JOB SUMMARY: The Music Director is responsible for the artistic operation and development of the Billings Symphony (the "Symphony"), pursuant to policies established by the Symphony Board of Directors. The Music Director will work in close cooperation with the Symphony Board and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and within the limits set by the Symphony's annual budget. 

The Music Director has the final responsibility for making decisions of an artistic nature, including, but not limited to, the selection of personnel for the orchestra, selection of repertoire, and selection of guest artists and guest conductors. The budget must be approved by the Board. 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: The Music Director is responsible and accountable to the Board of Directors. The Music Director supervises the Orchestra Musicians under the terms of the Master Agreement as well as the Chorale Director. The Music Director operates in a cooperative relationship with the CEO and directs (artistic and production) tasks to the Director of Artistic Operations. 

TIME IN BILLINGS: The Music Director shall reside in Billings, Montana, for a minimum of 70 days per season for purposes of conducting rehearsals and performances, working with the Director of Artistic Operations, fundraising and public relations duties. The Music Director will be provided with a car and excellent lodging during their residency in Billings, Montana if they reside outside of Yellowstone County.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

• A wealth of orchestral conducting experience and exposure
• Experience in working with a board
• Seasoned in both artistic and personnel matters
• Willingness to adhere to the Master Agreement, focusing on excellence and artistic growth
• Ability to cultivate a positive culture of trust, respect and leadership in the orchestra and community
• Ability to cultivate donors

SUBMISSION and APPLICATION:

• FULL CONSIDERATION will be given to applicants that submit materials no later than Monday, February 3, 2025. 
• Finalists will conduct a concert with the Billings Symphony during the 2026/27 season. 
• The start date for the selected candidate will be June 2027. 
• ALL materials should be submitted in one email to SearchCommittee@BillingsSymphony.org

• • Letter of Interest
  • Full Resume
  • 3 Reference Letters (1 from a musician you have directed, and 2 from board members or administrative leadership)
  • 1 conducting video of a live performance.

The Billings Symphony is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from diverse candidates, and we are committed to the creation of an inclusive work and performance environment for all employees. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, gender expression/identity, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, or sexual orientation.

The Music Director fulfills this role by completing the following responsibilities:

Artistic

• Create an artistic vision that supports the objectives of the organization as identified in the Strategic Initiatives.
• Uphold the vision and core values of the organization.
• Serve on the Artistic Advisory Committee as an ex-officio member.
• Select repertoire with input from the Artistic Advisory Committee, the Board, the CEO, Musicians and audience, designed to encourage concert attendance and generate and maintain interest in symphonic music for the Symphony’s audience.
• Select the highest quality guest artists and guest conductors possible within budget parameters.
• Present, in consultation with the CEO and Artistic Advisory Committee, a fully realized program for the upcoming season at the Board of Directors’ December meeting. For the purpose of this job description, "the season" includes the Classic Series and Sukin Series.

Budget and Planning

• With the CEO, develop a rehearsal and concert schedule that utilizes the best musicians available and maximizes audience potential.
• Cultivate artistic partnerships with area arts leaders.
• Use the Strategic Plan as a guideline for planning and recommend changes.
• Research new programs that respond to changing trends in audience preferences and new trends in performing arts.
• Work with Director of Artistic Operations and CEO to create Artistic and Production budgets to be completed each December with the season’s programming.
• Serve on the Strategic Planning Committee as an ex-officio member.

Rehearsals and Concerts

• Personally prepare and conduct rehearsals and performances for at least six (6) classic series concerts, one (1) Free Family and Rural educational outreach concert, one (1) Young People’s Concert, in conjunction with a classic series concert, and one (1) Symphony in the Park summer concert each season.
• Consult on and approve programming from guest conductors, who will conduct at least one classic concert per season.
• Review all performance recordings, direct editing of each recording, and designate which pieces are approved for broadcast by local and national broadcasters.
• Communicate production requirements to the Director of Artistic Operations in advance of each concert.

