Music Director or Composer Interview Questions & Answers

Music directors lead musical groups during performances and recording sessions. Composers write and arrange original music in a variety of musical styles.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Musical talent
• Leadership skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Discipline
• Promotional skills
• Perseverance

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for Music Director or Composer positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Discipline

Why interviewers are interested in your discipline:

Talent is not enough for most music directors and composers to find employment in this field. They must constantly practice and seek to improve their technique and style.

Related: Music Composer Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

Interpersonal skills

Why interviewers are interested in your interpersonal skills:

Music directors and composers need to work with agents, musicians, and recording studio personnel. Being friendly, respectful, and open to criticism as well as praise, while enjoying being with others, can help music directors and composers work well with a variety of people.

Leadership

Why interviewers are interested in your leadership skills:

Music directors and composers must guide musicians and singers by preparing musical arrangements and helping them achieve the best possible sound.

Learn more about leadership interview questions and how to answer them!

Musical talent

Why interviewers are interested in your musical talent:

To become a music director or composer, one must have musical talent.

Perseverance

Why interviewers are interested in your perseverance:

Music directors and composers need the determination to continue submitting their compositions after receiving rejections. Also, reviewing auditions can be frustrating because it may take many different auditions to find the best musicians.

Promotional skills

Why interviewers are interested in your promotional skills:

Music directors and composers need to promote their performances through local communities, word of mouth, and social media platforms. Good self-promotional skills are helpful in building a fan base and getting more work opportunities.

(source: bls.gov)

Music Director or Composer Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Music Director or Composer Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Music Director or Composer Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as a music director (or composer)? Why?
2. Describe to me how you go about coordinating music rehearsals.
3. What is your process of collaborating with other musicians or directors? Can you give an example?
4. Can you give me an example of a piece of advice that you would give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
5. Walk me through an average workday. How do you organize, plan, and prioritize your tasks?
6. Who are you inspired by? Why?
7. Tell me about your creative process. Where does it start? What is your creative process?
8. What skills do you think are essential to succeed as a music director (or composer) Why?
9. Tell me about a performance that you directed that went really well. What did you learn?
10. What is your process to ensure that a production stays within the allocated budget?
11. Have you ever coached or mentored someone during your career? What improvements did you see in their skills or knowledge?

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.