Date: January 2023
Position: Assistant Conductor, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra & Artistic Director/Conductor, Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra
Department: Artistic Operations
Reports to:
Music Director
Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer,
Senior Director of Artistic Planning,
Director of Education and Community Engagement
Classification: Full-time, exempt
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, The BSO is also known for its education and community engagement initiatives, such as OrchKids, a program that provides children with educational resources and fosters social change through the power of music in some of Baltimore’s under-resourced communities.
In July 2022, the BSO announced the appointment of Jonathon Heyward, who will succeed Music Director Laureate and OrchKids Founder Marin Alsop as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s next Music Director, starting the 2023-24 Season.
BSO: AT A GLANCE
| • Operating budget FY 21/22: | Approximately $30million |
| • Orchestra members: | 80 Players; 2 Librarians |
| • Administrative Staff: | 75 Employees |
| • OrchKids Program Staff: | 75 Team members |
JOB SUMMARY
The Assistant Conductor serves as a key member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) conducting staff, providing artistic support to the Music Director and guest conductors, and serving as cover conductor for orchestral programs. The Artistic Director and Conductor provides artistic leadership to the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras (BSYO). They serve as the Youth Orchestra conductor, lead the artistic planning for BSYO, provide artistic support and guidance to the BSYO Manager, Concert Orchestra and String Orchestra conductors, and provide guidance to guest conductors when applicable.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Assistant Conductor, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
- Initiate programming discussions and conduct special, runout, education, and summer concerts as assigned.
- Provide artistic consultation to conductors during rehearsals with particular attention to balance and articulation.
- Assist in rehearsal preparation (piano and chorus rehearsals, sectionals, vocal coaching, etc.) and score reading responsibilities.
- Serve as cover conductor for classical subscription weeks as well as select productions, special events, and any other programs as assigned.
- Assist Music Director, Senior VP and Chief Operating Officer, and artistic staff in artistic research as assigned.
- Serve as an artistic resource for BSO conducting staff and musicians.
- Assist Operations Department, video directors and audio producers with score reading, video cueing, recording sessions, supertitles, and electronic media services as needed.
- Participate in artist auditions as assigned.
- Participate in educational and community outreach activities as assigned.
- Other duties as assigned by Music Director or Senior VP and Chief Operating Officer
Artistic Director and Conductor, Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras
- Propose educational and inspirational programs, lead rehearsals, and conduct performances of BSYO from September-May
- Provide artistic consultation and direction to Concert Orchestra and String Orchestra conductors regarding their ensembles.
- Serve as conductor for BSO side-by-sides and any Youth Orchestra events on the season calendar.
- Assist with BSYO recruitment, including visits and guest conducting in schools across the region.
- Serve as judge for the Concerto Competition and annual entrance auditions.
- Participate in artist auditions as assigned.
- Participate in educational and community outreach activities as assigned.
- Collaborate and consult with BSO Education department staff to implement and execute BSYO policies.
- Maintain a positive, proactive, and professional relationship with all BSYO students and parents, BSO musicians, staff, and board.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CAPABILITIES
- Professional orchestral conducting experience
- Master’s degree in orchestral/instrumental conducting preferred
- Experience as assistant and/or cover conductor
- Broad knowledge of orchestral repertoire
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Responsive and professional demeanor
- Ability to work effectively with a wide range of personalities
- Ability to commit to a 52-week season including residence in or ability to travel to Baltimore, MD and Montgomery County
- Ability to commit to regular Sunday rehearsals 2-5pm at Carver Center in Towson, as well as three season concerts and potential weekend/night events and educational outreach concerts
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Competitive salary negotiable, commensurate with qualifications and experience
- Health insurance: two options to choose from; all at low cost to the employee
- Dental, Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance, paid entirely by the BSO
- Generous paid time off, including annual, personal and sick leave
- 403(b) Plan
- Health Savings Account, employer contributes portion
- Flexible Spending Accounts, including Medical and Dependent Care
- Employee Assistance Program
- Free/discounted tickets to BSO concerts
The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences of relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The Baltimore Symphony and Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras encourage qualified applicants to submit a cover letter, current resume, two letters of recommendation, and contact information for three professional references.
Candidates are also required to submit up to 3 video samples (20 minutes maximum total duration) demonstrating their recent work. This should include (at the minimum) 2 contrasting repertoire styles and preferably will include a work from the classical canon (as the Candidate defines that canon) and one contemporary work. Opera submissions are also acceptable. Video should be shot at close range of the conductor, taken from orchestra’s vantage point, facing the FRONT of the conductor, of either a rehearsal or performance with full symphonic or large chamber orchestral ensemble. Videos must be sent electronically with links and dates of capture (Youtube, Vimeo, etc.).
ALL MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2023.
AUDITION PROCEDURE
Initial applicants will be notified by April 1, 2023, if they have been selected as a finalist. Finalists will conduct the Baltimore Symphony and interview with BSO Administration on May 16-17, 2023. Travel, accommodations, meals, all related expenses are the sole responsibility of each candidate.
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 and a booster as a condition of employment.
APPENDIX I: BSO 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 the State of Maryland as a cultural center of vitality and importance.”
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APPENDIX II: BSO SHARED VALUES
In October 2021, the BSO Board of Directors approved the following shared values, or “BSO Creed”:
CREATIVITY
- We believe the BSO is first and foremost an artistic institution that is dedicated to the finest creative musical expression.
- We seek to facilitate opportunities for creative approaches that allow musicians, staff, board, and partners to collaborate to serve our mission.
- We strive to inform all decisions with our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.
RESPECT
- We believe the BSO should value, appreciate, and treat all individuals – patrons, staff, musicians, guest artists, and volunteers with compassion, respect, and dignity.
- We seek to create a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable environment for all.
- We strive to embrace all human differences and commit to caring and civility towards all with whom we work and serve.
EXCELLENCE
- We believe it is an honor to present great music to stir and nurture the soul.
- We seek to attract, develop, and retain the best talent in all musicians, staff, board, and volunteers. Everyone who works at the BSO has an important role to play in our success.
- We strive to act with uncompromising integrity and transparency.
ENGAGEMENT / EDUCATION
- We believe deep connections to the diverse communities we serve are essential to our mission.
- 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 programs.
- 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 do.
- We strive to use the universal language of music to bring people together and embrace our multicultural society.
To apply for this job email your details to Opsjobs@bsomusic.org
