Composer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a composer. Feel free to use our composer job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a composer.
Who is a Composer?
A composer makes or creates music through the application of tonal harmonies and music theory. He or she develops or writes songs for popular and unpopular performers. Also, a composer writes jingles for advertisements and arranges music for films, radio, and television programs. Additionally, they may work in a particular genre such as classical, jazz, pop, RnB, or rock, and are mostly self-employed with varying levels of income. Music composition has been reported to be a keenly competitive field with several talented and creative composers. There are different opportunities for growth and advancement; discipline, communication, and musical ability are some of the qualities required for success. Therefore, this article will elaborate on who a composer is, what a composer does, and the qualifications of a composer. Relatively, the common duties of a composer, essential skills, and steps to becoming a composer will be discussed.
Most composers create original music and use their musical know-how and knowledge to create compelling music and tracks for video games and theatre productions. Depending on the location or setting, some composers work as arrangers. They take an existing piece of music, rebrand it, and arrange it in a new way. That may involve changing which instruments play which parts of the melody. While editing an existing piece of music, a composer might also supplement it with new melodies that are his or her creation. Similarly, a composer can lead orchestras, direct the ensemble, and ensure that they stay on beat and capture the correct sound at the right time. Normally, composers have special training and are capable of playing multiple instruments at a high level as well as an excellent understanding of musical theory and composition. They can analyze scripts and create compelling musical arrangements to go with them. Importantly, a composer often advises musicians on the right choice of music and has musical ears to decipher and make music. Outstanding composers create memorable music and can convey powerful emotions in their compositions.
Though singers belt out tunes on the radio and orchestras play symphonies in concert halls, the music that they perform is penned by composers. Also called creative artists, composers use notes to express their creativity and prepare pieces that are performed live by soloists or recorded by groups to accompany multimedia productions. Some of a composer’s work is centered on using digital sampling and live musicians to craft moods or emotions to heighten what the audience sees on the screen. A composer can be a member of a band, work with lyricists or playwrights to create harmonies and productions including operas; other composers can teach their craft in an educational institution. Freelance composers have flexible work schedules while composers collaborating or employed by others have standard schedules. Arguably, it is extremely difficult for an unknown composer or for almost any composer to get an original musical composition or piece performed. Usually, most composers build on-the-job experience by arranging other people’s music or by working as copyists. Other composers might play an instrument professionally either in a band or a symphony orchestra. To succeed in their roles, composers need hard work, resilience, persistence, and an excellent network in the musical industry.
Starting a career as a composer can provide and afford opportunities for artistic fulfillment and expression. Due to the competitive nature of the industry, it is helpful to learn more about what a composer does and the associated expertise in the field. Hence, consult seasoned professionals in the sector as well as technical and support materials and resources to know the Knitty gritty of the profession. Whilst writing for multiple instruments or vocal ranges, a composer utilizes musical notations that correspond with the specializations of the vocalists or instruments they are writing for. This means one piece of music may contain multiple sets of instructions for each of the sections or musicians’ specific components. For instance, when writing for an orchestra, a composer produces a musical score that allows the group’s conductor to view all the piece’s parts at once. In the score, they may use different clefs; a symbol that represents a pitch for different vocalists and instrument types.
Composer Job Description
Below are the composer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a composer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a composer include the following:
- Compose powerful original pieces of music.
- Analyze projects and specifications and liaise with directors and other stakeholders to gather information before the composition process.
- Compose, produce, and record musical scores and arrangements that complement television shows, movies, commercials, video games, and theatre productions.
- Rearrange existing musical pieces to breathe new life into them.
- Attend rehearsals and studio sessions to provide creative input to actors, directors, and musicians.
- Provide training to instrument players where needed.
- Expand knowledge of musical equipment, software packages, and technical recordings.
- Collaborate with other creative professionals and incorporate their feedback into your work.
- Schedule meetings with producers and directors to discuss contract and project requirements.
- Stay abreast of the latest trends in the genre.
- Communicate any issues to the director or producer on time.
- Travel to meet clients or relocate for the duration of the project.
- Conduct research on classical and modern composition.
- Complete composition revisions and network with industry specialists.
- Regularly attend the theatre to gain new ideas and inspiration.
- Understand different notations and study the music theory.
- Transcribe music for multiple instruments or vocalist types.
- Learn the basic elements of the instruments or vocal ranges to understand their sound and effect on the music.
- Provide instructions for music notes, speed, and rest.
- Write music to fit a theme or mood.
- Determine voices, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the desired effects in a musical composition.
- Use computers and synthesizers to orchestrate, compose, change, or arrange music.
