Conductors, Composers, and Arrangers

(NOC 5132)

in All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

Conductors, composers, and arrangers include those who conduct bands and orchestras, compose musical works, and arrange instrumental and vocal compositions. They work for symphony and chamber orchestras, bands, choirs, sound recording companies, and orchestras for ballet and opera performances, or they may be self-employed. Conductors, composers, and arrangers usually specialize in music like classical, country, jazz or popular.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

  • Estimate 840 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$16,959

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

Hourly Pay

$13.00

Minimum

$21.00

Median

$40.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$945

Minimum

$11,712

Median

$60,447

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Conductors, composers, and arrangers include those who conduct bands and orchestras, compose musical works, and arrange instrumental and vocal compositions. They work for symphony and chamber orchestras, bands, choirs, sound recording companies, and orchestras for ballet and opera performances, or they may be self-employed. Conductors, composers, and arrangers usually specialize in music like classical, country, jazz or popular.

Job duties

Conductors:

  • Select and interpret musical works and lead bands, orchestras, and choirs during rehearsals and performances.

Composers and songwriters:

  • Create musical compositions like television and film scores, theme music, songs, symphonies, and music for interactive products like video games.

Music arrangers:

  • Adapt and modify musical compositions to convey desired themes and to suit instrumental and vocal performances..

Sample job titles

  • composer
  • conductor
  • lyricist
  • music adapter
  • music arranger
  • music director
  • music writer
  • singer-songwriter-composer
  • songwriter
  • writer-composer-performer

Skills

  • You should be dedicated, motivated, and willing to accept constructive criticism. Talent, creativity, and technical skills are essential. You must be comfortable working with others. Self- discipline and a good business sense are also helpful.

Job 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.

Other considerations

  • Many factors can affect an individual's earnings in these jobs. Therefore, incomes will likely vary greatly throughout the year and from one year to the next. Many people find it necessary to work at other jobs to supplement their income. Experience as a musician is required. Composers often work as arrangers. Musical and creative talent and ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are important hiring criteria.

By the numbers

Quick look

125

employed in 2016

44.0%

employed full-time

32.0%

self employed

44.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
56%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
51.8

median age

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

11,000

employed in 2016

53.3%

employed full-time

29.3%

self employed

55.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
44.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
38.2

median age

Where will I likely work?

50.0%

Halifax

$24,648 median annual income
20.8%

North Shore

N/A
16.7%

Annapolis Valley

N/A
12.5%

Southern

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

40.0%

Other services (except public administration)

32.0%

Arts, entertainment and recreation

12.0%

Educational services

8.0%

Health care and social assistance

8.0%

Information and cultural industries

What is the age of Employment?

25.0%

45-54

17.0%

25-34

17.0%

65+

17.0%

35-44

17.0%

55-64

8.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

29.7%

15-24

15.9%

35-44

15.7%

45-54

15.4%

25-34

14.9%

55-64

Top levels of education

28.0%

Bachelor

N/A
24.0%

High school

N/A
20.0%

Master

N/A
12.0%

College Diploma

N/A
8.0%

Doctorate

N/A

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

26.4%

Bachelor

$17,829 median annual income
24.9%

High school

$7,552 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$22,120 median annual income
13.7%

Less than high school

$2,922 median annual income
7.9%

Master

$36,173 median annual income

Education & training

Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management

College or University Program

These programs prepare students to organize and manage various aspects of the visual arts, performing arts, and entertainment media industries. They include courses in business and financial management, marketing and fund-raising, labour relations for the arts, event promotion and management, product and artist management, and applicable law.

Institutions providing this program

NSCAD University

Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Music

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on the introductory study and appreciation of music and the performing arts. These programs include courses in music, dance, and other performing arts media.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, NS

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Music Performance

College or University Program

These programs prepare students to master musical instruments and performing art as solo and/or ensemble performers. Includes instruction in one or more specific instruments from various instrumental groupings.

Institutions providing this program

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

Music Theory and Composition

College or University Program

These programs focus on the study of the principles of sound manipulation as applied to the creation of music, and the techniques of creating and arranging music. They include courses in aural theory, melody, counterpoint, complex harmony, modulation, chromatics, improvisation, progressions, musical writing, instrumentation, orchestration, electronic and computer applications, studies of specific musical styles, and development of original creative ability.

Institutions providing this program

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

Musicology and Ethnomusicology

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on the systematic study of the forms and methods of music art, and the functions of music, in Western and non-Western societies and cultures. They include courses in music theory, musicological research methods, and studies of specific cultural styles such as jazz, folk music, rock, ethnic musical traditions, and the music of non-Western cultures.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Music Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
Atlantic Federation of Musicians
Halifax, NS
Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada
Toronto, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.