide, direct, and motivate subordinates.
• Teach others.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a low to medium level of social interaction. Composers and music arrangers sometimes work with musicians. However, they spend much of their time alone. Music directors have more contact with musicians.
• Communicate with others primarily by face-to-face discussions and telephone.
• Are responsible for the results of other workers. This mostly applies to music directors, who guide the performance of several musicians.
• Sometimes work as part of a team.

Physical Work Conditions

• Almost always work indoors. Music directors may work outside for outdoor performances.

Work Performance

• Must be accurate and fully complete all details of the job. Errors could delay production schedules, especially for TV shows.
• May repeat the same activities, especially playing measures of music over and over.
• Make most of their decisions and set daily tasks and goals independently.
• Must meet strict weekly deadlines.

Hours/Travel

• May work part time or full time.
• May have flexible schedules.
• May travel to talk to those who hired them.

Physical Demands

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Sit while working at pianos or computers.
• Stand for long periods of time when directing and conducting.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use fingers or hands to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Education & Training

Preparation

To work as a music composer, director, and arranger, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or GED;
• have a bachelor's degree in music; and
• have one to five years of experience as a musician.

Education after high school

Many music composers, directors, and arrangers receive musical training from a very early age. Take music lessons with private teachers and all of the music courses you can in school. Consider attending special schools or conservatories that specialize in musical training.

Many musicians in this occupation have a bachelor's degree in music. While in school, take courses in music theory, music history, and ear training. Most music schools also offer courses or degrees in music composition and music arranging.

Work experience

Work as a musician in different musical styles is good experience. In general, you need years of experience as a musician before someone will hire you as a music composer or arranger.

On-the-job training

Most music composers, directors, and arrangers are self-employed. Training is through your own initiative and exploration.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be music directors. You need a bachelor's degree to enter this military occupation. Training lasts 20 to 40 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Related Programs (Current training programs available)

• Religious/Sacred Music
• Musical Theatre.
• Music Performance, General
• Music Theory and Composition
• Conducting.
• Voice and Opera
• Music Technology.
• Music, Other
• Music Management and Merchandising

Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)

Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.

• Jazz Studies
• Music Business and Management
• Music Composition and Theory
• Music History
• Music, General
• Musicology and Ethnomusicology
• Piano and Organ
• Sacred Music
• Stringed Instruments
• Voice and Opera Performance

Level of Education

The table below lists the level of education attained by a subset of workers in this occupation. The workers surveyed were between age 25 and 44.

Education level attained	Percentage of workers in this occupation*
Less than high school diploma	5
High school diploma or equivalent	15
Some college, no degree	22
Associate degree	5
Bachelor's degree	31
Master's degree	18
Doctoral (Ph.D.) or professional degree	4

* National data for music directors and composers (SOC 27-2041).

Helpful High School Courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:

• Band
• Chorus
• Music History and Appreciation
• Music Theory
• Orchestra or Strings

Many music composers, directors, and arrangers are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Skills

People in this career need to:

Communicate

• Express ideas clearly when speaking or writing.
• Listen to others, understand, and ask questions.
• Read and understand written information.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Think of new ideas or original and creative ways to solve problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Identify problems and review information. Develop, review, and apply solutions.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

Manage Oneself, People, Time and Things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Decide how to spend money to get the work done and keep track of how the money was used.

Work with People

• Be aware of others' reactions and change behavior in relation to them.
• Use several methods to teach others how to do something.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Look for ways to help people.

Work with Things

• Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Analyze needs and requirements when designing products.

Perceive and Visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Knowledge

People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

• Fine Arts: Knowledge of the methods and concepts needed to create or perform works of art. Areas of knowledge may include music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
• Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of computer hardware and software.
• Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of providing special services to customers based on their needs.
• Administration and Management: Knowledge of managing the operations of a business, company, or group.
• English Language: Knowledge of the meaning, spelling, and use of the English language.
• Communications and Media: Knowledge of producing, sharing, and delivering information or entertainment. This may be through written, spoken, or visual media.
• Education and Training: Knowledge of teaching and the methods involved in learning and instruction.
• Psychology: Knowledge of people, their actions, and mental processes. This may include knowledge of how to treat emotional and behavioral problems.

Interests

People in this career are people who tend to:

• Consider achievement important. They like to see the results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. They like to get a feeling of accomplishment from their work.
• Consider independence important. They like to make decisions and try out ideas on their own. They prefer jobs where they can plan their work with little supervision.
• Consider recognition important. They like to work in jobs which have opportunities for them to advance, be recognized for their work, and direct and instruct others. They usually prefer jobs in which they are looked up to by others.
• Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Consider good working conditions important. They like jobs offering steady employment and good pay. They want employment that fits their individual work style. They may prefer doing a variety of tasks, working alone, or being busy all the time.
• Have artistic interests. They like work activities that deal with artistic forms, designs, and patterns. They prefer work which allows for self expression.
• Have enterprising interests. They like work activities that involve starting up and carrying out projects, especially in business. They like to lead and persuade others, make decisions, and take risks for profit.
• Have social interests. They like work activities that assist others and promote learning and personal development. They like to communicate with others: to teach, give advice, help, or otherwise be of service to others.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Licensing / Certification

Certification Details

Certifications are examinations that test or enhance your knowledge, experience or skills in an occupation or profession.

There are 2 certifications related to this career.

Licensing Details

No State of Minnesota license requirements are found for this career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and CareerOneStop.

Jobs

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Hiring Practices

Many music composers, directors, and arrangers are self-employed. They produce work in a studio and try to sell pieces to music publishers or recording companies. After composers and directors become well-known, they may be hired to produce original pieces.

Advancement Opportunities

Advancement for music composers, directors, and music arrangers depends on talent, consumer tastes, and hard work. Advancement often takes the form of becoming better known. This usually results in getting more work and better pay.

Job Title Examples

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Related Industries

Below are industries related to Music Composers, Directors, and Arrangers you may be interested in reading about. Employers in these industries typically hire Music Composers, Directors, and Arrangers. Click on the names to link to their industry profile.

Amusement And Recreation Services
Education
Motion Pictures And Sound Recording
Performing Arts And Sporting Events

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.