What is the role of a music composer? With Career Guide

A music composer is a person who arranges and creates music professionally. A composer writes music from scratch with the help of musical notations to express any emotion through music. A music composer needs to have a thorough knowledge of various aspects of music. This in-depth knowledge helps him to understand the capabilities of each instrument and musician so that they can be utilized properly in the composition. After completing the composition, he hands over the composed music to the music director, who selects the pieces from the composed music as per his requirement and application.

If you stay in Delhi or nearby areas, you can find various institutions offering music composition courses in Delhi.

Responsibilities of a music composer

The responsibilities of a music composer can be divided into various segments:

Primary Responsibility

• Understanding the requirement and specifications of a project.
• Collaborating with the music directors or other stakeholders to gather more information before starting the process of composition.
• Composition and recording of musical scores as per the requirement.
• Identifying suitable musicians and hiring them to perform in live performances or recordings.
• Conducting or attending rehearsals and studio sessions to understand the clarity of the musicians regarding the composition.
• Taking feedback about the composition and revising it by applying the suggestions.
• Discussing any issues with the director or producer on time

 

Secondary Responsibility

• Scheduling and attending meetings with the producers and directors to discuss the project and the contract as required.
• Traveling out of the station to meet various clients whenever required.
• Associating with different composers to create new music for any project or show.
• Relocating to any other city for a certain duration in case of some project requirement.
• Working with directors and producers to prepare schedules and budgets for upcoming projects.

 

Knowledge enhancement

• Meeting and interacting with other industry professionals to be informed about current industry trends.
• Enhancing knowledge about software packages, musical equipment, and technicalities of recordings.
• Attending theatres regularly to get inspiration and innovative ideas.

 

Career Options as a music composer

There are many prominent career options available for a music composer, which include:

 

• Composition Instructor or professor
• Film music composer
• Composer for theatrical performances
• Television composer
• Music Software consultant
• Music director
• Music arranger
• Music Editor
• Orchestrator
• Radio DJ and more.

 

Do You Need Any Specific Educational Qualifications?

A bachelors or a diploma degree in music is the first step to take in your journey as a music composer. However, a degree is not essential to start your career in this field. Many active and future Indian music directors and composers have received years of formal training in traditional music and may even have completed college-level music studies. You can earn a certificate, diploma, bachelor's degree, master's degree, or Ph.D. 

You must have some fundamental musical background knowledge to enrol in a diploma program. A bachelor’s or master's in music is something you could pursue if you want to continue studying music.

Apart from choosing from the various universities and colleges present in Delhi, you can opt for any private institution that offers a music composer course in Delhi.

 

Conclusion

To become a good music composer, you should have an in-depth knowledge of musical instruments and the technicalities involved. In music direction, the composer plays a creative role and should be able to narrate a story through his music. It is always good to start learning music early to become a composer. It will provide a solid base for your future learnings. If you stay in Delhi NCR cities, you can join a reputed music institute in Noidato pursue a career as a music composer.