Introduction
An orchestra is a large ensemble that creates a beautiful composition using wind, percussive, and brass instruments, together performing a classical music piece. Classically trained musicians dream of joining an orchestra. An orchestra conductor keeps the orchestra in time and together. Let us know about the salaries for Orchestra Conductor and the factors affecting the salary of a symphony Orchestra Conductor in this article.
The average salary of an orchestra conductor performing in various orchestras in the United States earns around $53,604 per year. The salary range is between $21,070 and $101,150. The salaries for Orchestra conductor depends on multiple factors like experience, certifications, locations, and skills. Also, the more popular the orchestra conductor, the more the salaries. Working as an orchestra conductor provides job security, medical benefits, a stable salaries, and the opportunity to follow your passion. There are opportunities for orchestra conductors all over the world. Orchestra conductors are common in orchestra performances and have many more roles than just waving hands in the air.
Roles of Orchestra Conductors
The role of orchestra conductors seems very baffling to people, as it appears that they are doing nothing, except waving their hands in the air. However, their gestures give very important clues to the musicians.
The conductor gives the time clue to the musicians. Conductors help musicians to maintain the required tempo through their gestures which help control their motion. They help musicians to start and stop on time without getting confused.
The conductors also act as teachers. During rehearsals, conductors help musicians to brush up on their skills and play the piece perfectly. Conductors are responsible for fixing the problems musicians face during any piece. If any musical instrument is feeling out of tune with the conductor, then he/she needs to fix that issue for the musicians.
The conductors also need to have an innate sense of musicality to judge the performance of musicians and help them fix the issues. Conductors need to be good musicians so that they can help to achieve the best performance.
Salaries of Symphony Orchestra conductor in Famous Orchestras
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra is one of the top five famous orchestras in America. The orchestra performs in Orchestra Hall at the Chicago Symphony Center. The average salary of a symphony orchestra conductor working in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is around $57,890 per year. Chicago Symphony Orchestra is a highly prestigious orchestra with amazing musicians.
- Cleveland Orchestra
Cleveland Orchestra is an American Orchestra located in Cleveland, Ohio. It is one of the major orchestras in the world. With the most renowned musicians, it has earned its name as one of the top orchestras in the world. The average salary of orchestra conductors performing in the Cleveland Orchestra is $64,589 per year.
- San Francisco Symphony
The San Francisco Symphony exists to inspire musicians to follow their dreams and be a part of the top orchestras ever existed. It is led by the top musicians with the highest level of excellence. The salary of a San Francisco Symphony orchestra conductor is between $79,138 and $93,313 per year.
- Boston Symphony Orchestra
Located in Boston, Massachusetts, Boston Symphony Orchestra is a beautiful ensemble of top musicians. With millions of listeners from across the world, it has reached a big name. The base salary of orchestra conductors performing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra is $70,000 per year.
- Los Angeles Philharmonic
This is also an American-based Orchestra, located in California. They conduct performances throughout the year with their top musicians. The salary range of orchestra conductors performing in Los Angeles is $52,668 and $83,588 per year.
Salaries of Symphony Orchestra conductors in Different Cities of the U.S
- San Francisco
The average salary of a symphony orchestra conductor performing in San Francisco is $54,757 per year. They also receive an average bonus of $2,905.
- Washington D.C
The salary of a symphony orchestra conductor in Washington D.C. is $47,535 per year. The lowest salary is $39,720 which increases up to $57,450 per year with experience.
- Chicago
The average salary of symphony orchestra conductors working in Chicago is $45,921 per year. The salary range is between $37,300 and $55,264 per year.
- Kansas City
The average salary of a symphony orchestra conductor performing in Kansas City is $40,489 per year. The salary range is between $33,336 and $49,486 per year.
- New York
A symphony orchestra conductor working in New York receives an average salary of $51,326 per year. The lower salary range is $42,296 and the higher range is $63,667 per year.
Factors Affecting the Salary of a Symphony Orchestra Conductor
- Experience
The degree of experience is a very crucial factor in deciding the pay of an orchestra conductor. More experience you have conducted in an orchestra, the more chances of getting a good salary.
A conductor with 0-5 years of experience earns around $36,898 per year. A highly experienced musician performing in the orchestra for over 20 years earns millions per year.
- Venue
The venue is also an important factor in deciding the salary. A house orchestra member in a Broadway production running for a long time has a higher earning potential than the one performing in a short-running theatre production.
- Skills
An excellent skill set in an orchestra conductor is a very important factor. A conductor knowing a variety of instruments like brass, string, key, and wind instruments has a greater earning potential than the one limited to some instruments. A conductor with excellent tempo and pitch sense, and brilliant music reading ability, also earns more than the one who lacks them.
- Stage presence
Stage presence is very crucial while playing, as thousands of people are watching you. A good stage presence you that you are more experienced, which directly influences salary.
Conclusion
Music is the soul of life. We all enjoy listening to all kinds of music. Classical music has a power that can never be matched. Orchestras are a beautifully constructed group of musicians, who perform their best pieces in the most elegant way possible. The tunes of orchestras come from brilliant musicians who have devoted years of their life to music. Orchestra conductors perform in a famous symphony orchestra that is popular worldwide. Working in these big orchestras is a dream every musician cultivates. The pay of these orchestras is higher than the average national salary of the orchestra conductors. All aspiring classical conductors who want to work in these big orchestras should audition whenever they are open. Good knowledge of music and instruments can land you in these big ensembles.
FAQs
1.Who is the highest-paid orchestra conductor?
Charles Dutoit is the highest-paid orchestra conductor with an average salary of $1.83 million per year.
2.Can an orchestra perform without a conductor?
Yes. The orchestra can function without a conductor but still, the conductor coordinates the orchestra more efficiently.
3.Why do conductors use a stick?
To enhance the bodily movements and show much better gestures.
