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Music Careers
Symphony and Orchestra

Symphony and Orchestra Careers

Passionate about Classical Music? Learn about careers in Performance and Administration with Symphonies, Orchestras, Choirs, and more.

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Orchestrator

Orchestrators transpose music and write scores based off a Composer’s initial draft or sketch. Learn More Avg. Salary: $62,377 Salary Range: $13K-$175K Alt Titles: None

Leads violin section of the orchestra, performs as a soloist, decides on bowings for the first violins, and works closely with the Conductor. Learn More Salary Range: Up to $621,510 Alt Titles: Section Leader, 1st Violinist

Conductor

Conductors lead orchestras, operas, and other musical ensembles during live performances. Learn More Avg. Salary: $49,435 Salary Range: $25K-$148K Alt Titles: Chief Conductor, Principle Conductor, Maestro, Music Director

Music Librarian

Music Librarians answer reference questions, interact with the public, process donations, and help catalogue and sometime digitize collections. Learn More Avg. Salary: $55,169 Salary Range: $38K-$89K Alt Titles: Librarian

Personnel Director

Personnel Directors handle human resources for the orchestra, hiring musicians and ensuring their working conditions are up to par. Learn More Avg. Salary: $82,213 Salary Range: $25K - $133K Alt Titles: Personnel Manager

Section Leader

Leads a section of the orchestra, sometimes supervises rehearsals with the section, and assigns parts to musicians. Learn More Avg. Salary: $66,817 Salary Range: $33K - $113K Alt Titles: None

Director of Public Relations

Coordinates press and promotions of orchestra, may handle advertising. Learn More Avg. Salary: $94,890 Salary Range: $62K-$138K Alt Titles: PR Director, Director of Press Relations, Publicity Director

Symphony performing on stage at outdoor amphitheatre

Symphony Business Manager

Supervises general accounting, including accounts payable and receivable and sourcing competitive bidding for office equipment. Attends board meetings and staffs finance committees. Learn More Avg. Salary: $63,388 Salary Range: $39K to $97K Alt Titles: Business Manager, Director of Business Operations, Finance Director

Symphony orchestra violinists performing on stage against dark background

Managing Director

Managing Directors oversee the orchestra’s daily operations, strategic planning, and the different departments responsible for fundraising, event production, and so on. Learn More Avg. Salary: $200,184 Salary Range: $90K-$320K Alt Titles: Executive Director

Musical gear in flight boxes on outdoor concert stage

Stage Manager

A Stage Manager makes sure the day-to-day operations of a concert hall or other musical venue run smoothly. Learn More Avg. Salary: $54,000 Salary Range: $29K - $67K Alt Titles: None

Section Member

Rehearses, performs, and sometimes records with an orchestra. Learn More Avg. Salary: $60,229 Salary Range: $40K - $80K Alt Titles: Classical Musician, Section Player

Subscriptions & Ticket Service Director talking on the phone with potential donor

Subscriptions and Ticket Service Director

Manages the day-to-day operations of the ticketing offices, maintains the ticketing system, ensures patrons receive their tickets, and supervises the box office. Learn More Avg. Salary: $93,776 Salary Range: $58K - $142K Alt Titles: Head of Subscriptions, Ticket Service Director, Ticket Services Manager

Orchestra Manager

Orchestra Managers handle contracts with musicians, venues, and vendors. They also help manage rehearsals, event logistics, and operations personnel. Learn More Avg. Salary: $61,500 Salary Range: $49K-$74K Alt Titles: General Manager, Vice President of Operations

Female director of development on cell phone looking at laptop in open plan office