Job Posting

Assistant Conductor & Community Ambassador

Assistant Conductor & Community Ambassador
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra & Francis Winspear Centre for Music

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) is an ensemble with adventurous programming that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves, and has been an anchor in Edmonton’s music community for over six decades. Our vision is to make music accessible to everyone and minimize barriers for people to access musical arts experiences. The ESO invites applications from qualified individuals for the full-time position of Assistant Conductor & Community Ambassador.

Under the guidance of Chief Conductor Alexander Prior, and with regular feedback from ESO musicians, this is a mentorship position for a promising conductor. This role encompasses not only conducting duties, but also outreach into the community and a regular role at the Youth Orchestra of Northern Alberta (YONA) program, an El Sistema-based program aiming to enact social change through music education.

Responsibilities will include:

  • preparing scores for all ESO programs and stepping in to conduct as necessary
  • attending all rehearsals and assisting all conductors by providing balance reports and feedback as requested
  • assuming responsibility for some rehearsals and assigned concerts
  • conducting YONA ensembles and supporting the artistic development of the YONA program
  • promotion of the ESO and Winspear via media, social media, and public relations opportunities
  • representing the ESO and Winspear in community outreach activities and patron development initiatives
  • programming committee duties

Qualified applicants will have:

  • legal eligibility to work in Canada
  • reached an advanced level of studies in music
  • previous conducting experience
  • experience working with children/youth
  • initiative and passion for sharing music and for providing exceptional musical experiences
  • the ability to run rehearsals and communicate with an audience in English

Compensation: Minimum $48,000 annually, plus $2,500 towards professional development opportunities

Term: 2 years (with possibility of extension), with a 1-year probationary period

To Apply: Complete the form found on this page. Applicants will be required to submit:

  • A CV, detailing experience in conducting, working with children and youth, and in music performance settings
  • A 500-word artist biography
  • Conducting videos for 3 contrasting works
  • A video meant to “sell” a concert on social media
  • A “dream” Masters series concert program
  • An Education concert program, aimed at students in Kindergarten-Grade 3
  • 3 References; 2 for conducting and 1 to speak to abilities with children and youth

Application Deadline: October 20, 2017

Finalists will be notified no later than October 27, 2017.  Finalists must be available to travel to Edmonton for the audition period of November 21 and 22, 2017.

Please address questions to assistantconductor@winspearcentre.com.

Application Deadline: 
Friday, October 20, 2017
Type of Work: 
Full Time
City: 
Edmonton
Province: 
Alberta
Education Level: 
High School
Languages: 
English
Travel: 
No
Prefered Method(s) of Application: 
Apply Online

Employer Details

Edmonton Symphony Orchestra & Francis Winspear Centre for Music

Julia Darby
9720-102 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J4B2
Canada

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is one of Canada’s major orchestras, with 56 full-time musicians and a performance season which runs from September through early June. The ESO’s adventurous programming reflects the diversity of the communities it serves and stimulates joy and inspiration in local, national, and international audiences. The orchestra serves the community of Edmonton and northern Alberta, performing more than 80 concerts each season. The ESO’s home is the Francis Winspear Centre for Music, Alberta’s premier concert hall. With an international reputation in the musical arts industry as an aesthetically delightful and acoustically superior concert hall, the Winspear Centre is recognized as an important artistic centre and magnet for performers from at home and abroad. Over 400 distinct events take place at the Winspear Centre each year, with 250,000 people coming through the facility for everything from black-tie Gala events, family concerts, and rock shows to corporate receptions, weddings, and yoga classes. In addition to hall rentals for third-party events, the Winspear Centre has its own artistic programming through Live at the Winspear.