Composer
What the work is
Writes new, and rearranges existing, musical compositions such as songs, operas, symphonies and other musical scores for use in live performance, commercials, film, television and digital games.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Writes new musical compositions in various genres and styles for use in live performance, commercials, films, television and digital games
- Creates new versions of existing compositions by adding or removing musical elements such as instruments, melodies, harmonies or rhythms
- Conducts research and studies different musical styles and techniques
- Selects the appropriate equipment and works with audio engineers to ensure that compositions meet client requirements
- Collaborates with directors, producers, music supervisors, Audio Engineers and musicians to achieve desired musical effect
- May attend rehearsals and performances to provide guidance and make adjustments to compositions
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a community orchestra preparing for its biggest concert of the year. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A tricky passage clicks for the whole orchestra and the room goes electric
- A young player comes to you after rehearsal and says they finally understood a piece
- A concert where audience and players leave smiling, still humming the last tune
Hard days
- Hours alone in a practice room working on a passage that still will not come
- A player is struggling and you must decide how to help them without embarrassing them
- Your plans change at the last minute when a soloist cannot make it
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 231631, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.