An orchestrator writes scores and instrumental parts for an orchestra based on a composer’s drafts (or sketches).

What Does an Orchestrator Do?

After an orchestrator arranges the composer’s piece of music, the score is either performed live by an orchestra, band, or individual performer, or recorded for film, TV, or video games.

An orchestrator may also transpose music originally written for one voice type or instrument to be performed by another voice type or instrument.

The primary goal of an orchestrator is to fulfill the artistic vision of the composer and to assign and finish all the parts to be played by multiple instruments.

They are the ones who turn an idea into reality, according to Jeremy Levy, an orchestrator/arranger/composer whose work can be heard in dozens of movies, TV programs, and video games.

A Day In the Life of an Orchestrator

Levy said he usually works from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“I’ll keep working after dinner if I’m on a time crunch,” he said. “Otherwise, I try to spend time with my wife after dinner. Weekends are often needed to work during crunch time. A lot of times, recording sessions are on Mondays, so I’ll need to work Sunday if that’s the case.”

He said his typical day involves:

• Orchestrating cues (an individual piece of music within a film)
• Managing a small team of assistants
• Working in a digital audio workstation (DAW) — his preference is Cubase
• Using music notation software — his preference is Finale

Orchestrator vs. Conductor

An orchestrator translates what the composer has written so an orchestra can play it.

A conductor leads the orchestra in the performance. The conductor is the person standing in front of an orchestra at the symphony, a ballet, or a Broadway musical.

The average annual salary for orchestrators is about $50,596, and the salary can range from $19,000 to $118,000 or more¹.

How Does an Orchestrator Make Money?

Going rates for orchestrators will vary based on the type of production, its budget, and whether or not it’s a union or non-union job.

Union jobs pay a little less because health benefits are paid by the employer and you would get secondary market residuals. Freelance contracts don’t have those benefits, so the earnings will be higher.

Orchestrators are paid in two ways:

1. A flat fee for the entire project (the lead orchestrator gets paid, then has to pay anyone working for them on the project)
2. By the page (four bars of music, higher rate based on how many staves are in the score)

As with any professional career, those at the very top earn significantly more money than the average. There are no “big breaks,” but rather a series of smaller opportunities strategically leveraged over a long time.

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For those with the right skills and connections, there will always be a steady stream of work as an orchestrator.

There is a strong need for capable orchestrators in film and TV, as well as in stage and concert productions around the world.

From 2023 to 2033, this career is expected to grow by about 3%, which is about the average growth for all careers².

Although orchestrators work as part of a team with other composers and arrangers, they spend a good deal of time working on their own.

Their work schedule is dependent on the project and its deadline, but Levy says he tries to work “normal-ish” hours, often working from his home studio in his condo.

The best way to start your career as a music orchestrator is to start your own writing projects, Levy said.

“I started a big band to feature my writing when I first came to town,” he said. “You’ll meet a lot of people, and it shows you have the gumption to follow through on work.”

Here are the things you can do as an aspiring orchestrator…

Internship/Shadow

To get a better feel for what an orchestrator does and if you want to pursue this career, contact orchestrators in your area to see if you can shadow them for a time. It could even lead to an internship/apprenticeship.

Assistant Orchestrator

Most people start as assistants before being hired as full-on orchestrators. Those just getting started in the industry often must work other part-time jobs or cobble together several projects at a time to make a living.

Orchestrator

Advancement would then come in terms of getting hired as an orchestrator for more prestigious projects with higher budgets, or by becoming the regular orchestrator for a television show or some other project that would provide a steady source of income.

Join Organizations

Levy recommends joining these groups:

• The Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL)
• The American Society of Music Arrangers & Composers (ASMAC)
• The Academy of Scoring Arts

You may also want to join the American Federation of Musicians, the union that offers extra benefits.

To succeed as an orchestrator, here are the skills you’ll need to develop…

Orchestra Knowledge

You have to know how an orchestra operates. Or else you won’t be able to arrange their parts.

“[You must have] in-depth knowledge of the orchestra and all the instruments, as well as deep harmonic knowledge,” Levy said.

Read and Write Sheet Music

This one may seem obvious, but reading and writing on sheet music needs to be second nature to you. You must be fluent in it.

“Being able to look at a score and find issues just by sight is incredibly helpful,” Levy said.

Problem-Solving

When you get a draft or sketch from a composer, part of your job is fixing issues with the composition and figuring out how to assign the different instruments their parts.

This means you’ll need to be good at solving problems.

“Being able to quickly work out solutions is…helpful,” Levy said.

Know Your Music Production Software

You’ll be using a DAW and sheet-writing software, and you need to be an expert on your chosen programs.

This will allow your process to flow.

Levy said it’s important to be “incredibly versatile in all aspects of music production software.”

Good Communication

You will be working with composers, your team of assistants, and conductors. So you have to be a good communicator and be good with people.

“Unless you’re orchestrating your own score, you will be working with a composer, so you need to learn how to manage his or her stresses and responsibilities with your own,” he said.

Time Management

Because you may be self-employed and also on hard deadlines, you will have to manage your time well.

“Everyone is on a time crunch,” Levy said. “So it is important to respect that and stay organized. Time management is one of the most important aspects of a successful orchestrator.”

You will need a strong knowledge of music theory, music composition, and music notation. You can definitely learn these things on your own, but a college degree in music can help you greatly.

Music Orchestrator Degree

Earning a music degree that teaches you the skills of an orchestrator will give you a headstart on aspiring orchestrators who are self-taught.

Levy has a master’s degree in Jazz Composition from the University of Miami.

“It was incredibly helpful in teaching me the wide range of skills needed to find a career in music,” he said.

“At school, I also learned how to be a recording and mixing engineer — two very helpful additional skills. Besides formal education, in-depth knowledge of orchestral scores is very helpful. Being familiar with a wide range of musical styles helps quite a bit, too.”

While there’s a lot you can learn on their own, many music degrees have a focus on composing, arranging, and creating orchestrations.

Most aspiring orchestrators attend a music program to prepare themselves with an arsenal of skills, learn the music business aspects, and build a professional network that will allow them to transition to the professional world of music.