Music Director Search
Music Director Search
Applications are now open for the next Music Director of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO). At the conclusion of their 100th Season, the CSO will enter a Music Director Search year with the purpose of hiring the next Music Director for the 2024-2025 Season. Applications will close on April 7, 2023 at 11:59 PM. To apply for the position, applicants should submit a cover letter and CV to columbusorchestra@gmail.com.
Job Summary:
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is a volunteer-run community orchestra operating in Columbus, IN. The CSO meets for rehearsals once per week on Tuesdays from 7-9 PM at Central Middle School in Columbus, Indiana and performs five (5) concerts each season, which runs from August until June. The Music Director will provide the overall artistic leadership for the orchestra and work collaboratively with the Board of Directors to plan for the growth and stability of the CSO. The Music Director works for the Board of Directors and will report to the Board.
Responsibilities:
Training of the Orchestra:
The concept of a community, primarily volunteer, symphony orchestra shall be maintained. The goal to be achieved is a complete, competent, volunteer symphony orchestra not requiring paid professional reinforcement. Deployment of CSO players shall be the responsibility of the Director.
Rehearsing and Concert Performances of the CSO:
Number, type, dates and locations of rehearsals required shall be as determined by the Music Director to meet the requirements of the concert dates established by the CSO Board of Directors. The Music Director will be responsible for reserving the concert hall and rehearsal spaces alongside the Board of Directors. The Music Director will manage the oversight of rehearsal attendance records including contact information for all musicians and can appoint a responsible party within the orchestra to ensure the task is completed. The Music Director is responsible for communication with musicians about all rehearsals and concert dates including expectations for conduct.
Concert Music Selection:
Prior to the start of the season, the Music Director shall select the music for each concert and consult with the CSO Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will provide the Music Director the budgeted amount for music costs and the Music Director shall share an estimate of music costs before each season. It is to be understood that the music selected shall be within the capability of CSO to play in a musically acceptable manner on the concert date and that music housed within the CSO’s music library and the public domain will be utilized with priority. The concert music proposed shall be diverse in nature, maintaining the orchestra’s commitment to championing music by living composers, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) composers, and women composers.
Score Acquisition:
The Music Director may obtain the musical scores on his/her own or request the assistance of the Music Librarian. In either case, the Director shall communicate with the Music Librarian in adequate time to allow them to obtain music, make rehearsal copies, and make other preparations as necessary prior to the first rehearsal.
Recruiting of Orchestra Players:
The Music Director shall determine the orchestra personnel needs by instrument type and number, giving such information for the season to the Board of Directors at least two months before the season begins. The Music Director is responsible for sharing ideas for recruitment with the Board of Directors and assisting the Board in recruiting volunteer musicians. This will include replying to new musician email inquiries from the CSO email inbox. Should paid personnel be necessary, said personnel will be recruited under supervision of the Music Director.
Guest Artists:
With prior Board approval, the Director shall arrange all administrative matters involving CSO Guest Artists at least six (6) weeks ahead of the first performance. Such matters include, but are not limited to, obtaining contact information, negotiating fees, requesting publicity information and photographs, developing concert program information, and communicating travel/housing information and arrangements.
Structural Duties:
The Music Director shall
- Give timely notice of rehearsal dates, times, locations, plus any changes to notify orchestra members.
- Provide required concert program notes in final form to the Board of Directors at least four (4) weeks prior to each concert.
- Provide an initial personnel list of hired musicians to the Board of Directors one week prior to the concert and the final list at least 4 days prior to the concert. If last minute changes are made, those should be effectively communicated with the Board of Directors.
Promotion/ Fundraising:
The Music Director shall offer suggestions, directions and/or recommendations to the board of directors for fundraising and promotional activities, and be available for appearances for radio, television, chamber of commerce events, and/or meetings with key donors. Anticipate up to 4 – 5 appearances, per season, per CSO Board of Directors recommendations. The Music Director will write copy for concert blurbs to be used in promotional materials created by the Board of Directors such as brochures, programs, press releases and the website.
Board of Directors Participation:
The Music Director will be expected to attend Board Meetings as necessary to discuss new ideas for programming or other artistic concerns. The Music Director will assist the Board to further develop ideas related to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA).
The Music Director shall perform other reasonable duties as the Board of Directors may determine to lie within the normal scope of activities associated with the position of Music Director. This may include shifting of priorities during a global pandemic to move operations online, if necessary.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in music required. The ideal candidate will have excellent knowledge of music techniques, theory, and performance. Great organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills. Strong leadership, time management, and multitasking abilities. Ability to give clear instructions and make decisions under pressure.
Due to the close connection between this position and the community of Columbus, IN, candidates must live within 120 miles of Columbus, or plan to live within this radius if accepted for this role.
Salary:
The CSO has budgeted $12,500 for this position.
About the CSO:
Founded in 1922 by Chester Kitzinger, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is the oldest continually operating symphony orchestra in the state of Indiana. After graduating from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 1917, Kitzinger returned to his hometown and established himself as a violin teacher in Columbus. He put together a Sunday school orchestra at the Tabernacle Christian Church, which eventually became the CSO. Many of the violinists were his students, while members of the City Band provided the wind and percussion instruments. The premiere performance of the CSO was May 17, 1923 at the Crump Theater.
The full orchestra was reorganized as Columbus Pro Musica in 1970, while the Columbus Symphony Orchestra retained its identity and continued as a volunteer orchestra. Shortly after the reorganization, Kitzinger was named Conductor Emeritus and Dale Spurlock became Music Director. Arkady Orlovsky became Music Director during the 1992-1993 Season. In 1997, celebrating its 75th Season, the CSO returned to the Crump Theater where its inaugural concert was held. After eighteen years as Music Director, Orlovsky retired.
In 2010, Roger Kalia was named the CSO's fourth Music Director, serving through the 2013-2014 Season. During his tenure, Kalia partnered with the CSO to produce national and local premieres of orchestral works and collaborations with noteworthy local artists such as Andrew Lunsford, Mary-Claire King, and Emma Peters. The CSO's close relationship to the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music provided the orchestra with an extremely capable conductor, musician, and valued partner in Hao-An Cheng.
In 2015, the CSO appointed Josh Aerie as Music Director. Josh served through the end of the 2022-2023 Season. During his tenure, Aerie partnered with the CSO to develop two competitions: the Laura Showalter Youth Concerto Competition and the Composition Competition.
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra is an Equal Opportunity Employer, is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive company culture, and does not discriminate against candidates and employees based on disability, sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under the law.
