Conductor

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 notes 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 theatres, concert halls, churches, recording studios, rehearsal rooms and music libraries. Outdoor concert venues like sports' stadiums and stately homes are becoming increasingly popular. They may spend a lot of time travelling in the UK and overseas.

Professional conductors may earn around £400 to £5,000 per concert, depending on their experience and reputation.

A conductor should:

• have excellent musical knowledge
• be able to explain complicated ideas to people from different nationalities
• have motivation and leadership skills
• be interested in music and the history of music.

Competition is fierce for amateurs and professionals alike. 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. Postgraduate courses help graduates to specialise in conducting or other fields of musical study. Most conductors are able to speak a European language other than English. Universities and music schools may lower entry qualifications for mature candidates who can demonstrate talent, determination and relevant experience.

Most conductors spend their entire professional careers studying and improving their skills. This is not usually part of a formal training programme, but is done because they love music. They may also attend workshops and master classes. Some specialist music colleges offer training schemes for outstanding students who are mentored by professional musicians. Some postgraduates are employed as repetiteurs in opera companies. As well as accompanying rehearsals on the piano and coaching the singers, they can observe and learn from established conductors.

It is important for conductors wishing to progress to take on as much amateur and professional conducting work as possible and build a good list of contacts. Many combine conducting with other relevant work, including playing professionally, composing, teaching, community and education work and recording.

For More Information:

Skillset

Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries has a database of job profiles and associated links which includes singers.

www.skillset.org

Incorporated Society of Musicians

The ISM offers a range of free advice for those interested in a career in music. Their most comprehensive overview is a booklet entitled Careers with Music which can be viewed or downloaded online (PDF) at http://www.ism.org/publications/careers.html.

It provides a brief summary of possible career paths within the profession as well as useful advice on the various options and training available. It ends with a useful index of contacts.

www.ism.org

 
Music Managers Forum

www.musicmanagersforum.co.uk

Association of British Orchestras 

www.abo.org.uk 

Send to a friend | Digg this! | Del.icio.us | Added by: Kate Tucker (07/02/2008)