Clinton, New York
Madison, Wisconsin
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Posted: 23-Feb-23
Location: Danville, Illinois
Type: Part Time
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Preferred Education:
Danville Symphony Orchestra
Music Director Job Description
Position Title: Music Director
Reports to: Executive Director and Board of Directors
Start Date: July 1, 2024
Salary: Commensurate with experience
The Danville Symphony Orchestra:
The Danville Symphony Orchestra is a non-profit professional orchestra in East Central Illinois, which is partially supported by the Danville Symphony Orchestra Foundation and is now in its 55th season. The DSO currently performs four ticketed subscription concerts each season and has made its mark by hosting guest artists of world class talent in both pops and classical genres. Additionally, the DSO performs two free Education Concerts (performed the same day) for students grades 4-6 every spring, supported in part through partnership with Danville District 118 schools. The orchestra actively collaborates with District 118 schools and others in the DSO regional footprint in accordance with its mission of advancing excellence in community and youth arts education.
The orchestra employs professional musicians, many with graduate degrees in music, from the surrounding region and locally. Community arts organizations and individuals have collaborated with DSO productions on an ongoing basis. The DSO occasionally hosts additional performances and in other venues, such as outdoors and in churches. It currently performs its ticketed season at the historic Fischer Theatre, a recently restored 19th-century architectural gem. On December 18th, 2022 the orchestra performed The Nutcracker with the Springfield Ballet Company at the Dick Van Dyke Auditorium at Danville High School on a stage with brand new state-of-the-art technology.
Our Community:
Danville, Illinois, population 31, 597, is a city that serves as the seat of Vermilion County. Founded in 1827, it is an area rich in historical significance. An important part of Abraham Lincoln’s history long before he was President, Danville has been designated a Gateway City to the National Park Service’s Looking for Lincoln National Heritage Area, resulting in a county rich in culture, history and museums.
Danville’s many state, county and local parks serve as a spectacular arena of fish and wildlife areas, camping and preservation areas, recreation such as hiking and biking trails, kayaking and canoeing and of course, boating in beautiful Lake Vermilion. Entertainment ranges from attending events at the beautiful, historic Fischer Theater to hearing the Sweet Adelines, the Danville Barbershop Chorus or even enjoying the Danville downtown during summer months at the Summer Sounds Festival of live music every Friday night. With food trucks galore, live music and even The Bubble Man to entertain the kids, your summer is sure to be complete. The Danville Balloon Classic, local vineyards and breweries, unique downtown shops, jazz brunch every third Sunday are all just a few of the things you can hope to enjoy in the area. Home to the historic Danville Stadium, you can catch a Danville Dans Baseball game. Just 45 minutes from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and 2 hours from Indianapolis, there is never a shortage of things to do and see.
Position Summary:
The Music Director works collaboratively with the Executive Director, Board of Directors and its various committees, staff and musicians to fulfill the orchestra’s mission:
“The Mission of the Danville Symphony Orchestra is to enrich the communities of East Central Illinois and Western Indiana with outstanding orchestral performances including talented and varied artists as well as educational outreach opportunities, which promote excellence and the appreciation of orchestral music.”
The Music Director is responsible for day-to-day artistic production: choosing the repertoire, guest artist selection and review of all musicians. Working in tandem with the Executive Director, the Music Director serves as the artistic leader, striving to sustain the visibility and community involvement of the orchestra.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Leadership: Partner with the Board and Executive Director to support the overall mission and long-range future planning of the orchestra. Demonstrate artistic excellence as a musician and conductor. Express the ability to articulate and deliver an artistic vision. Maintain high artistic standards while delivering relevant programs to the community.
- Artistic Planning: Collaborate with Executive Director, Artist Advisory Committee and Marketing Committee to design compelling programs of cultural and educational value. Introduce symphonic music to current and new audiences while maintaining budgetary considerations, artistic goals and the needs of the community. Plan rehearsal schedule, concert dates, venues and auditions.
- Conducting: Serve as principal conductor, in charge of all rehearsals and performances of the Danville Symphony Orchestra. Lead well organized, efficient rehearsal schedules with personnel and guest artist considerations. Recruit new members and hold auditions for chair vacancies. Determine and communicate seating arrangements and dress standards.
- Development: Serve as a vital community presence in the arts, communicating the orchestra’s mission, and gleaning donor and patron support though personal charisma and relationship building. Support fundraising efforts through outreach, acquisition of concert sponsorships, chair endowments and other donations.
- Oversee Staff: Employees reporting directly to the Music Director include the Personnel Manager, Orchestra Librarian and Stage Manager. The Music Director is responsible for working with Personnel Manager, ensuring staffing for each concert is appropriate, timely and within budget. Work with Orchestra Librarian making sure all required pieces are ordered in a timely manner. Oversee work of the Stage Manager/Technical Director and crew. Provide annual performance evaluations of, and reviews with the aforementioned staff members, when appropriate.
- Committees and Board Meetings: Work in concert with the appropriate DSO committees in accordance with the DSO By-laws and Music Director job description. Attend DSO Board of Director meetings when requested.
- Budgetary Parameters: Operate within the budgetary parameters set by the DSO Board of Directors, providing accurate and timely cost estimates to the board.
Requirements:
The successful candidate will have:
- Master’s Degree in Conducting or related field.
- At least five years relevant experience in a major conducting position, or in frequent guest conducting engagements with professional symphony orchestras.
- A demonstrated commitment to musical excellence and the ability to guide and direct the orchestra to achieve musical excellence.
- Foster deep respect for the orchestra, the organization, and the art form.
- Possess the charisma to inspire the value of great music and the importance and value of having a professional orchestra in our community.
- Demonstrate a high level of professional accomplishment, striving to encourage innovation and growth.
- Possess a history of excellence and artistic collaboration through presentation of meaningful, relevant programs.
To apply please submit resume, three references and a video performance link to Executive Director, Kay Welch: kay@danvillesymphony.org Deadline for submission May 1, 2023.