Music Composers and

Arrangers
This occupation is a member of the Arts, Media, and Entertainment
cluster

Created at California CareerZone. To learn more, as well as take assessments

and view detailed profiles of pathways, occupations, colleges, and more, please
visit: https://www.cacareerzone.org/
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About the Job

Write and transcribe musical scores.

It is also Called
Music Composer, Music Arranger, Film Composer, Music Producer, Music Writer, Music
Adapter, Song Writer, Composer, Digital Composer, Creative Director, Arranger, Jingle
Writer, Copyist, Record Producer, Composer Teaching Artist, Music Orchestrator, Songwriter,
Musician, Conceptor

Education Required
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job
experience, or an associate's degree.

Wages
In 2020, the average annual wage in California was $72,360 with most people making between
$29,720 and $139,620

Outlook
During 2016, this occupation employed approximately 5,400 people in California. It is projected
that there will be 5,600 employed in 2026.
This occupation will have about 20 openings due to growth and about 520 replacement
openings for approximately 540 total annual openings.

Industries that Employ this Occupation

Elementary and Secondary Schools, Performing Arts Companies

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art work or layout design.

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Commercial and Industrial Designers Develop and design manufactured products, such as
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use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

Fashion Designers Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion
trends.
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Graphic Designers Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional

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or decorative effects.

Interior Designers Plan, design, and furnish interiors of residential, commercial, or industrial
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Actors Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, motion picture productions, or other settings
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and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.

Directors- Stage, Motion Pictures, Television, and Radio Interpret script, conduct
rehearsals, and direct activities of cast and technical crew for stage, motion pictures, television,
or radio programs.

Singers Sing songs on stage, radio, television, or motion pictures.

Musicians, Instrumental Play one or more musical instruments in recital, in accompaniment,

or as members of an orchestra, band, or other musical group.

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recording studios, or movie and video productions.

Film and Video Editors Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May edit or
synchronize soundtracks with images.

Interests
Artistic - Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns.
They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of
rules.

Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out

projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions.
Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Work Values
Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow
employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
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Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for
leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement,
Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own
and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

What They Do
Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and
melodies.

Use computers and synthesizers to compose, orchestrate, and arrange music.

Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances
required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.

Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and
computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas.

Write changes directly into compositions, or use computer software to make changes.

Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and
paper, or computers.

Guide musicians during rehearsals, performances, or recording sessions.

Score compositions so that they are consistent with instrumental and vocal capabilities such as
ranges and keys, using knowledge of music theory.

Write musical scores for orchestras, bands, choral groups, or individual instrumentalists or
vocalists, using knowledge of music theory and of instrumental and vocal capabilities.

Confer with producers and directors to define the nature and placement of film or television
music.

Things They Need to Know

Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and
perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic

equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing
customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality
standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including
the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and

dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain
via written, oral, and visual media.

Things They Need to Be Able to Do

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related
documents.

Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of
alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to
understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at
inappropriate times.

Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential
actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Education & Training

Music Theory and Composition - A program that focuses on the study of the principles
of sound manipulation as applied to the creation of music, and the techniques of creating
and arranging music. Includes instruction in aural theory, melody, counterpoint, complex
harmony, modulation, chromatics, improvisation, progressions, musical writing, instrumentation,
orchestration, electronic and computer applications, studies of specific musical styles, and
development of original creative ability.

Musicology and Ethnomusicology - A program that focuses on the systematic study of

the forms and methods of music art, and the functions of music, in Western and non-Western
societies and cultures. Includes instruction in music theory, musicological research methods,
and studies of specific cultural styles such as jazz, folk music, rock, ethnic musical traditions,
and the music of non-Western cultures.

Conducting - A program that prepares individuals to master the art of leading bands, choirs,
orchestras and other ensembles in performance, and related music leadership. Includes
instruction in score analysis and arranging, rehearsal and performance leadership, music
coaching, arrangement and performance planning, ensemble operations management, and
applications to specific school or professional ensembles.

Music Technology - A program that focuses on the creative aspects of the blending of
music and technology; and that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills
to the composition, recording, synthesis, and performance of music; audio-visual production;
scoring for film and multimedia; and software and multimedia development. Includes instruction
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in music theory, music history, composition, acoustics, recording technology, computer

composition, electronic music synthesis, technology-based performance, 3D sound and spatial
audio, and music business and law.

Music, Other - Any instructional program in music not listed above.

Created at California CareerZone. For more information on this

and other occupations, please visit https://www.cacareerzone.org/