Music Conductor
Music conductors help groups of instrumentalists and singers to interpret and perform pieces of music. They prepare musical scores for performance, and form clear ideas about how they should sound. They then lead a group of performers and help them to realise these ideas, making sure that performers understand their roles and play and sing well together, producing the right harmonies at the right speed.
Conductors work with a range of performers, including amateur and professional orchestras and choruses, church choirs, music students, and youth and community music groups. Some work on stage musicals or recorded soundtracks for film and TV.
Conductors must be flexible about working hours, as daytime, evening and weekend work are all usually required. They work in indoor concert halls, theatres and recording studios, churches and cathedrals, outdoor venues, such as parks and the gardens of stately homes, and schools and other educational settings. Conductors may spend a lot of time travelling in the UK and overseas.
Most conductors earn around £1,000 per concert, but fees vary enormously between £50 and £3,500 per concert. The most acclaimed conductors may earn much more.
A conductor should have:
- excellent musical knowledge and ability
- good communication, people and leadership skills
- confidence working with and motivating a wide range of people, many of whom are highly experienced musicians
- command of a second main European language in addition to English
- an interest in music and the history of music.
Accomplished musical ability is vital and competition for conductor jobs is very strong. Many vacancies and opportunities are not advertised, so it is essential to make good contacts with other people in the music industry.
There are no formal entry requirements for music conductors, but most have a degree in music studied either at university or a specialist music college, or a postgraduate qualification perhaps studied abroad at one of the European or American academies. Applicants to these courses may have to undertake an audition and will usually need to have studied a musical instrument, often the piano, to at least grade 7 or 8. Some of the music schools also offer summer schools, seminars and short courses.
Most conductors spend their entire professional career developing their craft. They are continually studying musical theory and the history of music, as well as practical aspects of conducting. Much of this study is driven by personal motivation and interest, and is not part of any formal training. Practising conductors are listed on the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) register of performers and composers.
The ultimate goal for most is to become a principal conductor, but this requires a strong portfolio of recognised work. Entering competitions can be a way of getting skills noticed. By widening skills and experience, more engagements can be secured.
What is the work like?
A music conductor is the person that leads an orchestra, chorus, opera company, ballet or other musical group. The conductor sets the pace of the music so that all the performers can follow the same rhythm. He or she needs to understand all aspects of the music, including tempo, musical pitch and the overall balance of harmonies.
Conductors are needed for a large range of musical situations, including:
- large professional orchestras and choruses
- amateur orchestras and choirs
- cathedrals and large churches
- musical theatre productions
- operatic and ballet companies
- recorded music, particularly soundtracks for film and TV
- educational, in dedicated music colleges and mainstream schools and colleges.
This might mean taking overall control of a production, or working under an artistic director of an opera, play or musical. Often they will combine conducting with other duties, including performing and teaching. But typically, the conductor will have overall responsibility for:
- planning musical programmes and selecting pieces of music to perform
- interpreting the musical score and developing ideas to transform a piece of music into the finished performance
- training musicians on their specific parts, and balancing instruments and voices against each other
- running rehearsals and providing constant feedback
- directing musicians and performers during each performance, providing timings and cues.
Conductors often specialise in a particular musical genre, perhaps the work of contemporary composers or early music.
Hours and environment
There are no set working hours for conductors. As well as taking part in rehearsals and performances, many combine conducting with teaching and training performers. Evening and weekend working is common, and there can be a lot of travel required, within the UK and abroad, as conductors will accompany their musical group on performance tours or competitions. This may require staying away from home for lengthy periods. Highly acclaimed conductors receive engagement bookings many months, sometimes years, in advance.
Conductors will often spend many hours at home preparing for performances by studying scores and exploring new works.
Conductors may work in a variety of environments, from indoor concert halls, theatres and recording studios, churches and cathedrals, to outdoor venues such as parks and the gardens of stately homes. They can also work in schools and other educational settings.
Salary and other benefits
There is no formal salary structure for conductors and annual income depends on the number and type of performances given. Payment can range from receiving travel expenses only, up to huge fees for top international conductors. Established professional conductors usually have an agent who negotiates fees on their behalf with concert promoters and orchestra managers.
- A conductor starting out can earn around £360 per concert.
- Most conductors earn around £1,000 per concert, but fees vary enormously between £50 and £3,500 per concert.
