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Composers

OaSIS code 51121.02

Composers create musical compositions such as television and film scores, theme music, songs, symphonies and music for interactive products such as video games.

Overview

Also known as

  • Composer
  • Songwriter

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Create musical compositions such as television and film scores, theme music, songs, symphonies and music for interactive products such as video games.

Additional information

  • Composers often work as arrangers.
  • Conductors, composers and arrangers usually specialize in a particular genre of music such as classical, country, jazz or popular.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations (51120)
  • Musicians and singers (51122)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

TEER

1 – Occupations usually require a university degree

Major group

51 – Professional occupations in art and culture

Sub-major group

511 – Professional occupations in art and culture

Minor group

5112 – Creative and performing artists

Unit group

51121 – Conductors, composers and arrangers

Occupational profile

51121.02 – Composers

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Thinking Creatively
5 - Highest Level
Analyzing Data or Information
3 - Moderate Level
Applying New Knowledge
3 - Moderate Level
Clerical Activities
3 - Moderate Level
Communicating with Coworkers
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
5 - Very high amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
2 - Minimally close (Less than 100 ft.)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time
Standing
Duration
1 - Very little time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
1 - Very little time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
2 - Once a month or more but not every week
Duration
3 - About half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
1 - Minimally important
Frequency
1 - Once a year or more but not every month

Workplaces/employers

  • Chamber orchestras
  • Choirs
  • Music Bands
  • Opera companies
  • Orchestras for ballet, opera or theatre performances
  • Self-employed
  • Sound recording companies
  • Symphony orchestras

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Auditory Attention
5 - Highest Level
Fluency of Ideas
5 - Highest Level
Hearing Sensitivity
5 - Highest Level
Information Ordering
4 - High Level
Sound Localization
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Critical Thinking
3 - Moderate Level
Decision Making
3 - Moderate Level
Evaluation
3 - Moderate Level
Instructing
3 - Moderate Level
Learning and Teaching Strategies
3 - Moderate Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Attention to Detail
5 - Extremely important
Creativity
5 - Extremely important
Independence
5 - Extremely important
Innovativeness
5 - Extremely important
Active Learning
4 - Highly important