The DeKalb Symphony Orchestra is searching for our next Music Director & Conductor. This is a one-person part-time position. Position start date August 2021, pending appointment. Finalists will audition during the 2020-2021 season. Auditions will consist of approximately six rehearsals and one concert. The Music Director & Conductor will receive a monthly salary and report to the Board of Directors. A three-year commitment is required, not including the audition season.
About the Dekalb Symphony Orchestra
Established in 1964, DeKalb Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is a community orchestra which has served DeKalb County, Georgia and its surrounding communities by bringing audiences an enjoyable and first-class symphonic experience, yet in a relaxed and affordable setting. DSO provides audiences at least 8 concerts each year including the Subscription Series, Children’s Concert, Summer Pops Concerts, Free Community Concerts, and special performances. DSO has been housed since its inception at Georgia Perimeter College in Clarkston (now known as Perimeter College of Georgia State University’s Clarkston Campus); however, DSO is a regional organization and is not limited to DeKalb County in its service, operations or personnel.
About DeKalb County, Georgia
DeKalb County is a county in Georgia and is known as Georgia’s most diverse county. DeKalb’s County seat of Decatur, and the cities of Dunwoody and Brookhaven are the largest cities entirely within the county. Major employers in DeKalb include Emory University, Emory Healthcare and the DeKalb County School District.
Duties and Qualifications
The Music Director & Conductor functions as a senior member of the Orchestra’s Management Team and reports directly to the Board of Directors. The Director is ultimately responsible for providing all artistic vision and musical leadership aspects of the Orchestra’s operation in keeping with the adopted Mission Statement and Philosophy of Programming. Included among the specific duties of the Music Director are the following:
- Selecting the repertoire for all performances by the Orchestra in accordance with and in consideration of the artistic and educational goals of the Orchestra, costs associated with performances, availability of musicians, suitability of facilities, etc.
- Attracting, selecting and retaining quality Orchestra members, and audition new members as necessary; dismissal of current members as necessary.
- Selection of guest soloists and conductors.
- Leading other staff members to develop the Orchestra’s performance schedule.
- Planning and conducting all rehearsals of the Orchestra according to a schedule that is determined sufficiently in advance to minimize costs and to respect the time of all members of the Orchestra.
- Participating in and attending community functions and community engagement programs.
- Performing other appropriate duties as assigned by the Board of Directors that are directed toward the artistic growth and development of the Orchestra and are necessary for the good of the organization.
In addition to other duties, the Music Director is also responsible for working with the Board to develop long range artistic plans for the orchestra and assist in fundraising and promotion of funding campaigns.
Requirements
Master’s degree in Conducting, Music Education or Music Performance is required.
Applicants must have 5 or more years of demonstrated experience programming and conducting a community or professional orchestra. Strong communication, leadership and organizational skills are essential. A detailed knowledge of orchestra operations, including understanding of concert programming and a broad range of orchestral repertoire is required. Desire to create, build and maintain a community of music lovers. Comfort level and/or familiarity with fundraising in the fine arts context.
The position requires collaboration with the Board of Directors and members of the orchestra, as well as the ability to work with other staff in a supportive and collegial manner. The Music Director & Conductor serves as the public face of the DSO and must be able to meet any challenges facing the orchestra with creative solutions. The ideal candidate will be able to broaden the DSO audience by programming compelling and exciting concerts.
To apply, please submit the following:
- Personal letter of interest;
- CV/Resume;
- Biography;
- Two professional references;
- Links to videos/samples of conducting;
- At least one program from the past two years of a concert in which you served as conductor or musical adviser and
- Electronic application form found on our website.
The above should be emailed to [email protected] and should be received by 11:59pm January 31, 2020. Applicants for consideration may also be required to submit additional materials or submit to a criminal background check.