The West Shore Symphony Orchestra invites applications for the position of Music Director and Conductor starting the Spring of 2027. We seek an inspiring artistic leader who is passionate about community engagement, is committed to musical excellence, and is supportive to a group of community volunteer musicians.

Please submit applications to: 

manager@westshoresymphony.org 

or mail to:

West Shore Symphony Orchestra 

c/o Manager Jamie Fry 

275 Cumberland Pkwy #167 

Mechanicsburg, PA  17055 

To learn more about the West Shore Symphony, go to www.westshoresymphony.org. A detailed Job Description is included here.

REPORTS TO: WSSO Board of Directors

POSITION PURPOSE: To lead the Orchestra’s artistic direction by shaping its musical vision, raising performance standards, conducting all concerts, and serving as a visible public representative of the organization

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Strategic and Governance Responsibilities

• Conduct all Orchestra performances during the season, to include
• Three (3) Masterworks concerts
• One (1) Children’s Program
• One (1) Family Concert
• Any additional concerts as scheduled (e.g., Summer Pops)
• Develop and carry out the overall artistic direction of the Orchestra, in cooperation and coordination with the Board of Directors
• Serve as a member of the Orchestra’s Board of Directors, consistent with the Orchestra’s bylaws
• Work with the Board of Directors in establishing rehearsal schedules and in setting terms and conditions for all concerts
• Develop and maintain a professional, moral, and dignified reputation of the Orchestra in the community and maintain position public relationships
• Participate in public promotion and community visibility efforts for the Orchestra
• Support fundraising and other financial development activities

2. Artistic Planning & Personnel Leadership

• Recruit and audition new members
• Identify and select guest artists
• Recommend for Board approval the engagement and termination of performing members when necessary, in accordance with the terms defined by the Orchestra’s policy
• Work with the Concertmaster as appropriate; if a vacancy occurs, work with the board of directors to identify and recruit a suitable replacement
• Assist with the planning and implementation of the Orchestra’s educational program

3. Performance Preparation & Execution

• Select concert repertoire
• Prepare scores and rehearsal plans
• Lead rehearsals
• Determine seating of musicians
• Secure program notes

Performs other related duties as required within the scope of the position.

DECISION-MAKING: The Music Director uses independent judgment to carry out the responsibilities of the role, partnering with the Board for decisions that require approval under the contract or Orchestra policy

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct a large musical ensemble
• Provide leadership in maintaining the artistic direction of the Orchestra
• Evaluate ensemble performance quality, including individual performers
• Liaise with the Board of Directors as required
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing
• Travel as required

Application must include: personal letter of interest from the candidate

Resume to include conducting experience, education, and relevant artistic achievements

Sample programs conducted by the candidate within the past 5 years

Names, phone numbers and email addresses of at least three professional references

Video recordings of rehearsals or performances may be submitted with application materials as video clips (mp4) or direct links to online content such as a YouTube Channel or personal website. 

No phone inquiries, please. 

Applications will be evaluated upon submission and will remain open until Friday April 3, 2026 or until finalists a successful pool of applicants have been selected. 

About West Shore Symphony Orchestra

VENUES & GENRES? In 1989, the WSSO opened its season at the Forum in Harrisburg, then moved to Cedar Cliff High School in Camp Hill. In 1994, following the renovation of the Carlisle Theatre, the WSSO began regular performances there, as well as occasional concerts at the Pollack Center and Trinity Lutheran Church in Camp Hill. More recently, we have begun performing at Trinity High School in Camp Hill, adding yet another venue to our history! In 1991 the WSSO gave its first outdoor pops concert. Summer programs are now a regular part of our season with concerts in Boiling Springs, Harrisburg, and various parks & churches in the region. Family Concerts became significant offshoots of Masterworks concerts under the baton of Maestro Timothy Dixon. Under Jennifer Sacher Wiley's leadership, family programming became even more intentional, initially presenting free scripted "concert dramas" for our youngest audiences. Partners in these programs have included harp students from East Orange, NJ, the Mechanicsburg Area Middle School Orchestra, Susquehanna University Natives & Allies, and "Production Teams" from Camp Curtin Academy in Harrisburg and St. Patrick School in Carlisle. ... AMBITIOUS BEGINNINGS The West Shore Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1987 by Janice Young, Conductor, and Joyce Pollard, Concertmaster, initially as a collaborative effort with Messiah College. When Messiah's orchestra became student focused, Young and Pollard formed a string quartet that grew into a full community orchestra, raising seed money by playing in senior centers in the region. The WSSO's first full orchestra concert was presented on November 22, 1987 in the Mechanicsburg High School Auditorium with Pre-Concert Lecture by Jack Urling. Repertoire of that historical program was The Hebrides Overture (Fingal’s Cave), by Mendelssohn, Haydn’s Trumpet Concert in E flat Major featuring soloist Charles Long, and Dvorak's New World Symphony. CONDUCTORS Following Janice Young, guest conductors included Donna Deaven, Tina Bakowski, and Robert Wellington Pound as guest conductors in the 1999 - 2000 season. Dr. Pound of Dickinson College then conducted the Orchestra 2000 - 2003. Guest conductors that followed were Tina Bakowski, Dr Timothy Dixon, and Priscilla Howard. Dr Timothy Dixon of Messiah College was the Music Director and Conductor 2004 - 2012, and continues as Conductor Laureate. LaShae Willits conducted our 25th Silver Anniversary Concert in February 2012. As Conductor Laureate, Dr Timothy Dixon led the Orchestra November 2016 through May 2017. Dr Jennifer Sacher Wiley of Susquehanna University became the fourth permanent Music Director and Conductor of the West Shore Symphony Orchestra in June 2017. SOLOISTS & COLLABORATORS Renowned soloists have included clarinetist Yoonah Kim, violinist Gregory Fulkerson, soprano Corinne Byrne, violist, Carlisle native Ofir Tomer, and harpist Robin Gordon-Cartier. More recently we have collaborated with bass singer Damian Savarino, string bassist Patricia Weitzel and cellist Andrew Rammon. Under the leadership of Jennifer Sacher Wiley, collaborations have extended beyond soloists to include Cantate Carlisle, the Harrisburg Choral Society, community narrators such as Aji Abraham (Capital Cross Blue Shield), along with the Capital Area Music Association, and Sankofa African American Theatre Company. The WSSO now holds annual Concerto Competitions for high school and undergraduate students in the region, featuring winners on spring programs. COMMISSIONED WORKS The Orchestra has performed world premieres, such as Garrett Byrnes’ In a Moment of Simple Beauty (2005,) Timothy Robertson’s electric guitar concerto, “Spring Variations,” (2016), "City" by jazz bass soloist & composer Joshua Davis (2018) and "Two Scenes for Orchestra" by Erin Graham (2022). Other living composers whose music has been performed by the WSSO are Aleksandra Pakhmutova, Huang Ruo, Hilary Tann, Patrick Long, Deborah Henson-Conant, Tan Dun, Jared Impichchaachaaha' Tate, and Nancy Ives. Our current Maestro has arranged "Rasika Für Elise" for the orchestra and our local Rasika Dance Company, two Ukrainian Popular Songs by Mykola Lysenko, and songs by Francesca Caccini.

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