Holland Area Youth Orchestra Conductor

Job Description

Job Description

The Holland Symphony Orchestra (HSO) is seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as the music director and conductor of the Holland Area Youth Orchestra (HAYO), which is an educational outreach program of HSO. Committed to the pre-professional training of young musicians in the greater Holland area, HAYO is a full orchestra of students through age 21 who join the orchestra through an audition process or formal recommendation from a music educator. Rehearsal times are traditionally held on Monday evenings from 6:00-8:30pm, September through March in the Study Hall at the Midtown Center, downtown Holland, Michigan. Formed in 1988, HAYO has grown from a string orchestra to a full orchestra (strings, winds, and percussion), grades 6 through age 21. Members of HAYO represent many different schools in the greater Holland and Lakeshore area. Two formal concerts are scheduled during the season, one in late fall and the other in early spring.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the HSO Education Coordinator and HSO President & CEO, the Music Director & Conductor

(MDC) is responsible for the artistic operation and development of the orchestra. As such, the MDC is the youth orchestra's primary conductor and exercises authority in all artistic matters, including repertoire selection, auditions, rehearsals, competitions, and selection of players. The MDC will work in close collaboration with the HSO Education Coordinator, HSYO Managers, the Rehearsal Manager, and members of the HSO Education Committee and will serve as the orchestra's artistic liaison with community groups.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Musical Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the HSO Education Coordinator and HSYO staff in planning the concert season.

• Collaborate with the HSO Education Coordinator, HSYO managers, and the HSO Education Committee

in developing long-range artistic, marketing, and recruitment plans for the orchestra.

• Select works to be performed and determine the number of rehearsals and kind of rehearsals (sectionals,

etc.) required with staff.

• Coordinate the purchase or rental of scores and communicate expenditures to HSO Librarian. Ensure

that all bowings and markings are clear and consistent.

• Stay abreast of repertoire appropriate for youth instrumentalists; determine levels of difficulty for the

group; ensure the effective use of all orchestra players. Updated repertoire and performance details are

to be communicated at least 6 weeks prior to performance to the HSO Education Coordinator and HSO

President & CEO.

• Oversee student auditions and competitions; establish musical criteria for both. Select and approve

players; select principal players; determine seating within each section.

• Select coaches and judges, as needed, in compliance with adopted budgets.

• Determine the stage setup to present the orchestra at its best acoustically and visually; collaborate with

the Rehearsal Manager in arranging for any special musical needs.

• Should the need to hire substitute musicians arise, the MDC is responsible for communicating exact

instrumentation, parts, and ensemble needs, to the hired substitute musician and HSO President & CEO

in a timely fashion. The hiring of substitute musicians must have prior approval from the HSO President

& CEO.

• Conduct all rehearsals and concerts as agreed by contract and supervise the work of any

assistant/substitute conductors. Should the MDC need to hire a replacement for a rehearsal or

performance, it is the responsibility of the MDC to coordinate, manage, and provide financial

compensation for the replacement conductor. All replacements need prior approval from the HSO

President & CEO.

• Exercise leadership in developing the total artistic quality of the orchestra

Non-Musical Responsibilities

• Serve as the orchestra's artistic liaison with schools and community music educators; develop a

collaborative working relationship by visiting each of the five major school systems.

• Play a visible and active role in the community; help develop the overall public image of the orchestra in

the community and beyond.

• Assist in the general promotion by being available for public appearances.

• Assist in fund-raising activities.

• Stay abreast of artistic activities in the orchestra field; recommend to the HSO Education Coordinator

and HSO Education Committee new activities that may advance the orchestra's objectives.

• Attend HSO Education Committee and HSO Board of Directors Meetings.

** COMPENSATION **

Compensation for the MDC will be based on experience. The range for this position is $5,000-$7,000

annually, which is paid monthly starting in September and ending in March.

** INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR RELATIONSHIP & REQUIREMENTS **

The MDC is an independent contractor and not an employee of HSO, and shall have exclusive control over the manner, means, and methods of fulfilling the responsibilities described above. The HSO is not responsible for withholding taxes, fulfilling labor, or employment requirements, and it does not offer independent contractors benefits such as insurance, retirement, vacation, or paid time off.

While a master’s degree in music education and/or conducting is preferred, college and university bachelor's degrees in music education, conducting, or performance will be considered. A minimum of 2 years of experience as a music educator, director, or conductor of a youth orchestra or ensemble is required.

Company Description

Founded in 1990, the Holland Symphony Orchestra is a community-supported ensemble committed to
engaging all people through music to enrich the cultural life of West Michigan. To that end, Holland Symphony

Orchestra strives to meet the following goals:

• Create varied, quality symphonic concerts to entertain and inspire;
• Provide educational programs to promote a lifelong interest in music;
• Expand relevant community collaborations and respond to community needs;
• Increase audience and patron participation; and
• Assure responsible stewardship of financial and human resources.

Holland Symphony Orchestra is broadly recognized as an exceptional cultural institution throughout the
State of Michigan, the West Michigan area, and within our arts peer groups based on artistic quality, the size and growth of our audience, our fiscal strength and stability, and the success of our education and community programs.

For more information about the Holland Symphony visit

Company Description

Founded in 1990, the Holland Symphony Orchestra is a community-supported ensemble committed to\nengaging all people through music to enrich the cultural life of West Michigan. To that end, Holland Symphony\n\nOrchestra strives to meet the following goals:\n\n• Create varied, quality symphonic concerts to entertain and inspire;\n• Provide educational programs to promote a lifelong interest in music;\n• Expand relevant community collaborations and respond to community needs;\n• Increase audience and patron participation; and\n• Assure responsible stewardship of financial and human resources.\n\nHolland Symphony Orchestra is broadly recognized as an exceptional cultural institution throughout the\nState of Michigan, the West Michigan area, and within our arts peer groups based on artistic quality, the size and growth of our audience, our fiscal strength and stability, and the success of our education and community programs.\n\nFor more information about the Holland Symphony visit