Assistant Conductor

JOB PURPOSE AND REPORTING STRUCTURE

The MSO seeks an assistant conductor who will inspire musicians and listeners of all ages, expand the community’s interest in the orchestra, and assist the Music Director in any musical matter. The assistant conductor will report to the Vice President of Artistic Planning and Operations.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Ideal candidates will have demonstrated experience and accomplishment in each of these specialties:

Conductor (on the podium)

1. As an interpreter of music, has the ability to inspire, challenge, and improve musicians collectively and individually.
2. As a technician, communicates clearly, both visually and verbally.
3. Manages rehearsal time well.
4. Skillful as a concerto accompanist and choral conductor
5. Works collaboratively and respectfully with performers, while maintaining high expectations.
6. Uses good humor and fun to lighten the load.

Artistic Planner and assistant to the Music Director

1. Pursues excellence resourcefully and imaginatively
2. As a programmer, balances the extremes of personal and institutional taste, new and familiar works, including works by diverse and historically excluded composers, preferences of musicians and listeners, popular and serious repertoire, idealism and pragmatism, easy and difficult.
3. Improves their musical knowledge through inquiry and scholarship.
4. Successfully blends national experience with local circumstances.
5. Works collaboratively and respectfully with trustees, volunteers, educators, and staff.
6. In pops and educational repertoire, is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and willing.

Educator

1. Embraces the MSO mission to expand the music education of children, youth, and adults.
2. Communicates a personal passion for music.
3. Communicates clearly and patiently.
4. Interacts well with children.

Public Representative of MSO

1. Maintains high personal standards of integrity, reliability, and congeniality.
2. Helps to maximize collaborative opportunities.
3. Serves as a convincing MSO spokesman in any arena.

The MSO Assistant Conductor responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 

1. Rehearse and conduct performances such as tour and run-out concerts, family and pops concerts, film concerts, education concerts, special event and community concerts and other concerts as needed or assigned
2. Cover all classical subscription rehearsals, performances, recording sessions, television tapings, livestream programs, and tours, and be prepared to take over the conducting of specified concerts on a moment’s notice
3. Serve as primary conductor for all educational services
4. Assist the Music Director and Guest Conductors on artistic matters, and work closely with staff on concert planning and implementation.
5. Serve as a leader in the MSO’s education and community engagement programs, including research, programming, guest artist selection, interaction with teachers and advisors, school visits, lectures, and presentations.
6. Provide program research and review works submitted by composers.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individuals must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Meaningful conducting experience and knowledge of concert programming, with knowledge of popular styles and genres

Master’s degree, artist’s diploma in conducting, or equivalent experience strongly preferred

Experience working with youth

CERTIFICATES OR LICENSES REQUIRED

Driver’s License.

 OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

This position requires the ability to work effectively with orchestra musicians, staff, outside labor, guest artists, presenters, and volunteers, among others. The ability to act with discretion and handle sensitive, confidential information is a must. An understanding of working with various labor constituencies and a background in professional concert event production is required. The position requires the ability to pay attention to details, handle many projects simultaneously, and demonstrate good judgment and maturity in decision-making. Also required are excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to be a team player and a team leader, motivate others, manage others and have an interest and understanding of orchestra repertoire. They must have the ability to work collaboratively across the organization.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The assistant conductor is required to maintain a residence in the greater Milwaukee metropolitan area.

PHYSICAL AND VISION DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Specific physical abilities require by this job include the ability to walk quickly, stand, and move agilely for extended periods of time in venues and production spaces; ability to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to employ the most qualified person available for a job. This policy recognizes individual differences and the specific demands of each position. The MSO has a firm commitment to extend equal opportunity for employment and promotion to all people without regard to age, race, creed, color, disability, marital status, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, arrest or conviction record, military service or any other characteristic prohibited by law except where a bona fide occupational qualification precludes employment.

 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

The MSO complies with all provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Accommodation of Disabilities. This means that we do not discriminate against any qualified individual with a disability in any phase of the employment relationship to include: application for employment, recruitment, hiring, promotion, and/or advancement in employment, compensation, training opportunities or other terms, conditions or privileges of employment.

The MSO believes in and practices equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementation of this policy. All questions about this Act should be discussed with the Human Resources Manager.

COMPENSATION

$55,000-$65,000, commensurate with experience. The assistant conductor is entitled to all benefits available to full-time employees including health, dental, life and long-term disability insurances and eligibility to participate in vision insurance, flexible spending account plans, and staff retirement savings plans.

The above is representative of the position; there may be other activities or responsibilities required which are not listed.  This does not constitute a contract with any person in any position.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Individuals should submit a cover letter, current resume, and three professional references. Candidates are also required to submit 2-3 current video work samples of 10-15 minutes of total length. Please send all applications to assistantconductor@mso.org

Application deadline: Friday, March 24, 2023. Applicants must be available to attend a live audition on Thursday, May 18, 2023.