51121
Conductors, composers and arrangers
Conductors, composers and arrangers conduct bands and orchestras, compose musical works and arrange instrumental and vocal compositions. They are employed by symphony and chamber orchestras, bands, choirs, sound recording companies, and orchestras for ballet and opera performances, or they may be self-employed.
Employment Outlooks
Economic Region Outlooks
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Salary Information
National wage data for this occupation
Entry-level
CA$15.80
/hr
Typical
CA$17.31
/hr
Experienced
CA$48.56
/hr
Average: CA$23.22/hr
Source: Job Bank Canada. Wages may vary by region and experience.
Examples
Illustrative Examples
- arranger
- bandmaster
- choir director
- composer
- conductor
- music adapter
- orchestrator
- singer-songwriter-composer
- songwriter
All Examples
- motion picture musical director
- music adapter
- music arranger
- music copyist
- arranger
- artistic director - music
- author-composer-performer
- band conductor
- band director
- bandmaster
- chansonnier
- choir director
- choir leader
- choirmaster
- choral conductor
- choral director
- chorus master
- composer
- conductor
- copyist - music
- lyricist
- maestro
- music director
- music writer
- musical director
- orchestra artistic director
- orchestral conductor
- orchestrator
- orchestrator-arranger
- singer-songwriter-composer
- songwriter
- stage musical director
- television musical director
- writer-composer-performer
Main Duties
Main Duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Conductors
- Select and interpret musical works and lead bands, orchestras and choirs during rehearsals and performances.
- Composers
- Create musical compositions such as television and film scores, theme music, songs, symphonies and music for interactive products such as video games.
- Arrangers
- Adapt and modify musical compositions to convey desired themes and to suit particular instrumental and vocal performances.
- Conductors, composers and arrangers usually specialize in a particular genre of music such as classical, country, jazz or popular music.
Requirements
Employment Requirements
- A university degree in music or completion of a program at a music academy, conservatory or school of music is usually required.
- A period of specialized study related to conducting, composing or arranging is usually required.
- Experience as a musician is required.
- Musical and creative talent and ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are important hiring criteria.