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Choir Director, Conductor, Music Director
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Depending on the type of ensemble, choral conductors may:
Rehearsals comprise the major part of a choral conductor's work.
Choral conductors use conducting techniques to communicate their musical intentions, such as tempo, phrasing, tone, colour and volume. A conductor's preparation and enthusiasm contributes greatly to the success of rehearsals and to the quality of the final performance.
When choosing music, conductors consider:
Unless choral conductors have a manager or administrative assistant, they are usually responsible for administrative tasks such as:
They may enlist choir members to help with administrative functions.
Once the regular performance season is over, choirs often tour locally, nationally or internationally. Choral conductors may co-ordinate tours themselves or hire touring companies to arrange concert dates, venues, accommodation and transportation.
When preparing scores and performing administrative tasks, choral conductors work alone. On other tasks, they work with choir members and others. Long hours are often required for rehearsals and when preparing new musical works for the group. Most rehearsals and performances are held in the evenings or weekends.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in instructing instrumentalists and performers to achieve rendition required; and in leading bands, orchestras and choirs during rehearsals and performances, in auditioning and selecting instrumental and vocal performers, and in supervising and co-ordinating activities of studio and company personnel
Interest in synthesizing information to control balance, rhythm, dynamics and entries of instruments and voices to create interpretation of scores; and in planning and organizing musical productions, and in assigning parts to performers so the meaning and feeling of interpreted scores are expressed
Interest in precision working to memorize musical scores; and in selecting music to accommodate talents of groups, and in positioning performers to obtain balance and harmony of instruments and voices
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Choral conductors need to possess:
They should enjoy taking charge of situations and developing innovative approaches to their work.
Excellent musical ability and a thorough music education are essential. Choral conductors must be able to detect and correct errors related to pitch, rhythm, intonation, vocal tone and diction.
Formal training requirements for choral conductors vary greatly:
Choir Alberta offers resources, educational opportunities and professional development programs throughout the province for choir members, choral groups, conductors, organists and other interested individuals. These programs cover topics such as choral repertoire, conducting and rehearsal techniques and administration of choral groups.
Those wishing to teach music and conduct groups in schools may take any of the following educational routes:
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Choral conductors may work with:
Working as a choral conductor in a school often involves teaching other areas of music, including band and music theory. In many schools, conductors teach other subjects as well as music.
University and college positions are limited in number and generally include teaching as well as conducting responsibilities. These positions usually require at least a master's degree in music and often a doctoral degree.
Church choral directors may have other duties such as being the church organist and planning the musical parts of worship services.
There are a limited number of professional choral groups in Canada that offer full-time employment. Exceptional choral conductors arer sometimes hired nationally or internationally as guest conductors for particular performances.
Many choral conductors who work with amateur groups must supplement their incomes by working in other occupations.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Conductors, composers and arrangers
2016 NOC: 5132
97.2% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for professional choir conductors and school choral directors vary depending on the individual's qualifications and experience. Church choir directors may be paid lower salaries or they may volunteer. Amateur community choirs usually give conductors honorariums.
Choral conductors are part of the larger 2016 National Occupational Classification 5132: Conductors, composers and arrangers.
According to the 2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Conductors, composers and arrangers occupational group earned on average up to $37.80 an hour. The overall average was $29.84 an hour. For more information, see the Conductors, composers and arrangers wage profile.
Choir Alberta website: www.choiralberta.ca
Cultural Human Resources Council website: www.culturalhrc.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 20, 2017. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
