Director of music vs choral director

The differences between directors of music and choral 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 director of music and a choral director. Additionally, a choral director has an average salary of $54,709, which is higher than the $48,096 average annual salary of a director of music.

The top three skills for a director of music include music program, music theory and general music. The most important skills for a choral director are classroom management, fine arts, and music education.

Director of music vs choral director overview

	Director Of Music	Choral Director
Yearly salary	$48,096	$54,709
Hourly rate	$23.12	$26.30
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	7,394	4,783
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	6	6

Director of music vs choral director salary

Directors of music and choral directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Director Of Music	Choral Director
Average salary	$48,096	$54,709
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $84,000	Between $29,000 And $100,000
Highest paying City	Phoenix, AZ	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Arizona	Alaska
Best paying company	York Prep School	DePauw University
Best paying industry	Media	Education

Differences between director of music and choral director education

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

	Director Of Music	Choral Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Music	Music
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Pennsylvania

Director of music vs choral director demographics

Here are the differences between directors of music' and choral directors' demographics:

	Director Of Music	Choral Director
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 64.3% Female, 35.7%	Male, 47.1% Female, 52.9%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	30%	30%

Differences between director of music and choral director duties and responsibilities

Director of music example responsibilities.

Manage entire music program, schedule ministers, concerts, and prayer services.
Achieve staff competence with 4 staff members, encouraging the growth and development of one staff member into a leadership position.
Direct 7th - 8th girls chorus.
Introduce and integrate Orff instruments to vocal songs.
Serve as rehearsal accompanist for chorus number while directing.
Draft and create costumes and props by hand for the production

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.

Director of music vs choral director skills

Common director of music skills

Music Program, 19%
Music Theory, 12%
General Music, 6%
Fine Arts, 6%
Instrumental Ensembles, 5%
Music Selection, 4%

Common choral director skills

Classroom Management, 18%
Fine Arts, 9%
Music Education, 9%
Music Theory, 8%
Choral Music, 7%
Student Learning, 6%

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Director Of Music
Director Of Music vs Choral Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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