Music Composer (1 years diploma)
Music Composer click here
Brief Job Description: The primary function of the Music Composer is to
conceptualise and compose original music and to direct the production of music
for film, TV, independent artists and other forms of new media formats such as
streaming online content, video games, etc. according to client’s requirements.
Personal Attributes: The Music Composer must be versatile enough to adapt
very well to a wide range of professional work scenarios very quickly. The
person should exhibit mindfulness, confidence in his/her abilities and the drive
to constantly improve his/her craft. The individual must be highly self motivated,
and must cultivate a positive attitude that inspires and motivates
the team, even during adverse and challenging situations. The person must
demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, ethics and responsibility at all
times, must be open to new ideas, should be able to accept constructive
criticism of work, and know how to make use of feedback to improve work
Qualifications Pack for Music Composer
Keywords /Terms
Description
Sector Sector is a conglomeration of different business operations having similar
businesses and interests. It may also be defined as a distinct subset of the
economy whose components share similar characteristics and interests.
Sub-sector Sub-sector is derived from a further breakdown based on the characteristics
and interests of its components.
Occupation Occupation is a set of job roles, which perform similar / related set of
functions in an industry.
Job role Job role defines a unique set of functions that together form a unique
employment opportunity in an organization.
Occupational
Standards(OS)
OS specify the standards of performance an individual must achieve when
carrying out a function in the workplace, together with the knowledge and
understanding they need to meet that standard consistently. Occupational
Standards are applicable both in the Indian and global contexts.
Performance Criteria Performance criteria are statements that together specify the standard of
performance required when carrying out a task.
National Occupational
Standards (NOS)
NOS are occupational standards which apply uniquely in the Indian context.
Qualifications Pack
(QP)
QP comprises the set of OSs, together with the educational, training and
other criteria required to perform a job role. A QP is assigned a unique
qualifications pack code.
Description Description gives a short summary of the unit content. This would be helpful
to anyone searching on a database to verify that this is the appropriate OS
they are looking for.
Scope Scope is a set of statements specifying the range of variables that an
individual may have to deal with in carrying out the function which have a
critical impact on quality of performance required.
Knowledge and
Understanding
Knowledge and understanding are statements which together specify the
technical, generic, professional and organizational specific knowledge that
an individual need to perform to the required standard.
Organisational Context Organisational context includes the way the organization is structured and
how it operates, including the extent of operative knowledge managers have
of their relevant areas of responsibility.
Technical Knowledge Technical knowledge is the specific knowledge needed to accomplish specific
designated responsibilities.
Core Skills/Generic
Skills
Core skills or generic skills area group of skills that are the key to learning and
working in today’s world. These skills are typically needed in any work
environment in today’s world. In the context of the OS, these include
communication related skills that are applicable to most job roles.
Budget Budget is an estimate of the total cost of production that may include a
break-up of cost components.
Copyright Laws A legal framework linked to intellectual property and the rights given to
creators of original products/ concepts.
Qualifications Pack for Music Composer
Keywords/Terms Description
NOS National Occupational Standard(s)
QP Qualifications Pack
NSQF National Skill Qualifications Framework
NVEQF National Vocational Education Qualifications Framework
NVQF National Vocational Qualifications Framework
Creative Brief Creative brief is a document that captures the key questions that serve as
a guide for the music arrangement including the vision, objective of the
project, target audience, timelines, budgets, milestones, stakeholders etc.
Music concept Music concept is a description of the overall musical experience for the
production / composition
Script Script is a structured narrative of a story and or the spoken word/ narrative
that accompanies a programme.
Arranging The process of structuring music harmonies and rhythmic elements for an
existing composition (melody, theme, etc.) using various instrumentation
and adhering to the stylistic characteristics of a music genre.
Acoustics Acoustics is the science that studies the properties of sound, transmission
of sound in different medium, and the properties or qualities of a room or
building that determine how sound is transmitted in it.
Music Score Is a document that contains written music notation of compositions, lyrics,
and performance parameters that musicians uses.
DAW Digital Audio Workstation is a computer based system used for composing
,arranging, sequencing and producing music and audio.
Target Audience Group of people at whom content/ adverting is aimed. A target audience is
typically defined by age, gender, economic classification, geography and
any other relevant parameters.