- The most acclaimed conductors may earn much greater sums.
Skills and personal qualities
Music conductors need:
- to be accomplished musicians and performers themselves, playing an array of instruments, almost certainly including the piano
- excellent musical knowledge
- excellent people and communication skills
- an authoritative presence, with excellent leadership ability
- good persuasion skills
- the ability to work flexibly and travel to different projects
- to be confident working with a wide range of people, many of whom are highly experienced musicians
- a command of a second (preferably more) main European language, in addition to English, usually German, French and/or Italian.
Interests
It helps to be interested in:
- music and the history of music
- creative and performing arts in general.
Getting in
Conductors can work for large professional orchestras and choirs, for amateur orchestras and choirs, in cathedrals and churches, for musical shows in the theatre, on TV and film productions and for music colleges. Permanent jobs for conductors are very limited, and most work on a freelance basis.
Few jobs are ever advertised, so networking is essential. Accomplished musical ability is vital and competition for conductor jobs is very strong.
The majority of conductors train first in an instrument, mainly keyboard, and many work for a while as répétiteurs or as assistants to conductors. This involves providing musical accompaniment right through rehearsals, and coaching the singers, whilst also observing the conductor at work. Entrants, even for these posts, would usually work on a voluntary basis initially, to illustrate their capabilities. The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) website has lots of useful information about careers with music.
Entry routes
Due to competition, most conductors have a degree plus a postgraduate qualification in music. It's possible to study these at both university and a specialist music college. Entry requirements for a degree course vary, but generally are a minimum of five GCSEs (A*-C) and two A levels, or equivalent qualifications. Applicants to these courses may have to undertake an audition and will usually need to have studied a musical instrument, often the piano, to at least grade 7 or 8. Candidates should check exact entry requirements with individual institutions.
After studying a degree course, most aspiring conductors go on to complete a postgraduate course in conducting at a music college, perhaps abroad at one of the European or American academies. Here it may be possible to work as a deputy or assistant conductor to get the experience and contacts necessary to carve out a successful career. Some of the music schools also offer summer schools, seminars and short courses, which can provide valuable training.
The Association of British Orchestras offers seminars for school-leavers and graduates interested in working in the profession, and it has links with all the orchestras.
Training
Trainee posts and professional scholarships may be offered by organisations, such as the BBC and the Royal Opera House in London. These students will have usually achieved a high level of conducting skill through their postgraduate work and studies.
Most conductors spend their entire professional career developing their craft. They are continually studying musical theory and the history of music, as well as practical aspects of conducting. Much of this study is driven by personal motivation and interest, and is not part of any formal training.
The Association of British Choral Directors and Young Choirs (formerly the British Federation of Young Choirs) also organise regular seminars. Practising conductors are listed on the ISM register of performers and composers.
Getting on
The ultimate goal for most is to become a principal conductor, but this requires a strong portfolio of recognised work. Entering competitions can be a way of getting skills noticed by the right people.
Progression is constant and conductors need to widen their experience and stretch themselves personally. Once a strong reputation has been established the offer of more engagements should follow.
Further information
Association of British Choral Directors. Website: http://www.abcd.org.uk/
Association of British Orchestras, 20 Rupert Street, London W1D 6DF. 020 7287 0333. Website: http://www.abo.org.uk/
Creative & Cultural Skills, Lafone House, The Leathermarket, Weston Street, London SE1 3HN. 020 7015 1800. Websites: http://www.ccskills.org.uk/ and www.creative-choices.co.uk/music
Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM), 10 Stratford Place, London W1C 1AA. 020 7629 4413. Website: http://www.ism.org/
The International Artist Managers' Association (IAMA), 23 Garrick Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9BN. 020 7379 7336. Website: http://www.iamaworld.com/
Musicians' Union, 60-62 Clapham Road, London SW9 OJJ. 020 7582 5566. Website: http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/
Further reading
A Career with Music - ISM
Becoming an Orchestral Musician: A Guide for Aspiring Professionals - Giles de la Mare Publishers
The First 10 Years: Establishing a Solo Career - ISM
Working in music - VT Lifeskills
Magazines/journals
BBC Music Magazine
Classical Music
Gramophone
Music Journal - ISM
Music Teacher
Music Week
The Stage
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