Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Design, media, and writing / 27-2041.00

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.

US jobs
12,540
Median wage
$73,710 a year
Job family
Design, media, and writing

Can agents do the work of music directors and composers?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Design, media, and writing: Unmeasured (no change in 12 months)

No direct benchmark gives a success rate.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 51%Create artistic designs or performancesNot measured
  • 20%Coordinate artistic or entertainment activitiesNot measured
  • 7%Study details of artistic productionsNot measured
  • 6%Present arts or entertainment performancesNot measured
  • 4%Develop news, entertainment, or artistic contentNot measured
  • 4%Perform recruiting or hiring activitiesNot measured
  • 3%Communicate with others about specifications or project detailsNot measured
  • 2%Direct organizational operations, activities, or proceduresNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in design, media, and writing, not always this occupation's tasks.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Context only

These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
  • Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
  • Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
  • Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
  • Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
  • Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
  • Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas.
  • Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers.
  • Audition and select performers for musical presentations.
  • Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.
  • Write musical scores for orchestras, bands, choral groups, or individual instrumentalists or vocalists, using knowledge of music theory and of instrumental and vocal capabilities.
  • Position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.
Other job titles for this occupation (45)

Arranger · Choir Director · Composer · Conductor · Music Composer · Music Director · Music Producer · Orchestra Director · Songwriter · Artistic Director · Band Director · Band Leader · Band Master · Children's Choir Director · Choir Leader · Choirmaster · Choral Activities Director · Choral Director · Chorus Master · Conceptor · Digital Composer · Film Composer · Handbell Choir Director · High School Band Director · Jingle Writer · Leadership Director · Liturgical Music Director · Maestro · Marching Band Director · Middle School Band Director · Music Adapter · Music Arranger · Music Arts Director · Music Manager · Music Minister · Music Ministries Director · Music Orchestrator · Music Pastor · Music Supervisor · Music Writer · Musical Director · Orchestra Conductor · Orchestra Leader · Orchestrator · Score Composer