Music Directors

<ul><li>Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.</li><li>Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.</li><li>Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.</li><li>Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.</li><li>Audition and select performers for musical presentations.</li><li>Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.</li><li>Position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.</li><li>Perform administrative tasks such as applying for grants, developing budgets, negotiating contracts, and designing and printing programs and other promotional materials.</li><li>Meet with soloists and concertmasters to discuss and prepare for performances.</li><li>Meet with composers to discuss interpretations of their work.</li><li>Conduct guest soloists in addition to ensemble members.</li><li>Assign and review staff work in such areas as scoring, arranging, and copying music, and vocal coaching.</li><li>Confer with clergy to select music for church services.</li><li>Transcribe musical compositions and melodic lines to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style.</li></ul>