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Band director vs assistant music director

The differences between band directors and assistant music directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a band director and an assistant music director. Additionally, a band director has an average salary of $52,443, which is higher than the $50,431 average annual salary of an assistant music director.

The top three skills for a band director include classroom management, band program and concert band. The most important skills for an assistant music director are fine arts, music program, and DJ.

Band director vs assistant music director overview

Band DirectorAssistant Music Director
Yearly salary$52,443$50,431
Hourly rate$25.21$24.25
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs5,3787,409
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

Band director vs assistant music director salary

Band directors and assistant music directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Band DirectorAssistant Music Director
Average salary$52,443$50,431
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $96,000Between $28,000 And $88,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaArizona
Best paying companyColumbia Grammar & Preparatory SchoolGeorgetown University
Best paying industryEducationMedia

Differences between band director and assistant music director education

There are a few differences between a band director and an assistant music director in terms of educational background:

Band DirectorAssistant Music Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorGeneral Education, Specific AreasMusic
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanford University

Band director vs assistant music director demographics

Here are the differences between band directors' and assistant music directors' demographics:

Band DirectorAssistant Music Director
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 71.4% Female, 28.6%Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 5.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 5.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage30%30%

Differences between band director and assistant music director duties and responsibilities

Band director example responsibilities.

  • Resolve misconducts and social issues which lead to greater leadership skills and perfect orchestrate performances.
  • Work with others to manage DJs and volunteers, as well as plan on campus events.
  • Lead and direct the Orff instrument ensemble
  • Help students audition for college and all-state.
  • Plan and post content for Facebook page.
  • Develop curriculum for and teach speech and drama classes.
  • Show more

Assistant music director example responsibilities.

  • Achieve staff competence with 4 staff members, encouraging the growth and development of one staff member into a leadership position.
  • Review incoming CDs from record labels in order to comply with FCC guidelines.
  • Promote performances and restaurant specials on Facebook, various other platforms.
  • Design and run powerpoint presentation and sound system when media tech is absent.
  • Develop and maintain a database for tracking the incoming and outgoing CDs for review by music staff.
  • Create weekly PowerPoint presentations for weekend liturgies.
  • Show more

Band director vs assistant music director skills

Common band director skills
  • Classroom Management, 15%
  • Band Program, 10%
  • Concert Band, 7%
  • Music Theory, 6%
  • PEP Band, 6%
  • Football Games, 5%
Common assistant music director skills
  • Fine Arts, 12%
  • Music Program, 10%
  • DJ, 9%
  • Radio Station, 8%
  • Radio Show, 8%
  • Chorus, 7%

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