Clinton, New York
Madison, Wisconsin
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Posted: 17-Mar-23
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Type: Part Time
Salary: $25,000 - $35,000 annually
MUSIC DIRECTOR POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT & JOB DESCRIPTION
OPPORTUNITY
With a 40-year legacy of excellent musical performances and a tireless commitment to music lovers across the city and county of Baltimore, the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (BCO) invites applications from individuals with a history of musical leadership and passion for ambitious, world-class, community-centered performances to be considered as the company’s next Music Director.
COMPANY MISSION & HISTORY
The mission of Baltimore Chamber Orchestra is to move, inspire, and educate Baltimore’s community through world-class performances.
Maestra Anne Harrigan led the BCO’s first performance on January 29, 1984. She introduced audiences to a chamber orchestra offering accessible, high-quality music with an intimate touch. BCO has since grown to occupy an essential niche in Baltimore’s thriving arts scene.
Maestro Markand Thakar succeeded Anne Harrigan in June 2004. Maestro Thakar made his debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1997 and was a long-time member of the graduate conducting faculty at The Peabody Conservatory. Under his leadership, BCO recorded three CDs released on the Naxos label, gave five concerts on tour in China, presented a New York debut praised by The New York Times, performed on the University of Delaware’s Masterplayers series, and hosted numerous workshops training emerging conductors from around the world.
The company’s reputation for artistic excellence has expanded throughout the Mid-Atlantic region from key appointments of several artistic and creative partners. Jonathan Leshnoff was named BCO’s Composer in Residence in 2007. Audrey Wright became BCO’s Concertmaster in the fall of 2019 after winning unanimous approval by BCO’s musicians, music director, and trustees following competitive concert auditions held the previous season. The orchestra’s roster features forty of the area’s best professional musicians who perform in the 973-seat Kraushaar Auditorium at Goucher College, an intimate venue offering listeners an ideal level of musical clarity and nuance in performance. A committed and enthusiastic Board of Trustees composed of 15 community leaders, philanthropic advisors, and music lovers oversee the organization’s operations and generate local business and media partnerships to expand the visibility of the orchestra.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The following list of qualifications include examples of characteristics that the search committee hopes to find in a successful candidate. The examples are neither requirements nor pre-requisite expectations to be considered for the role. Interested individuals are encouraged to review the list through this lens and demonstrate how they represent the desired qualities in and through their personal and professional experiences.
- Ability to think strategically and curate a creative and holistic vision for both annual and long-term artistic programming.
- An advanced degree and/or equivalent experience conducting musical ensembles, groups and orchestras in broad-ranging musical performances and repertoire.
- Demonstrated success expanding audiences' appreciation for new and unfamiliar classical works.
- Engages with a collaborative spirit and desire to forge partnerships both locally and abroad.
- Poise with live audience engagement and interaction in performance.
- Proven track record of excellent musicianship informed by a deep knowledge of orchestral repertoire, historical performance practices, and musical preparation in rehearsals and performance.
- Represent and share BCO’s artistic vision with various stakeholders, including trustees, donors, and the greater Baltimore community.
- Respected relationships with world-class professional artists and instrumentalists.
POSITION OUTLINE & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Music Director works collaboratively with BCO’s Executive Director, Board of Trustees, and Musicians. The Music Director is responsible for leading all rehearsals and performances in the five-concert subscription season and advancing BCO’s reputation locally and beyond as the company’s primary artistic ambassador. The new Music Director will:
- Act as BCO’s chief artistic spokesperson.
- Cultivate long-term trust and build positive relationships with BCO’s musicians and administrative staff.
- Curate each season’s subscription concert series including repertoire selections and guest soloist recommendations.
- Design and execute BCO’s artistic vision by learning about its existing audiences’ tastes and the company’s place in Baltimore’s rich cultural landscape to develop ideas for how the company can continue to serve its current audience and attract new audiences in the future.
- Engage with and motivate guest artists to generate a quality of an artistic home.
- Establish a musical environment in rehearsals and performance centered in mutual respect and a shared passion for musical excellence.
COMMITMENT & COMPENSATION
Commitment: The Music Director is expected to make a commitment to Baltimore’s local identity in concert with BCO’s fundamental objectives, but is not required to maintain full-time residence in Baltimore.
Compensation: The annual salary range for the Music Director is between $25,000-$35,000, dependent on experience and qualifications.
Expected Start Date: Summer of 2024
APPLICATION, SEARCH PROCESS & TIMELINE
Interested parties may apply for the role by completing the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12Yp8jtTPzb_2mr1CpWRZvG5wwpIRwbHKEs3y6XWWWA
The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and plans to invite five candidates as finalists for the position. Each finalist will conduct one concert with the Orchestra during the 2023-24 season subscription series (September and November, 2023; January, March, and May, 2024). Search committee members will attend each concert and reconvene at the season’s conclusion to review the performances with the intention of recommending BCO's Board of Trustees offer the position to one of the five finalists. Apply by Friday, April 28th for best consideration.
As the only professional orchestra in the United States artistically led by a woman or person of color since its inception in 1984, BCO encourages and welcomes candidates of diverse backgrounds and experience to apply for the position. The Baltimore Chamber Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please send any questions to mdsearch@TheBCO.org with the subject: Music Director Search.