Music Director
Serving as a principal or assistant band director, coordinating performances, and directing internal training transfers directly to civilian ensemble direction.
How to prepare: Assemble a conducting portfolio with rehearsal and performance recordings plus a sample concert program tailored to the ensemble you want to direct.
What the civilian work involves
- Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
- Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
- Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.