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Potential Growth

Here you can read through the responsibilities, work activities, academic knowledge, skills, and interests associated with this career. You can view more related
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Career data was updated on August 1, 2016

Responsibilities 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.

Work Activities Thinking Creatively

- Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including
artistic contributions.
Interacting With Computers
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software,
set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Getting Information
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
- Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the
public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing,
or by telephone or e-mail.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over
time.

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Copy Writers

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Academic Knowledge 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.
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.

Education Level Most Music Composers and Arrangers have:

- Some College Courses
- Bachelor's Degree
- Less than a High School Diploma

Programs and Majors Find Colleges Offering this Program or Major

Hover over name below for description

Religious/Sacred Music View Colleges

Musical Theatre View Colleges

Music Performance, General View Colleges

Music Theory and Composition View Colleges

Musicology and Ethnomusicology View Colleges

Conducting View Colleges

Voice and Opera View Colleges

Music Technology View Colleges

Music, Other View Colleges

Music Management View Colleges

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Salary & Potential Growth

$50,110
National Median
Salary

View Potential for Growth by State

Skills Reading Comprehension

- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
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.
Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions
or approaches to problems.
Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

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