Timelines Timelines is a listing of dates by which the production milestones/stages
need to be completed.
Vertical Vertical may exist within a sub-sector representing different domain areas
or the client industries served by the industry.
Description
NOS National Occupational Standard(s)
QP Qualifications Pack
NSQF National Skill Qualifications Framework
NVEQF National Vocational Education Qualifications Framework
NVQF National Vocational Qualifications Framework
Conceptualise and compose original music
Description This OS unit covers the skills required to interpret a creative music brief and to
conceptualise and compose original music according to the requirements
specified by the client.
Scope This unit/task covers the following:
Interpreting creative (music) briefs.
Presenting and communicating creative concepts and ideas.
Composing original music based on creative concepts.
Performance Criteria (PC) w.r.t. the Scope
Element Performance Criteria
Interpreting creative
(music) briefs
To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC1. ascertain the key artistic and music requirements present in a music
brief.
PC2. interpret the overall creative vision of the music concept.
PC3. recognize the goals and vision of the various stakeholders involved in
the production (director, agency, clients, musicians, etc.).
PC4. align own creative vision and ideas in accordance with the music
brief.
PC5. arrange the key artistic and music requirements into actionable steps
to compose original music.
Presenting and
communicating
creative concepts and
ideas
PC6. elaborate artistic ideas to musicians and non musicians using
appropriate means (demo recordings, written music scores, etc.)
PC7. lead the creation of music adapts from creative concepts for
approval.
PC8. integrate the feedback from various stakeholders to improve the
music adapts where required.
Composing original
music based on
creative concepts
PC9. collaborate with lyric writers (if required) to write lyrics for
compositions.
PC10. compose original melodic pieces in a diverse range of genres and
styles according to the approved creative concepts.
PC11. lead the composition of original music for different ensemble
formats (band, orchestra, combo, choir, etc.).
PC12. supervise the notation of music compositions to ensure that they are
written using the standard conventions.
Conceptualise and compose original music
Knowledge and Understanding (K)
A. Organizational
Context
(Knowledge of
the company /
organization and
its processes)
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KA1. how to prepare for meetings with clients, directors, agencies, etc.
KA2. expected timelines and budget constraints to aid realistic creative
decision making.
KA3. the role and function of each member to be included in the team to
meet the creative objectives.
KA4. Intellectual Property Rights, copyright and other applicable legal
policies that impact the stakeholders.
KA5. social, cultural and economic context of the project.
B. Technical
Knowledge
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KB1. music theory and harmonic principles.
KB2. the characteristics of a broad range of music genres and styles.
KB3. the possibilities and limitations of music ensemble formats (bands,
orchestra, choir, etc.)
KB4. the operational and technical limitations of the medium and format
for which music is composed.
KB5. the application of music technology to create music adapts, demos
and original compositions.
KB6. how to use digital communication technologies (email, cloud
computing, etc.) to present work and solicit feedback.
Skills (S)
A. Core Skills Writing Skills
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SA1. take detailed notes during discussions with clients, directors,
agencies, etc. to help compose music according to requirements.
SA2. prepare an action list based on the music brief.
SA3. prepare concept notes and style guides to aid music composition
from information gathered through research.
SA4. provide clear written guidelines to team members while assigning
music composition tasks.
SA5. share best practices, innovation, etc. among peers through blogs,
articles, etc.
Reading Skills
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SA6. read and comprehend music briefs, scripts, storyboards etc.
SA7. research and gather relevant information related to genre, language,
cultural and regional significance to aid music composition.
SA8. stay abreast with the trends and developments in the global music
industry through regular reading.
Oral Communication (Listening and Speaking skills)
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SA9. discuss, clarify and confirm creative concept with client, director,
agency, etc.
SA10. present/solicit feedback on work and identify the modifications
required.
SA11. explain the creative concept to the team to prepare music adapts
and demos.
B. Professional Skills Plan and Organize
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB1. plan the work schedule to meet the agreed music deliverables.
SB2. organise the work of the team according to the work plan.
SB3. conduct review sessions to ensure timely progress of music
composition.
Analytical Thinking
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB4. analyse the impact of creative choices on the overall music concept.
SB5. assess the budgetary implications of realising creative choices while
composing music.
Problem Solving
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB6. address and resolve any fundamental challenges in finalising the
creative concept and music compositions through consultation with
the relevant stakeholders.
