OrchKids Summer Intern 2024

Reports to: Will be assigned to one supervisor dependent on the scope of work

Dates: July 8th – July 26th, 2024

  • Also required to attend the following dates:
    • Orientation on June 17 from 1-4pm 
    • Orientation on June 18 from 1-4pm
    • Load-In on June 28 from 10am-4pm
    • Load-Out on July 26 following the final concert

Hours:  Approximately 25 hours per week during program time (Monday – Friday, 8 am – 3:30 pm).  Hours can be flexible depending on availability.  

Compensation:  Both paid and unpaid internships are available.  

  • Paid interns receive $150/week and must be available to work 25 hours per week. These positions are typically offered to college students who are interested in pursuing a career in music, education, and arts administration.  
  • Unpaid internships are often pursued by high school and college students looking to fulfill service learning requirements (or those who are just interested in supporting a musically-driven environment).

THE BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and ORCHKIDS

For over a century, the BSO has been recognized as one of America’s leading orchestras and one of Maryland’s most significant cultural institutions. As the largest cultural institution in Maryland, the BSO is internationally recognized and locally admired for its innovation, performances and recordings, and educational community initiatives including OrchKids. 

OrchKids uses music as a vehicle for students to develop 21st century skills (creativity, collaboration, leadership, etc.) that are transferable to all areas of their lives. Marin Alsop, Music Director Laureate of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and OrchKids Founding Director, shaped OrchKids into the cornerstone of the BSO’s community engagement efforts across the city with her artistic leadership and direction. OrchKids was founded in 2008 with 30 students at one elementary school with seed funding from Marin Alsop and Founding Donors Rheda Becker and Robert E. Meyerhoff.

OrchKids now works with seven schools in Baltimore City, serving over 1,800 children from Pre-K through 12th grade during school, after school, and in weeklong workshops. 

In collaboration with several community partners OrchKids provides music education, instruments, academic assistance, meals, mental health resources, connection to social services, as well as performance and mentorship opportunities at no cost to students and families. OrchKids is an acknowledged leader in the El Sistema and social-change through music movement throughout the world.

Job Summary: 

The BSO OrchKids program is seeking interns for its 2024 Summer Session. Interns will work with OrchKids staff to provide support in the operations of a large music education non-profit. In addition to assisting with teaching responsibilities, administrative duties, and special program projects, interns will have the opportunity to gain leadership experience, develop professional goals, and learn from experienced OrchKids teaching artists and staff in musical and creative activities. Additionally, interns will get ideas on how to incorporate compositions/improvisation in all forms of music instruction by participating in and observing Collective Composition week.

Responsibilities:  

The focus of intern work is flexible and dependent on skills, instrument, and interest. A specific schedule and area of focus will be created by the Director of Education and Education Coordinator who will assist the interns throughout their time with the organization. Areas of responsibility may include but are not limited to: 

  • Day-to-day program operations:
    • Support with managing instrument and supply inventory 
    • Assist with music sheets preparation (copying/printing) and distribution 
    • Help with student transitions and dismissal
    • Assist with classroom setup and teardown
    • Assist program staff with child management support
  • Concert logistics and event management
  • Artistic research projects
  • Videography, photography, and graphic design
  • Teaching:
    • Instrumental Music:
      • Assist lead instructors in group classes and ensemble rehearsals
      • Engage in one-on-one pull-outs with students 
    • Art Class:  Assist with the creation and management of art projects for enrichment classes

Experience and Qualifications:

  • Passion for and belief in OrchKids’ mission (visit our website to learn more: www.orchkids.org
  • Desire to be a motivational mentor and role model for OrchKids students and community
  • Flexibility and ability to work collaboratively and in a responsive manner 
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Background in music, education, and/or youth development is a plus
  • Personal transportation to and from Goucher College
  • Comfortability with and access to  a computer that can access Google Drive files and email regularly

OUR CULTURE AS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and OrchKids use the BSO mission and shared values (Appendices) to govern decisions, actions, and behaviors. These values guide how we conduct our work and professional relationships: Creativity, Respect, Excellence, Education/Engagement, and Diversity. We are focused on a people-first culture for our patrons and our entire BSO family. 

The BSO is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, differing physical abilities, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, other non-merit factors. 

The BSO is committed to improving and protecting the health of our musicians, staff, and our communities. We comply fully with the COVID-19 requirements of the state of Maryland and the city of Baltimore. It is required that employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment. 

How to Apply: 

Please submit a cover letter and resume to orchkids@bsomusic.org with OrchKids Summer Intern 2024 in the subject.  In your cover letter, please highlight in which areas of responsibility you are most qualified and interested in working.  No phone calls please. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. 

To apply for this job email your details to orchkids@bsomusic.org

Our Mission

“The BSO performs the highest quality symphonic music of all eras that nurtures the human spirit. The BSO is committed to engaging, inspiring, educating, and serving diverse audiences and to enhancing Baltimore and the State of Maryland as a cultural center of vitality and importance.”

BSO Creed: Our Shared Values

CREATIVITY

  • We believe the BSO is first and foremost an artistic institution that is dedicated to the finest creative musical
  • We seek to facilitate opportunities for creative approaches that allow musicians, staff, board, and partners to collaborate to serve our
  • We strive to inform all decisions with our commitment to innovation and continuous

RESPECT

  • We believe the BSO should value, appreciate, and treat all individuals - patrons, staff, musicians, guest artists, and volunteers with compassion, respect, and
  • We seek to create a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable environment for
  • We strive to embrace all human differences and commit to caring and civility towards all with whom we work and

EXCELLENCE

  • We believe it is an honor to present great music to stir and nurture the
  • We seek to attract, develop, and retain the best talent in all musicians, staff, board, and Everyone who works at the BSO has an important role to play in our success.
  • We strive to act with uncompromising integrity and

ENGAGEMENT / EDUCATION

  • We believe deep connections to the diverse communities we serve are essential to our
  • We seek to inspire and educate with powerful and meaningful musical experiences for audiences of all ages.
  • We strive to nurture the talents of musicians of all ages with accessible educational initiatives and
  • We strive to create a culture where musicians, staff, board, and volunteers communicate, collaborate, understand, and appreciate each other’s work.

DIVERSITY

  • We believe diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging – with respect to race, gender, and personal identity – are cultural and strategic imperatives.
  • We seek to create a culture of excellence that ensures access and inclusion of diverse voices in all that we
  • We strive to use the universal language of music to bring people together and embrace our multicultural