Music Director

Alaska Youth Orchestras (AYO) seeks a skilled Music Director who will work in partnership with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors to continue AYO’s legacy of providing high-quality music education and performance to the youth of Southcentral Alaska and beyond. The next Music Director has the opportunity to contribute to the growth and expansion of a successful, long-term arts education organization that is a vital part of the Anchorage arts community and the Alaska music community. The ideal candidate will have significant experience as a conductor leading a full orchestra and as a music educator. Candidates must have a proven ability to exercise leadership in developing the artistic quality of an orchestra. They must also be skilled at inspiring and guiding youth musicians as they advance their music education and performance abilities.

Position Description

The Music Director is the artistic supervisor of the Alaska Youth Orchestras (AYO), charged with the primary responsibility for the following: training and artistic development of all AYO programs, conducting the Anchorage Youth Symphony (AYS) at rehearsals and performances, supervising and advising any additional conductors hired by the AYO, engaging additional qualified individuals needed to assist in training, selecting music to be performed by AYS, and audition, selecting, and seating musicians.

In addition, the Music Director is responsible for developing and executing a recruitment program, maintaining effective relationships with school and private music instructors, and carrying out public relations activities on behalf of the organization under the direction of the AYO Executive Director.

The Music Director reports to the Board of Directors, works closely with the Executive Director, and serves as an artistic advisor to the Board and its committees. The Music Director carries out all duties and responsibilities in a manner consistent with the policies, procedures, goals, and objectives established by the AYO Board of Directors

Musical Responsibilities

• Select repertoire, programming, and productions of AYS, including regular season performances and oversee and assist the same for other music programs of the organization.
• Participate in the board’s Artistic Committee.
• Conduct all rehearsals and concerts of AYS as agreed.
• Work with Executive Director and Operations Coordinator to ensure that rehearsals and concerts are effectively managed.
• Work jointly with other staff to address the conduct and behavior challenges of musicians.
• Oversee seating of AYS and provide final seating authority for AYS.
• Select and oversee AYS coaches as needed; make changes to use of resources based on budget approval made each June.
• Ensure that the AYS repertoire is available to performers in a timely fashion with correct bowings and markings.
• Oversee the annual concerto competition(s) and engage and oversee the judges of all musical competitions.
• Work with the Executive Director to select guest soloists (as allowed by our annual budget and assist with coordination of guest artist logistics.
• Work with Executive Director and Board Chair to set the annual calendar for AYO, including rehearsals, Board, and staff meetings.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Board of Directors on long-range artistic plans.
• Other duties as assigned in Agreement with the Executive Director and Board of Directors.

Non-Musical Responsibilities

• Assists the Executive Director as liaison with schools and community music educators to develop a collaborative working relationship.
• Assists the Executive Director in playing a visible and active role in the community; helps develop the overall public image of AYO in the community and beyond.
• Assists in the general promotion of AYO by being available for public appearances
• Stays abreast of artistic activities in the orchestra field; recommends to the Executive Director new activities that may advance AYO's objectives.
• Assist in the development and implementation of a recruitment program in the local community through public schools and their music instructors.
• Serve as the orchestra's artistic liaison with community music professionals and develop a collaborative working relationship.
• Play a visible and active role in the community while helping develop the overall public image of the orchestra in the community and beyond.
• Strengthen the organizational culture by working with Board members, parents, and other volunteers on special projects.
• Attend Board meetings and provide reports on artistic activities as needed.
• Stay abreast of artistic activities in the orchestra field; recommend to the Board new activities that may advance the Board's objectives.
• Other duties as assigned in Agreement with the Executive Director and Board of Directors.