Conductor & Music Director
Philadelphia Sinfonia Association
Organization: Philadelphia Sinfonia Association www.philadelphiasinfonia.com
Job Title: Conductor & Music Director Salary Range: $52,000 - $56,000
Date Posted: June 23, 2025 Search Ends: July 18, 2025
Projected Start Date: August 18, 2025
Philadelphia Sinfonia Association Youth Orchestra Program
About Our Organization:
Philadelphia Sinfonia Association (PSA) serves 150 young instrumentalists, ranging from exceptional elementary through college level students, who are enrolled in one or more of its four ensembles. The program consists of a beginning string orchestra, two full symphonic orchestras and a string chamber orchestra. Beginning its 28th season, the orchestra has been featured at important local events, performed benefit concerts, and frequently collaborates with local and internationally recognized soloists, composers and ensembles.
Our Mission
Philadelphia Sinfonia supports the artistic growth of young musicians by providing a high-level ensemble experience in a supportive, educational environment. We believe that the pursuit of excellence requires performers with integrity, working together toward a common goal. Thus, our mission is three-fold: to provide ensemble opportunities for young musicians, to achieve the highest level of artistic advancement, and to educate young people broadly to be strong citizens and leaders as well as responsible musicians.
We recruit from a demographically diverse student population to provide an opportunity to anyone who musically qualifies and to enrich the experience of all members of the organization.
Position Summary:
The Music Director works in close collaboration with the Managing Director and with members of the Board of Directors, and serves as the orchestras’ artistic liaison with community groups.
The Music Director oversees the program’s unique collaborative educational approach to in-depth orchestral training. Through historical, theoretical and formal analysis, students in this program are taught to be self-motivated individual thinkers while learning to work collaboratively within the orchestral setting.
The Music Director is responsible for the artistic operation and development of the orchestras. As such, the Music Director is the orchestra program’s primary conductor and exercises overall responsibility for all artistic matters, including repertoire selection, auditions, rehearsals, competitions, and selection of players and guest artists
Duties and Responsibilities
Musical Responsibilities
- Lead the development of the overall artistic scope and quality of PSA’s orchestral training program, including overseeing and working closely with staff conductors and monitoring each group’s program over time.
- Within each season, collaborate closely with staff conductors to determine repertoire and plan each season’s calendar (including auditions, rehearsals, and concerts), program needs, artistic budgets, etc. Order music, bowings, and orchestral equipment as needed.
- Oversee student auditions; act as judge and leader for general auditions, seating auditions, as needed, and hire outside judges for seating auditions.
- Plan season coaches, soloists and sectionals with staff conductors. Hire and communicate as needed. Pursue and coordinate collaborations between PSA and other music professionals and educational programs in Philadelphia.
- Provide oversight of staff conductors and librarian.
- Build and maintain school and private teacher relationships. Actively recruit student musicians with the intention to increase the number of student participants throughout the year.
- Provide musical/artistic oversight of special, “external,” projects (ex. PMAY)
- Oversee and attend all musical functions within the PSA program.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Attend all board meetings and provide artistic reports as needed.
- Work closely with the BOD and Managing Director (MD) to maintain and grow the PSA program, and participate in overall strategic planning.
- Act as the artistic representative of PSA to the Philadelphia music community, PSA’s collaborators, teachers, etc.
- Work with the Managing Director and staff conductors, to address student needs and issues. Compile and present personnel reviews (as requested by Board President).
- Engage in fundraising activities.
- Collaborate with conducting staff and board members to:
- Provide content for and artistic advice regarding concert programs (with MD & staff conductors).
- Provide content, review for musical accuracy, and proof newsletter (with editor)
- Compile recording for all groups, with staff conductors’ input.
- Provide artistic content to Managing Director and Marketing/Communications Committee for website, publicity and social media
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for this position will have prior experience as Music Director of an orchestra, preferably a youth orchestra, and will possess:
- A master’s degree in the music field, an education background, and extensive background and professional training in conducting.
- Administrative experience.
- High level of organization and communication skills in person, by phone, and over email.
- Artistic and educational goals that align with Philadelphia Sinfonia’s mission and vision statements.
- Strong connections with Philadelphia area professionals in the classical music field preferred.
- Comfort working with a wide range of people with diverse backgrounds.
- Willing and able to handle confidential information with discretion.
- Willing and able to work a flexible schedule as needed (Saturday rehearsals, Sunday and weekday evening concerts)
- Must undergo a background check as a condition of employment.
To apply, email a one-page cover letter, resume, list of repertoire, a video submission, three sample programs and three references with contact information (phone and email) to:
Philadelphia Sinfonia is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Please, no phone calls.
