Rockville, Maryland
St. Paul, Minnesota
BETHESDA, Maryland
Posted: 20-Feb-25
Location: Tampa, Florida
Type: Part Time
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Preferred Education:
Music Director (Part-Time)
About the Organization
The Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra (“TMYO”) is a 501(c)(3) entity located in Tampa, Florida. TMYO is committed to providing young musicians with exceptional orchestral training and performance opportunities. TYMO is recognized as a premier youth orchestra. It engages students with unique musical experiences to cultivate, develop, and guide future patrons, performers, and leaders of tomorrow. TMYO’s community of music educators, professional musicians, and dedicated parents share a common vision to build a high-caliber youth orchestra and a lifelong audience for classical music in the Bay area.
TMYO consists of (4) orchestras as well as additional chamber ensembles. Our membership consists of grade school level students from all over the Tampa Bay community. Our Symphony Orchestra, the top tier full orchestra, is central to our mission, and we are committed to fostering a supportive, engaging, and professional environment for our students. TMYO maintains a deep connection with arts community leaders: Florida’s professional orchestra, The Florida Orchestra and faculty from The University of South Florida, through unique experiences such as side by side concerts and sectional coaching. TMYO also holds public concerto competitions and a Summer Camp.
SUMMARY
TYMO’s Music Director reports to the Board of Directors. The Music Director plays an integral role in the strategic vision and artistic direction of TMYO. This individual serves as the lead authority in determining artistic and educational aspects of TMYO’s programs. The TMYO Music Director should possess a degree pertinent to conducting and experience relevant to working with and developing young orchestral musicians. Previous successful experience inspiring and leading advanced student musicians in a large ensemble setting required as well as experience in concert programming within orchestral and academic institutions. The TMYO Music Director is a champion and advocate for music education and performance in the Tampa Bay area and builds and nurtures relationships on behalf of the organization within the professional arts and music education community. The TMYO Music Director works closely in collaboration with the Executive Director as a part of the organization’s leadership team.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Artistic/Educational:
- Conduct the TMYO Symphony Orchestra, leading the ensemble in all concerts, weekly rehearsals, and special engagements in a timely and professional manner.
- Program season repertoire for the Symphony Orchestra and oversee the selection of season repertoire for all TMYO ensembles in keeping with the organization’s mission and vision, and in cooperation with designated participants in the process.
- Participate in the musician screening process, in collaboration with TMYO’s staff conductors. Assist with matters relating to musician placement, seating, attendance, parent inquiries, and other items.
- Oversee all artistic roles of TMYO artistic staff and supervise those areas of their duties, including staff conductors, instrument specialists, and guest artists. Regularly observe the rehearsals/ sectionals/ etc. of the artistic staff. Collaborate with TMYO section coaches to determine and clearly communicate rehearsal and sectional coaching priorities.
- Engage in planning and discovery of artistic collaborations with other arts organizations, in collaboration with the Executive Director.
- Maintain a high (or expert) knowledge of standard orchestral repertoire including, but not limited to, standard youth symphony repertoire. Educate Symphony Orchestra regarding the selected repertoire.
Attend board meetings as ex-officio.
Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Recruitment:
- Actively engage and participate in musician identification and recruitment for participation in TMYO ensembles.
- Build, develop, and cultivate fruitful relationships with music professionals, educators and private teachers in Tampa Bay, including regular outreach and visits in classroom settings.
- Represent TMYO as a guest educator/clinician in area schools and events.
- Collaborate with the Executive Director to advocate for music education, represent TMYO, and remain visible and active in the community, including visits with stakeholders, donors, music educators, music professionals and private teachers.
- Serve as the organization’s artistic and educational voice through public appearances, including, but not limited to, media appearances, online and print communications in consultation with the Executive Director.
Program Administration:
- Work closely with TMYO staff to coordinate ensemble activities and communications. · Provide input and collaborate with the Executive Director and Board to shape and define TMYO programs.
- Make recommendations to the Executive Director regarding adjustments and refinements in program structure, scope and offerings.
- Consult with the Executive Director on the overall efficacy of TMYO programs. · Collaborate with the Executive Director and operations staff to determine personnel needs and other program aspects and needs.
- Collaborate with the Executive Director and operations staff to evaluate, refine and determine core programmatic processes, including annual auditions, chair auditions and other criteria pertinent to student participation; participate in execution of such processes.
- Adhere to budgets and submission timelines for program-related information and execution.
- Participate in organizational meetings, including staff meetings and board meetings as requested; attend special events and constituent relationship meetings as requested.
- Foster a strong culture of collegiality among all TMYO youth musicians, families, and staff.
- Other duties as assigned.
OTHER DETAILS
Compensation: Commensurate with experience
Workload: This position is a part-time, salaried position. TMYO’s ensembles, the Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphonic Strings, and String Concertino rehearse weekly, currently on Monday evenings (4pm - 8pm). Dress rehearsals and concerts are held each semester, Winter and Spring. Office hours and school visits shall occur during mutually agreed-upon times within weekdays, other activities as scheduled. The bulk of the season occurs during the months of August-May with planning and shortened summer activities during the months of June-July. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer. TMYO will consider all qualified applicants equally, and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military status, physical or mental disability, or any legally protected status.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Orchestral conducting experience and broad knowledge of orchestral repertoire and demonstrated experience with concert programming and adolescent musical development.
- Bachelor’s degree in music or music education required; additional desired qualifications, M.M or D.M.A. in Orchestral Conducting or comparable experience.
- Ability to articulate and demonstrate a deep appreciation for, understanding of, and sensitivity to the needs of high performing youth.
- Ability to maintain the highest artistic and educational standards while remaining supportive, patient, and approachable.
- Broad knowledge of orchestral repertoire suitable for youth orchestras, including both standard repertoire and that of underrepresented and modern composers.
HOW TO APPLY
Candidates must submit the following materials to isaac@gwlawpa.com (Isaac Ruiz-Carus, Board President):
- Cover Letter addressing interest, experience with youth orchestras, and how you plan to collaborate to fulfill the TMYO mission (PDF format)
- Resume or CV (PDF format)
- A minimum of three (3) professional references with contact information (PDF format)
- Recent conducting videos (within 2 years) – 3 video links (submitted by email via an unlisted YouTube link).
- Video or recording of a media interview and/or a concert talk is strongly encouraged but not required.
Review Process
-Prescreening of materials
-Initial interviews via zoom with Board members
-Callback interviews of finalists along with trial rehearsal of Symphony Orchestra
Deadline: March 7, 2025
*Materials submitted after the deadline will still be considered, if the position has not been filled.
Please direct questions to: to isaac@gwlawpa.com (Isaac Ruiz-Carus, Board President)