What Is a Music Conductors Job?

What is a music conductor’s job? A music conductor is a person who leads a group of singers and/or instrumentalists through a work of music. In reading this article, you will learn what that entails and how to become a good music conductor.

Music conductors can work in theater, movies, television, and recording studios.  They can lead orchestras, bands, or choirs that are in schools, communities, or the military. The music conductors job is to lead the group in the interpretation of the music. This includes the tempo (speed), volume, and many other areas that are subject to at least some interpretation on the conductor’s part.  

The music conductor has to plan rehearsals, decide on what pieces will be performed, and other things involved with the workings of a group of musicians. In larger groups, there is often an assistant conductor to shoulder some of the responsibility. 

The qualities of a good conductor include:

• Being comfortable leading a group
• Being able to communicate and motivate
• Being well organized and flexible
• Having a good stage presence
• Having a love of travel
• Being able to establish a connection with the musicians so they respect and understand him.  

How to Become a Music Conductor

Music conductors can play at least one instrument well and often have a degree in music. They have to be able to sight read very well, have an understanding of many genres of music, know something about all the instruments or voices, and have a lot of practical experience.

Here is a list of seven skills needed to be a good music conductor. These are based on guidelines established in 1945 by English conductor Sir Henry Wood:

1. Know all there is to know about music. This can be partially done with a degree in music with an emphasis on conducting.
2. Play every instrument in the orchestra. That means you should learn one string instrument, the piano, and at least a bit about all the rest.  
3. Your sight reading ability needs to be excellent. This is very important in the job of a music conductor.
4. Develop your sensual skills. Your sense of hearing is crucial as you listen for nuances in tone, pitch, and volume.  
5. Your conducting needs to be precise and clear. Conducting is almost an art form, so learn it well. Gestures are made by your hands, head, body, as well as the baton.  
6. Keep all criticism constructive. Establish a strong sense of discipline and learn to get along with different kinds of personalities.
7. Organize a suitable music program, direct the rehearsals and programs, designate soloists, and hire and fire musicians when necessary. Your job is to get the musicians to do what you want and share your vision about the music. 

Famous Composers Who Were Famous Conductors

Many times the composer of a work of music is also given the job of conducting it.  Here are some of the more famous ones:

• Nadia Boulanger was the first woman to conduct a whole program with London's Royal Philharmonic. 
• Jean Sibelius wrote Finlandia which made him a national figure.
• Heitor Villa-Lobos was from Brazil and infused his compositions with Brazilian music.
• Karl Lawrence King was an American who composed marches and shares the title of March King with John Philip Sousa.

Other notable composer/conductors include: Edward Elgar, Carl Orff, Aaron Copland, Richard Wagner, Sergey Rachmaninoff, Leonard Bernstein, Franz Liszt, Edvard Grieg, John Philip Sousa, Edmond Dede, Max Bruch, and Gioachino Rossini.