Conductor Job Description

Musical conductors create their own interpretations of the musical works of composers by directing performers in musical groups such as orchestras, concert bands, marching bands, symphony orchestras, jazz bands and others.

Typical Job Duties

• Conduct ensemble members as well as guest soloists

• Use conducting motions to direct musicians and help develop tempo, pitch and tone

• Keep musicians in time

• Select music that is appropriate to the talents, abilities and strengths of the group

• Contact and meet with composers in order to discuss possible interpretations of their music

• Perform administrative tasks such as scheduling performances, negotiating recording contracts and budgeting

• Work with marketing staff to produce promotional and advertising materials

• Liaise with music librarians to ensure that certain musical scores are available

Scholarships for Becoming a Conductor

The Applicable Majors section below shows fields of study relevant to a career as a Conductor. You can search for scholarships matched to those fields of study on our Music Scholarships and Theatre Scholarships pages.

Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any scholarships that you even barely qualify for, as there are millions of dollars of scholarships that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants!