Music Director
Experience developing band proficiency, evaluating musicians, and preparing and leading ensembles transfers directly to civilian ensemble direction.
How to prepare: Build a conducting portfolio with an authorized rehearsal or performance recording and a sample concert program explaining repertoire choices for the ensemble's abilities.
What the civilian work involves
- Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
- Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
- Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.