Critical Thinking
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB7. evaluate the quality of music compositions using established criteria
and make improvements where required.
SB8. provide constructive feedback to team members while reviewing
music adapts and compositions.
Decision Making
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB9. make appropriate choices of compositional techniques to meet the
creative concept requirements.
SB10. assess and approve music adapts and compositions for review by the
director, agency, client, etc.
Customer Centricity
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB11. employ innovative and unconventional approaches to compose
music that appeal to the current and emerging preferences of the
target audience.
SB12. review the work of self and team at every stage to ensure that they
fully meet the requirements laid out by the client.
Performance Criteria
Assessing music
composition and
production
financials
To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC1. evaluate music composition and production requirements based on
the client’s brief.
PC2. determine music composition and production timeline and resources
based on the assessment of requirements.
PC3. choose personnel required to meet the music composition and
production objectives.
Defining a music
composition and
production budget
PC4. define a realistic budget with appropriate allocations to the relevant
cost centers involved in composing and producing music.
PC5. utilise spreadsheets and spreadsheet functions to conduct benefit
assessment and financial decision making.
PC6. devise ingenious and efficient cost control strategies to meet the
creative objectives within budget.
Managing music
composition and
production
financials
PC7. employ basic knowledge of Indian income tax and accounting laws to
make financial decisions.
PC8. negotiate efficient financial arrangements with clients, production
personnel and service providers (e.g. studios).
PC9. authorise music composition and production quotes and invoices for
clients with relevant details including taxes, payment timelines and
instructions.
PC10. authorise payments to musicians, technicians and service providers
Organizational
Context
(Knowledge of the
company /
organization and its
processes)
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KA1. how to prepare and present budgets using standard formats or
templates.
KA2. how to choose production personnel and service providers.
KA3. the processes, policies and terms involved in generating and sending
official quotes, tax invoices etc. for services.
KA4. the processes, policies and terms involved in clearing payments to
musicians, technicians and service providers.
B. Technical
Knowledge
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KB1. applicable tax laws and regulatory policies related to the business of
music composition and production.
KB2. functions and features of spreadsheet applications used for budget
planning and preparation.
KB3. how to convert and share budgets, quotes, invoices, etc. using
correct formats from spreadsheet applications.
Skills (S)
A. Core Skills/
Generic Skills
Writing Skills
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SA1. document cost control strategies to monitor them based on the
music composition and production budget.
SA2. document and share negotiated terms and conditions with clients,
production personnel and service providers.
SA3. prepare detailed music composition and production quotes and
invoices.
Reading Skills
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SA4. interpret terms and conditions included in service and financial
agreements with clients, production personnel and service providers.
SA5. comprehend budget line items and entries.
Oral Communication (Listening and Speaking skills)
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SA6. identify creative and technical requirements during discussions with
clients to aid accurate financial assessment.
SA7. articulate terms, conditions and consensus clearly during
negotiations.
SA8. explain music composition and production budgets and timelines to
relevant stakeholders when necessary.
Plan and Organize
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB1. plan and implement cost control strategies to meet the agreed
creative objectives within budget.
SB2. organise music composition and production tasks efficiently to
optimise costs.
Analytical Thinking
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB3. estimate reasonably accurate cost of each task involved in composing
and producing music for a given purpose.
SB4. break down various cost items into manageable components within
the budget.
SB5. present logical reasoning based on accurate financial assessment of
requirements during negotiations.
Problem Solving
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB6. employ innovative and resourceful measures to sufficiently address
cost overruns or change of requirements for music composition and
production.
Critical Thinking
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB7. evaluate different budgeting options and identify those with
potential benefits.
SB8. assess expenses objectively against the outcomes defined in the
budget and initiate corrective actions where necessary.
Decision Making
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB9. make well informed and appropriate financial decisions based on
benefit assessment of the music composition and production project.
Customer Centricity
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB10. provide accurate and transparent cost projections and work
estimates to clients.
Direct music production process
Description This OS unit covers skills required to lead and manage the different phases
of music production: composition, arrangement, programming/sequencing,
recording, mixing and mastering.
Scope This unit/task covers the following:
Directing and finalising arrangements of music compositions.
Directing and finalising programming and recording of music.
Finalising mastered mixes for delivery to clients.
