Music Composers, Directors, and Arrangers

Career summary

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Composers, directors, and arrangers use melody, harmony, tone, and tempo to create musical compositions. They may create or direct music for symphonies, jazz ensembles, singers, films, television shows, or concerts. They may also create music for advertising on radio and television.

Music composers, directors, and arrangers may specialize in the following types of music:

• Classical
• Jazz
• Popular

Music composers

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 to perform.

Composers discuss 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. Some composers write music from their own inspiration.

Music arrangers

Music arrangers take existing music and adapt it for various instruments, groups, and styles. 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.

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

Music directors use their hands and bodies to direct musicians. They signal to musicians to play louder, softer, faster, slower, or to change the pitch.

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

Music directors for major orchestras or choirs may oversee a large staff. They assign and review the work of staff, such as arranging music or vocal coaching. Some music directors hire composers to write original scores for their group. Music directors direct their group at rehearsals and performances.

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.

Related careers

This career is part of the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Actors
• Art Directors
• Choreographers
• Elementary School Teachers
• Film and Video Editors
• Musicians
• Producers and Directors
• Singers
• Writers

Military careers

• Music Directors

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to music composers, directors, and arrangers.

• 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.

Common work activities

Music composers, directors, and arrangers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Think creatively
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Get information needed to do the job
• Schedule work and activities
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Use computers
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Perform for or work with the public
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Develop and build teams
• Document and record information
• Perform administrative tasks
• Develop goals and strategies
• Process information
• Monitor and control resources
• Analyze data or information
• Teach others
• Coach others
• Guide, direct, and motivate others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, music composers, directors, and arrangers:

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

Music composers, directors, and arrangers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for music composers, directors, and arrangers to be able to:

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

It is not as important, but still necessary, for music composers, directors, and arrangers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.

Skills and abilities

Music composers, directors, and arrangers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

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

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.

Perceive and visualize

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

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Music Composition and Theory
• Music, General

Other programs of study to consider

• Dramatic Arts
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Jazz Studies
• Keyboard Instruments
• Music Business and Management
• Music History
• Music Technology
• Musicology and Ethnomusicology
• Sacred Music
• Stringed Instruments
• Voice and Opera Performance
• Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion Music Performance

Training

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

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• 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.

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 career 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. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

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.

Costs to workers

Some composers and music arrangers may wish to join a union or professional association, which may have an initiation fee and annual dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Composers 
• Music Arrangers and Orchestrators 
• Music Directors 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Currently, there is no specific statewide wage information available for music arrangers.

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

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.

Self-employed music composers, directors, and arrangers must provide their own health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 28% of music composers and directors are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Religious organizations
• Performing arts companies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is expected to show little to no change. Competition for jobs is very strong 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.

Other resources

American Federation of Musicians 
1501 Broadway, Ninth Floor
New York, NY 10036
212.869.1330

American Guild of Musical Artists 
1430 Broadway, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10018
212.265.3687

American Musicological Society 
20 Cooper Square floor 2
New York, NY 10003

American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers 

Artist Trust 
1835 - 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
866.218.7878
206.467.8734

College Music Society 
312 East Pine Street
Missoula MT 59802

International Modeling and Talent Association 

Music Publishers Association 

National Alliance for Musical Theater 
520 Eighth Avenue Suite 301
New York, NY 10018

National Endowment for the Arts 
400 - 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20506
202.682.5400

National Flute Association 
70 East Lake Street, #200
Chicago, IL 60601

Percussive Arts Society 
110 W. Washington Street Suite A
ndianapolis, IN 46204

Songwriters Guild of America 

References

Career cluster

• Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications

Career path

• Artistic

O*Net  occupations

• Music Composers and Arrangers (27-2041.04) 
• Music Directors (27-2041.01) 

O*Net job zones 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Arranger (152.067-010) 
• Choral Director (152.047-010) 
• Composer (152.067-014) 
• Conductor, Orchestra (152.047-014) 
• Copyist (152.267-010) 
• Director, Music (152.047-018) 
• Orchestrator (152.067-022) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Artistic/Enterprising/Conventional
• Artistic/Enterprising/Social

COPSystem

• Arts Professional