Choral Conductor Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Choral Conductor

Best Schools to become a Choral Conductor in U.S. 2024

Berklee College of Music

Boston, MA

In-State Tuition:$46,950
Out-of-State Tuition:$46,950
Admission Rate:54%
Graduation Rate:69%
Total Enrollment:8,282

Indiana University-Bloomington

Bloomington, IN

In-State Tuition:$10,012
Out-of-State Tuition:$37,685
Admission Rate:82%
Graduation Rate:81%
Total Enrollment:47,005

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

In-State Tuition:$60,480
Out-of-State Tuition:$60,480
Admission Rate:7%
Graduation Rate:94%
Total Enrollment:31,275

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY

In-State Tuition:$60,550
Out-of-State Tuition:$60,550
Admission Rate:39%
Graduation Rate:90%
Total Enrollment:12,197

Los Angeles Film School

Hollywood, CA

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:46%
Total Enrollment:5,588

University of North Texas

Denton, TX

In-State Tuition:$8,295
Out-of-State Tuition:$18,087
Admission Rate:79%
Graduation Rate:59%
Total Enrollment:44,767
Choral Conductor Job Description:
  • 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.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Choral Conductor

Job Duties for Choral Conductors

  • Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.

  • Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.

  • Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.

Technologies and Skills Used by Choral Conductors

Music or sound editing software

  • Audacity
  • ZynAddSubFX

Presentation software

  • MediaShout
  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Talking to others

People and Technology Systems

  • Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Choral Conductor

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Choral Conductor

FAQs About Becoming a Choral Conductor