A Career as a Conductor or Composer

PRUNEFACE · #1 09-06-2010, 09:15 AM

Over the past few months I have slowly been coming to the conclusion that I want to be a musician -I want it to be my career. I am posting several other threads in various forums to get perspective on several different career paths (A Career as an Orchestral Musician and A Career as a Jazz Musician in Jazz Technique); I assume this subforum is the one to go to for a career as a conductor or composer.
Some of my questions for those of you that are, or have experience in, or know of people in conducting/composing careers:
Where do or how do composers get paid? Are most writing commissioned works, or are they usually "in-residence" with an orchestra and have a salary?

Do most conductors or composers get jobs at colleges or universities to supplement their primary pay? (I'm not saying Juilliard; I mean like the local community college, the local non-flagship university)

Are private students (and teachers!) common in either of these fields? Is there a market for this kind of education? Where would I look to find conducting lessons? Where would I find composition lessons?

Do most conductors have full time jobs conducting? In my area most orchestras only perform during a very short season, and in that season they may do one performance every month or two.

Is a conservatory/school of music education necessary for success as a conductor or a composer? (Subjective I know, but I plan on going to college regardless. I love music. (I don't see this happening) BUT if I realize that I don't want to be a musician I could go to law school/graduate school etc. with a Bachelor of Music.) Do orchestras/audition committees take your education into account when prescreening or even when auditioning you?

Finally, in my area there is very little for me to do musically. I am in the local Northwest Florida Youth Orchestra (which does not play the most exciting bass pieces and last year I was the only bass, could be this year too), the high school Symphonic Band (although I don't get to play anything for the first semester, as they are working on marching music and I'm the only bass/string instrument) and a string ensemble (which plays arrangements of pieces, not the actual piece).
What should I be doing or trying to accomplish as far as performance opportunities and chances to play with others?
I think I am making the most of my situation, but I want advice. Is there anything else I can be doing that I'm not thinking of?
How do I find opportunities to begin conducting, to begin composing and actually getting the works played?

wdnewman · #2 09-08-2010, 08:01 AM

Music is probably the greatest hobby in the world.

It is not a way to make a living. It should not be considered so.

If you are good, I mean really, really good, the outstanding musician not just in your school, but say in your county, then it may be possible for you to get a degree in music education and become a band director. If you are a very, very good at being a band director, then the future might hold a job as a conductor for you. Doubtful, but maybe. Don't count on it.

If you major in music at the university level, you will take composition courses. There you will find out if you are any good at all at composition.

If you just want to play music as a life vocation, I would suggest that you get an associate music degree and then look into one of the military service bands.

Sorry to sound so negative about your dreams, but I went through the same thoughts and ideas. Like I said, music is the worlds greatest hobby.

PRUNEFACE · #3 09-11-2010, 05:13 PM

How did the other conductors of major orchestra's get to where they are? I doubt they did high school's/middle school's.

fdeck · #4 09-11-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRUNEFACE

How did the other conductors of major orchestra's get to where they are? I doubt they did high school's/middle school's.

Virtually every major and regional orchestra has a bio of their conductor online, with more details than they typically give for the players.

DJones · #5 09-11-2010, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdnewman

Sorry to sound so negative about your dreams, but I went through the same thoughts and ideas. Like I said, music is the worlds greatest hobby.

That is a pretty harsh way to look at it, and I completely disagree. You can make a living at music if you are dedicated and are willing to put the time in on your chops. I just finished a bachelors in music performance on double bass and I'm doing well enough that I can almost go full time. The trick is to be versatile as well; doubling competently on electric and upright will get you a lot of work.

The music education is, at least in Canada, the guaranteed way to get employed in the arts. Many people that were in the program with me taking education now have full time teaching contracts, be it with school band completely, or a combination of band and other arts programs in high schools and elementary.

PRUNEFACE · #6 12-10-2010, 06:50 PM

Hmmm...

koricancowboy · #7 12-10-2010, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdnewman

Music is probably the greatest hobby in the world.

It is not a way to make a living. It should not be considered so.

If you are good, I mean really, really good, the outstanding musician not just in your school, but say in your county, then it may be possible for you to get a degree in music education and become a band director. If you are a very, very good at being a band director, then the future might hold a job as a conductor for you. Doubtful, but maybe. Don't count on it.

If you major in music at the university level, you will take composition courses. There you will find out if you are any good at all at composition.

If you just want to play music as a life vocation, I would suggest that you get an associate music degree and then look into one of the military service bands.

Sorry to sound so negative about your dreams, but I went through the same thoughts and ideas. Like I said, music is the worlds greatest hobby.

You are absolutely delusional!

Fletcher Lanning · #8 12-11-2010, 11:04 AM

As with most musical jobs, earing a career as a conductor or a composer will be done using the sweat off your brow; in fact more-so for those two jobs. As a player, you can work and become excellent and audition for a major orchestra and possibly get the gig. As a composer, you have to not only create new music, you have to be responsible for getting it published (possibly) and finding people to play it (whether thats with a large distributor or directly with orchestra conductors). It is a tough road but, if playing music is what you love, it is possible. You won't start at the MET, but, like every industry, there are a wide range of possibilities.

PRUNEFACE · #9 06-10-2011, 07:43 PM

The more I play the more I realize I MUST have a career in music. I am highly interested in conducting now but dont know where to start. I am going to continue my hard work on the bass, both classically and in jazz (thanks again, Ed Fuqua!) but I want to learn more about conducting and would like any recommendations you have with regards to getting started/resources for beginners.

Thanks!