"The best part of my job is helping students discover their musical talents and developing their skills through practice and performance. I’ve always loved music, but it was my high school band director who taught me to focus my energy and turn my passion for music into a fulfilling career. The hours I spend studying compositions, creating arrangements tailored to my students’ abilities, guiding and challenging them toward improvements in rehearsals, and collaborating with their parents are worth it.

Seeing the smiles on the faces of students, parents, and the rest of the school faculty and staff during band performances energizes me like nothing else. And when I hear that one of my students chose to turn their into their career — well, that’s music to my ears!"

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Job Description

SOC Code: 27-2041
Music Directors and Composers conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.*

*Source: This information is based on O*NET™ data. O*NET is a trademark registered to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.

Top Job Skills:

• Developing lesson plans
• Operate track switches
• Supervise students
• Mathematical Skills
• Analyzes data

General Work Activities 

• Mental Processes
  • Create musical compositions, arrangements or scores
• Interacting With Others
  • Coordinate musical rehearsals or performances
  • Audition or interview potential performers or staff members
  • Select staff, team members, or performers
  • Direct fundraising or financing activities
  • Negotiate for services
  • Collaborate with others to determine technical details of productions
  • Coordinate artistic activities
  • Coordinate logistics for productions or events
• Information Input
  • Study details of musical compositions

Source: SC Works Online Services (SCWOS)

*All data is factual, but names, Images, and quotations have been adapted to protect the Identity of employees and businesses.

Job Statistics

 

 

Examples of Workforce Areas with Job Openings

• Worklink
• Catawba
• Midlands
• Lowcountry

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area.

Examples of Employers with Job Openings

• First Baptist Church Belton
• Hampton District One Schools
• Southern Baptist Convention
• School District of Pickens County

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area

Related Occupations

• Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
• Choreographers
• Musicians and Singers
• Producers and Directors
• Talent Directors
• Music Therapists

NOTE: All data based on state averages. Information may vary depending on region, experience, and specific employment situation. Last Updated: 2025

Learn More with SCWOS

SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) is the state’s largest job database and provides all of South Carolina's job postings from all major sites, including Monster and Career Builder, in one resource. SCWOS has thousands of positions listed by employers all over the state. To access SCWOS, visit jobs.scworks.org.

Find in-depth breakdowns of occupational statistics such as necessary job certifications, job skills and abilities, current job openings, overview of general work activities, and more by visiting O*NET.org.