Orchestra Musicians

• Interpret, implement and uphold the terms of the Master Agreement where applicable. With the Orchestra Committee and the CEO, review the Master Agreement on a biennial basis and recommend changes as needed.
• Serve on all required audition committees to hire new musicians for the orchestra in accordance with the Master Agreement.
• With orchestra principal players, establish a substitute and extra hiring list.
• Within budgets, salary schedules and personnel policies adopted by the Board, and in accordance with the terms of the Master Agreement: Audition, evaluate, engage, supervise, dismiss (when appropriate and as authorized by Montana law), and assign parts to Symphony Musicians.
• Engage and supervise the Chorale Director.

Board of Directors

• Serve as an ex officio non-voting member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, excluding meetings on Employee's compensation, benefits and/or retention.
• Participate in Board of Directors meetings.
• Advise the Board on matters within the Music Director's range of responsibilities.

Administration

• Address artistic and production related matters to Director of Artistic Operations and Principal Librarian.
• Provide reasonable assistance requested by the CEO in performing duties, including meeting with the CEO or the staff to exchange information and resolve issues of mutual concern, and collaborate in the preparation of budgets and other financial or management reports for the Board.
• Form and maintain productive, supportive, respectful and professional working relationships with all musicians and staff.

Fundraising

• Assist CEO, Manager of Development, and Development Committee with fundraising efforts as requested.
• Attend at least one (1) major fundraising event per season.
• Effectively promote the Symphony in Billings and the region to donors and prospective donors.
• Establish personal relationships with donors.

Marketing and Promotion

• Program repertoire with marketing opportunities in mind.
• Communicate possible marketing angles to CEO.
• Participate in media interviews.
• Be available for public appearances, speaking opportunities, and donor engagement events
• Project a positive and dynamic image of the organization to the community, state and industry.

Education

• Design, program and conduct interactive, multidisciplinary Family Concerts and Young People’s concerts.
• Identify and propose additional initiatives for the Explore Music! educational and outreach programs.
• Provide artistic oversight of the Billings Symphony Youth Orchestra and its conductors.

About Billings Symphony

Founded in 1951, the Billings Symphony serves the Billings, Montana metropolitan area (population of 150,000+) and surrounding communities in eastern Montana and northern Wyoming. With recent record-breaking ticket sales, a series of balanced budgets, a healthy endowment, a program of 25-30 events per year in 10 different venues, and the renovation of the 1400-seat Alberta Bair Theatre, the Billings Symphony is entering one of the most exciting periods in its history. The Billings Symphony is composed of the Billings Symphony Orchestra, Billings Symphony Chorale, and the Billings Symphony Youth Orchestra. The Billings Symphony features an eight-concert Classic Series, the Sukin Series (small ensemble and soloists), and a free Family Series that includes its annual tradition of Symphony in the Park. Each year the Billings Symphony helps introduce thousands of people in the region to music through its free Explore Music!, education and community engagement program. The Billings Symphony Chorale is a robust chorus comprised of local college students and community members. The Chorale is directed by Dr. Steven Hart, professor of choral music at Rocky Mountain College and performs with... the Billings Symphony during regular season concerts as well as offering an all-chorale concert each year. The Billings Symphony Youth Orchestra recently joined the Billings Symphony as and is open to all young musicians from pre-k to high school. Its four directors are musicians with the Billings Symphony. Billings is a regional hub for health care, retail outlets, financial services, a state university and private colleges, and cultural organizations serving a trade area of over half a million people. Due to its good schools, affordable housing, and proximity to such destinations as Yellowstone Park, the Beartooth Mountains and numerous trout and kayaking streams, in top 100 metropolitan areas in the U.S. in Wall Street Journal’s Emerging Housing Market Index. Billings’ thriving downtown scene features an accredited regional art museum, an internationally acclaimed library, a new minor league baseball park, a newly renovated performing arts theater, art cinema theater, restaurants, craft breweries, bike paths and parks.

Show more

Show less

Connections working at Billings Symphony