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Choral director vs orchestra director

The differences between choral directors and orchestra 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 choral director and an orchestra director. Additionally, an orchestra director has an average salary of $57,146, which is higher than the $54,709 average annual salary of a choral director.

The top three skills for a choral director include classroom management, fine arts and music education. The most important skills for an orchestra director are student achievement, all-state, and fine arts.

Choral director vs orchestra director overview

Choral DirectorOrchestra Director
Yearly salary$54,709$57,146
Hourly rate$26.30$27.47
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs4,7834,789
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

Choral director vs orchestra director salary

Choral directors and orchestra directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Choral DirectorOrchestra Director
Average salary$54,709$57,146
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $100,000Between $31,000 And $104,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYOdessa, TX
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyDePauw UniversityPermian High School
Best paying industryEducationRetail

Differences between choral director and orchestra director education

There are a few differences between a choral director and an orchestra director in terms of educational background:

Choral DirectorOrchestra Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorMusicMusic
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Choral director vs orchestra director demographics

Here are the differences between choral directors' and orchestra directors' demographics:

Choral DirectorOrchestra Director
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 47.1% Female, 52.9%Male, 48.4% Female, 51.6%
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 choral director and orchestra director duties and responsibilities

Choral director example responsibilities.

  • Manage entire music program, schedule ministers, concerts, and prayer services.
  • Produce and direct a full Broadway Jr. production of Annie.
  • Continue to serve as a UIL choral adjudicator across the state.
  • Collaborate with drama teacher to compose music/libretto for musical theater setting of Cinderella.
  • Accompany all the choirs on the piano and organ for services, concerts, and special events.
  • Produce and direct a full Broadway Jr. production of Annie.

Orchestra director example responsibilities.

  • Prepare concerts and participate in UIL concert and sight-reading competition.
  • Collaborate with drama teacher to compose music/libretto for musical theater setting of Cinderella.
  • Collaborate with drama teacher to compose music/libretto for musical theater setting of Cinderella.

Choral director vs orchestra director skills

Common choral director skills
  • Classroom Management, 18%
  • Fine Arts, 9%
  • Music Education, 9%
  • Music Theory, 8%
  • Choral Music, 7%
  • Student Learning, 6%
Common orchestra director skills
  • Student Achievement, 27%
  • All-State, 14%
  • Fine Arts, 9%
  • Music Theory, 6%
  • Music Education, 5%
  • General Music, 5%

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