Qualifications
A composer studies film scripts to define musical scores that can be used to create moods or atmospheres. In addition, good composers are willing to experiment and harness their abilities. Although musical talent is the major qualification for a composer, other requirements exist. Nowadays, employers look for the best composers to work in studios, homes, and other solitary work venues. Alongside being able to play at least one instrument and carry a tune, a composer is required to present the following qualifications;
- A bachelor’s degree in music composition, music theory, or a related field is required. Education can be accrued from conservatories and universities while admission may be subject to passing personal auditions or presenting recordings of past work. A degree in musical composition can improve the candidate’s job outlook and help him learn music fundamentals. However, a master’s degree in the aforementioned field is preferred and recommended for career advancement. Other music-related educational qualifications can suffice.
- Experience is essential for the position of a composer. Thus, any previous work-related experience is valid and crucial. The ideal candidate should have years of experience either in composing original pieces of music or in leading the performances of those pieces. Experience composing music for bands or orchestras is an advantage. Ideally, the applicant should possess and present a portfolio of existing work.
- Training and expertise in creating compelling and acoustically appealing arrangements of existing pieces are vital. Similarly, competence in one or more instruments is desirable as well as singing ability.
- Ability to write music notation for different instrument types and vocal ranges.
- Knowledge of the instruments or vocalists you will write for is a bonus.
Essential Skills
Music composition requires discipline, perseverance, and musical ability. Other skills that can help a composer in his or her profession include;
Industry knowledge: Often, a composer needs to develop a thorough understanding of multiple musical aspects to excel. This includes an understanding of the musical theory which focuses on the methods and concepts of music composition. Also, basic knowledge and understanding of instruments or vocalists are vital. This skill enables the composer to know the capabilities of each instrument or musician and subsequently design thoughtful pieces. Relatively, staying abreast of trends and demand when selling a score can help a composer design music others are interested in.
Attention to detail: A composer must be attentive to detail when writing a piece to ensure they include every aspect of the music. Remember, a notation error can change the effect of a piece and confuse the players. Hence, the composer must be incredibly detail-oriented to ensure each note and specification is added accordingly.
Creativity: A composer must develop a creative mind to imagine the interactions between multiple musical components to transcribe music that sounds pleasing or generates a specific reaction. Creativity helps the composer to develop original pieces that can evoke an emotional response from the audience.
Visualization: This skill enables a composer to turn their ideas into songs others can perform. The process each composer uses to create a piece is unique to their style and method; nonetheless, many composers develop an idea for a melody in their head and then create pieces from their initial musings. Some composers use their visualization skills to picture how a piece may sound when played and how the different components would interact with one another.
Communication: The ability to exchange information is important to composers because they rely on musicians to produce their finished pieces using only the instructions they provided in the sheet music. Therefore, communication skills allow the composer to transform ideas into executable directions that others can read and understand.
Musical ability: Perhaps, this is the most important skill to have. Although hard work is essential for growth, musical talent and ability are arguably more essential. Moreover, most composers are musicians; the ability to play multiple instruments can help a composer to write music specifically to each instrument and understand how individual sounds can influence their piece. A basic understanding of how an instrument works can help composers to write thoughtful music.
How to Become a Composer
The following tips should help you start a career as a composer;
- Develop early music skills: To be able to create music, a composer needs to be familiar with the music theory and understand how different instruments sound together. You might join a choir or band in your formative years to develop aural competency. Also, camps designed for young people with musical ability can help foster music skills and provide aspiring composers with the avenue to create original works for camp performances.
- Consider an education: Though not mandatory for individuals who wish to compose popular music, consider education in music. A bachelor’s degree in music composition with a specialty in songwriting, music theory, music fundamentals, or film scoring can suffice. Education is crucial for career growth and advancement. Composition programs often include coursework in music analysis and history, compositional techniques, ear training, and conducting. Aspiring composers may be required to turn in their scores and compositions for evaluation while auditioning.
- Go for career counseling: Because of the variety of career options, meet with a career counselor to create a map for pursuing your career. You can choose to create music for television programs, films, advertisements, or teach depending on your preferences.
- Enroll for graduate education: If you decide to pursue a career in teaching or wish to obtain advanced training, enroll for a master’s or doctorate program.
- Apply for composers roles.
Where to Work
A composer can work in an office, recording studio, or be self-employed. Other employers of composers include performing arts companies, television and radio stations, musical theaters, concert composition, and performance centers, film or movie sets, industrial music, and advertising, music libraries, film scoring companies, video game development firms, and educational institutions.
Composer Salary Scale
The salary for a composer can vary significantly depending on the type of music they create, their skill level, name recognition, and the number of pieces they can produce in a period. Many composers earn money for each minute of finished music they create. They might also work on standalone projects rather than working for a company and earning an annual salary. Thus, the median salary for a composer is estimated to be $55,250 per year according to reports.