How to Be Choral Composer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 6, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Choral composers have a profound effect on the musical culture of their community, creating works that inspire and engage listeners. By creating music that speaks to the hearts and minds of those who hear it, choral composers can create an emotional, meaningful experience for their audience. The impact of a choral composer's work is often felt long after the performance has ended, with viewers often feeling a sense of connection, joy, and pride in their local community.

This in turn can lead to increased enthusiasm and participation in choir programs, which can benefit both the musicians and those who are simply inspired by the music. In addition, choral composers can also help to foster a greater appreciation of their own music, as well as other types of music, by introducing new styles and ideas to their audience. As such, choral composers play a vital role in building stronger and more vibrant musical communities.

Steps How to Become

Take music theory classes. Learn the basics of music theory and harmony. Understanding the fundamentals of composition will help you develop your skills as a choral composer.
Develop basic composition skills. Start by writing simple melodies and four-part choral arrangements. Develop your knowledge of counterpoint, voice leading, and other composition techniques.
Take composition classes. Take classes in composition and arranging, or work with a private instructor. This is a great way to hone your skills and get feedback from an experienced teacher.
Listen to choral music. Listen to as much choral music as you can. Learn about different choral styles and techniques to help inform your own compositions.
Write music for choirs. Start writing choral music for small choirs or ensembles. Reach out to local choirs and ask if they need new compositions.
Publish your work. Publish your choral compositions in digital or print format. This will help you get your work out in the world and get recognition for your work.
Promote yourself. Promote yourself as a choral composer by attending events, creating social media accounts, and reaching out to directors and groups.

Staying updated and qualified as a choral composer requires dedication and hard work. First, one must stay abreast of the latest trends in choral composition, which may include attending conferences, reading scholarly journals, or networking with other composers. it is important to stay informed on recent developments in music theory, composition techniques, and technology.

Furthermore, maintaining ones qualifications may require additional education or even certification in composition. Finally, it is important to continuously practice and create new works of choral music in order to stay sharp and develop ones own style and technique. By taking the time to stay informed, educated, and up-to-date on the latest trends, a choral composer can continue to grow and thrive in their career.

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Job Description

Choral Composer: Create and arrange musical compositions for a choir or other vocal ensemble. Work with musical notation software to notate and score parts for a variety of vocal styles.
Music Producer: Supervise and coordinate the production of musical recordings. Work with vocalists, instrumentalists, conductors, engineers, and other production personnel to ensure quality recordings.
Music Educator: Teach music theory, technique, and performance to students of all ages. Develop lesson plans, evaluate student progress, and promote music appreciation.
Music Arranger: Adapt existing music for different instruments or vocal arrangements. Re-orchestrate existing pieces or create new arrangements that emphasize certain instruments or vocal parts.
Music Therapist: Use music to improve the physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing of clients. Work with a variety of techniques, including improvisation, composition, songwriting, lyric analysis, and instrument playing.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of music theory, including scales, chords, and progressions
Knowledge of classical and popular music styles, genres, and forms
Ability to read and write music notation
Understanding of vocal ranges and techniques
Knowledge of choral and vocal techniques
Ability to create original compositions and arrangements
Ability to work with a variety of instrumentation
Understanding of acoustics and sound design
Ability to lead rehearsals and direct choirs
Ability to collaborate with other musicians, singers, and conductors
Knowledge of choral accompaniment styles
Knowledge of copyright law and licensing regulations

Having the ability to compose choral music requires a great deal of skill and knowledge. To be a successful choral composer, one must understand music theory, possess a deep knowledge of musical instruments, have an ear for tonal changes, and be able to collaborate with other musicians. One must also have an understanding of the voice and be able to write music that takes into account the range of voices in a choir.

a choral composer should possess the ability to arrange harmonies and melodies to create a unique and interesting sound. Lastly, having the ability to conduct a choir is essential for a choral composer, as it allows them to bring out the best qualities in a choirs performance. All of these skills are necessary in order to create quality choral music that can be appreciated by both performers and audiences.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in choral composition?
What is your creative process for composing choral music?
How do you ensure that all voices in a choir are supported, balanced and heard in your compositions?
How do you stay up to date on the latest techniques and technologies used in choral composition?
What challenges have you faced when composing choral music, and how did you overcome them?
What criteria do you use to evaluate the success of a choral composition?
How do you ensure that your compositions are original and engaging?
How do you collaborate with other professionals and organizations to create choral works?
What is your experience working with choirs of various sizes and abilities?
How do you approach incorporating different cultural elements into your choral compositions?

Common Tools in Industry

Music Editing Software. Allows for editing and creating musical pieces, such as Sibelius or Finale. (eg: Sibelius)
Digital Audio Workstations. A software program used to record, edit and mix audio, such as Pro Tools or Logic Pro. (eg: Pro Tools)
Notation Software. A program used to create and edit musical notation, such as MuseScore or Dorico. (eg: Dorico)
Music Production Software. A program used for creating and mixing professional-quality music, such as Ableton Live or FL Studio. (eg: Ableton Live)
MIDI Software. A program used to create, record and edit MIDI data, such as Reason or Cubase. (eg: Reason)
Score Writing Software. A program used to create sheet music, such as Notion or SmartScore. (eg: Notion)
Vocal Arranger Software. A program used to create vocal arrangements, such as Harmony Assistant or Choral Arranger. (eg: Harmony Assistant)
Audio Plugins. Digital audio tools used to enhance sounds or production, such as Waves or iZotope. (eg: Waves)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
Chorus America
National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM)
American Composers Forum
Society of Composers & Lyricists
ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
BMI (Broadcast Music Inc. )
SCL (Society of Composers & Lyricists)
National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS)

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Common Important Terms

Cantata. A multi-movement work for voices and instruments, typically including arias and recitatives.
Motet. A polyphonic choral composition usually based on a religious text.
Mass. A musical setting of the Latin text of the Catholic mass.
Oratorio. A large-scale musical composition similar to an opera, with a text based on religious themes.
Anthem. A polyphonic composition based on a sacred text, usually set to English words.
Madrigal. A polyphonic secular vocal composition, typically with an Italian text.
Chorale. A German hymn-tune in four-part harmony.
Fugue. A polyphonic composition featuring two or more voices that enter successively with the same melody.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Choral Composer?

A Choral Composer is someone who creates music specifically for choirs to perform.

How many parts are typically written for choral compositions?

Choral compositions usually consists of four parts - soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.

What are some common instruments used in choral compositions?

Common instruments used in choral compositions include piano, organ, harp, and strings.

What is the purpose of a choral composition?

The purpose of a choral composition is to provide a musical setting for the words of a poem or other text.

Who are some famous choral composers?

Some famous choral composers include Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, and Johannes Brahms.

Web Resources

Composers | UK Choral Composers - University of Iowa ukchoralcomposers.lib.uiowa.edu
Choral Compositions | Concordia University Chicago www.cuchicago.edu
The Choral Composer/Conductor Collective: An Ongoing uknowledge.uky.edu