Posted: 05-Dec-25
Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Type: Part Time
Salary: $21,000 - $26,000
Preferred Education:
ABOUT PHILHARMONIC
GTCYS’ Philharmonic orchestra attracts some of the region’s finest high school musicians who explore professional-level orchestral works, often including a major symphony in its entirety. In Philharmonic, students advance their technical abilities and develop musical sensitivity to high levels of excellence. As GTCYS’ sixth orchestra level, Philharmonic is the peak experience for some high school musicians, while others advance into GTCYS’ flagship orchestra, Symphony. Philharmonic string players typically have 7-10 years’ experience, and woodwinds, brass, percussion have 5-8 years’. Students are typically in grades 10 – 12, with some younger. The Philharmonic conductor is responsible for leading the orchestra to develop students’ orchestral skills, while instilling lifelong values such as discipline, teamwork, and service. The conductor will be a positive, supportive role model for students and a member of GTCYS’ esteemed Artistic Team comprised of 10 conductors who lead GTCYS’ 11 orchestras. GTCYS is dedicated to breaking down barriers, connecting with underrepresented students in meaningful ways, and including diverse perspectives in our programming. To help our team carry out this important work, we are seeking a conductor with direct experience working with this ability/age level and with various racial and ethnic communities to foster a diverse and inclusive learning environment.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The ideal candidate would be an active member of the professional or collegiate music community or instrumental music education field with 5+ years of direct experience working with high-achieving high school or collegiate ensembles. She/he/they would bring to GTCYS an authentic passion for orchestral music education, the skill and energy to inspire young students to the highest artistic level, a commitment to access and inclusion, ability to creatively contribute to GTCYS’ artistic vision, and a desire to commit to the position for at least 3 years. This role works in close partnership with GTCYS’ artistic director Mark Russell Smith and must have shared musical and pedagogical values, and a willingness to collaborate. The person in this role would also serve as a liaison with the music community, leading school visits and developing relationships with music educators in partnership with GTCYS’ staff.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Artistic
- Conduct all Philharmonic activities, including weekly rehearsals (2.5 hours long, September through May on Tuesday evenings), 2 half-day retreats, and up to 6 performances a year, including at Orchestra Hall.
- Select Philharmonic repertoire, including at least one piece by an underrepresented composer (composers of color, female, etc.), mark parts, and collaborate with GTCYS’ Music Librarian and Artistic Director on selections.
- Communicate rehearsal goals and assignments to sectional coaches and seating audition judges.
- Plan a special artistic project for the orchestra each year, if desired.
- Prepare student seating charts.
- Serve as an audition judge in December and May/June and assist with the placement process for new and returning auditionees.
- Provide GTCYS staff with a list of equipment needs for rehearsals and performances.
Student Engagement
- Teach, motivate, and communicate with students in a clear, positive, and respectful manner.
- Serve as a positive role model for students and proactively work to create an inclusive, equitable, and respectful environment for students and parents/guardians.
- Create intentional opportunities for students to connect socially throughout the year.
- Write weekly rehearsal follow-up emails to students.
- Address any student discipline concerns with students and parents/guardians, in collaboration with the Program Director.
- Respond to attendance questions and concerns and determine any consequences.
- Uphold student policies and procedures outlined in the Musician’s Handbook.
- Understand and adhere to GTCYS’ Child Protection Policy.
Collaboration
- Communicate and work collaboratively with GTCYS’ administrative staff to plan the orchestra’s schedule of activities (sectionals, concerts, retreats, special projects, social activities, leadership opportunities).
- Oversee Philharmonic’s Rehearsal Assistant in collaboration with the Operations Manager.
- Participate as an engaged member of the Artistic Team, and attend:
- Monthly conducting staff meetings (typically 5:00-6:30pm one Wednesday a month, Sept. - May)
- Annual auditions placement meeting (June)
- Annual artistic and admin staff retreat (summer)
- Other meetings as scheduled
- Communicate and collaborate with Artistic Director on vision, repertoire, and musical goals.
- Embrace GTCYS’ equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives and personal development goals.
- Actively assist with recruitment of new GTCYS members by encouraging students to participate, connecting with teachers, and serving as a guest clinician in schools as schedules permit.
- Maintain and enhance communication with area instrumental music teachers, parents and other members of the community with an eye towards mutual professional development, problem solving, and heightening GTCYS’ profile in the community.
General
- Understand and adhere to GTCYS Policies and Procedures as set forth in the Employee Handbook and/or others by the Executive Director.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
This is a part-time role with an average of 4-8 hours a week during the school year and some summer preparations. The ideal start date is September 2026, though some meetings and preparations will be needed in summer 2026.
TO APPLY
By January 7, 2026, email a cover letter, resume, video links of rehearsal and performance footage (preferably with a youth or collegiate ensemble), and names of three professional references to Executive Director Megen Balda at megen@gtcys.org. The selection process may include screening interviews, Zoom interviews, reference checks, and/or teaching observations. Finalists will be invited to audition in-person with GTCYS students on Tuesday evening, March 10, 2026.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Post-graduate degree preferred in conducting, music education, and/or performance, or comparable professional experience
- 5+ years of successful conducting and/or teaching experience with collegiate or high school students in a large ensemble setting
- Ability to effectively conduct, teach, inspire, and motivate young students ages 14 – 18 in a full orchestra
- Experience coaching all orchestral instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion
- Excellent communication skills
- Nurturing personality and belief in a student-centric approach
- Ability to work flexibly and creatively with fellow conductors, rehearsal assistants, staff, parents, and volunteers
- Availability to attend evening and weekend activities including two orchestra retreats, auditions and concerts, plus monthly conductor meetings and annual retreat.
- Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check
- Ability to work in the United States
- Residence in the Twin Cities strongly preferred
GTCYS is dedicated to building an inclusive, culturally diverse, and equitable environment. We encourage qualified applicants to apply, including applicants of color and others with experience working with communities underrepresented in orchestral music.