Performance Criteria (PC) w.r.t. the Scope
Element Performance Criteria
Directing and
finalising music
arrangements
To be competent, the user/individual on the job must be able to:
PC1. prepare a clear brief, reference music and music scores (where
applicable) to guide the arrangement of original compositions.
PC2. guide the producer/arranger in the creation of music arrangements
of original compositions in line with the creative vision agreed with
the client.
PC3. present prompt and actionable feedback to the music producer to
fix any issues with the arrangements or to enhance their musicality.
PC4. determine whether the music arrangements can be finalised based
on clearly established creative and technical criteria.
Directing and
finalising music
programming and
recording
PC5. direct the music producer with clearly established creative and
quality guidelines to program and produce music.
PC6. assess electronically programmed and live recorded music to
determine if they fully meet established creative and quality
guidelines.
PC7. present prompt and actionable feedback to the music producer to
fix any issues with the music tracks or to enhance their musicality.
PC8. determine whether programmed and recorded music tracks can be
finalised based on clearly established creative and technical criteria.
Finalising mastered
mixes for delivery
PC9. prepare reference music and artistic guidelines for the producer and
mixing engineer.
PC10. evaluate final mixes to determine if they fully meet established
creative and quality guidelines.
PC11. present prompt and actionable feedback to the music producer and
mix engineer to fix any issues with the mixes or to enhance their
overall musicality.
PC12. determine whether the mixes can be presented to the client for
approval based on clearly established creative and technical criteria.
PC13. assess the quality of mastered music tracks to determine if they can
be released to the client as final deliverables.
Knowledge and Understanding (K)
A. Organizational
Context
(Knowledge of the
company /
organization and its
processes)
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KA1. timelines and budgets available for producing original music.
KA2. how to appoint/choose qualified and skilled musicians and
technicians to meet the creative objectives.
KA3. the roles and responsibilities of the music production team.
KA4. the processes of planning and managing music production tasks and
quality checks to ensure that agreed deliverables met.
KA5. policies related to releasing final deliverables to the client.
B. Technical
Knowledge
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand:
KB1. the stylistic characteristics of the music being produced.
KB2. the technical and operational limitations of the medium for which
the music is produced.
KB3. the process of arranging music in different styles and formats.
KB4. the process of programming and sequencing music using music
technology resources.
KB5. the process of recording musicians in a studio.
KB6. the process of mixing multi-track music recordings.
KB7. the process of mastering sound recordings.
KB8. how to use of digital communication technologies (email, cloud
computing, etc.) to present work to clients and solicit feedback.
Skills (S) (Optional)
A. Core Skills/
Generic Skills
Writing Skills
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SA1. prepare clear production briefs and style guides to direct the music
production process.
SA2. provide clear written guidelines to the music producer, mix
engineer, etc. while assigning music production tasks.
SA3. write clear, concise and actionable feedback while reviewing
arrangements, music tracks and mixes.
SA4. document the progress status of music pieces/tracks in the project
for continuous monitoring.
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SA5. research the attributes of music related to genre, language, cultural
and regional significance to determine the criteria to assess the
quality of final output.
SA6. interpret feedback received through email, text messages, etc. from
clients for corrective action.
Oral Communication (Listening and Speaking skills)
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SA7. give clear instructions to the music producer/arranger while
discussing the music production plan.
SA8. give clear feedback and suggestions to the music producer/arranger
using correct musical terms during work reviews.
SA9. give clear feedback and suggestions to the music producer and mix
engineer using correct technical terms and terminologies while
reviewing mixes.
SA10. identify any specific suggestions for improvement from clients while
presenting and discussing music for approval.
B. Professional Skills Plan and Organize
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB1. plan music production timeline and schedule in consultation with
the music producer.
SB2. organise sufficient review of work progress and quality to ensure
that the deliverables can be fully met as agreed with the client.
Analytical Thinking
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB3. form clear, step-by-step guidance to lead the music production
team through the different stages of arranging and producing music.
Problem Solving
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB4. encourage innovation and creativity among the team to overcome
challenges in arranging and producing music according to the
original creative concept.
SB5. address any potential delays or schedule conflicts adequately to
minimize its impact on agreed deliverables.
Critical Thinking
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
SB6. assess the quality of music using established criteria to ensure that
they meet agreed quality standards.
