Conductor, Peabody Youth Orchestra

With approximately 2,500 students passing through its doors every week, the Peabody Preparatory is Baltimore's premier community school for the performing arts. It is open to students of all ages and levels of ability, with offerings ranging from early childhood classes to programs for adults and professional musicians.

As an integral part of the Preparatory, the Peabody Youth Orchestra (~~~/) (PYO) serves as the highest level symphonic orchestral program within the Peabody Preparatory. PYO values the highest artistic standards in all dimensions of the program including repertoire selection, sound of the ensemble, and the highest educational and artistic standards of learning.

The Peabody Youth Orchestra presents two annual concerts and hosts, in collaboration with the Peabody Wind Orchestra and Young Artists Orchestra, the annual Concerto Competition Winners Concert. Additional performance opportunities may be available including off-site concerts, tours, and community engagement.

Reporting to the Sr. Chair for Large Ensembles, the PYO Conductor works with student, family, PYO Parent Advisory Group, faculty, and staff stakeholders across campuses and the community to develop an educationally and artistically challenging and rigorous orchestral training program to advance the educational experience for participating students.

Conductor duties

• Serve as the conductor for the Peabody Youth Orchestra for all auditions, retreats, rehearsals, performances, and potential tours during the academic year.

• Develop and articulate the artistic and educational vision for the ensemble through students' understanding, involvement, and appreciation for symphonic orchestral music.

• Develop and train students' reading, rehearsal, and performance skills in independent part learning, ensemble playing, and performance.

• Expand students' repertoire literacy beyond traditional orchestral repertoire exposing students and audiences to women and BIPOC composers.

Administrative duties

• Coordinate with Peabody Ensemble Librarian on all music related issues including rentals, purchases, and markings, and ensure the timely return of any rented or borrowed scores.

• Determine seating rotations and monitor rosters.

• Coordinate and engage guests, sectional coaches, ringers, and subs as needed in consultation with the Sr. Chair for Large Ensembles.

• When necessary and in consultation with the Sr. Chair for Large Ensembles, secure qualified substitute conductors in advance and thoroughly prepare the substitute prior to the rehearsal.

• Recommend stage set-up for PYO with Peabody Production Office.

• Provide Marketing with program, ensemble, and composer information as needed for concert programs, promotional materials, and Peabody website.

• Plan, coordinate, and execute annual orchestral auditions for PYO in conjunction with Sr. Chair for Large Ensembles, Preparatory Academic Program Administrator, and fellow conductors.

• Develop relationships with Baltimore area private and classroom music teachers for the purpose of recruitment.

• Plan, coordinate, and execute the annual PYO Concerto Competition and performance in conjunction with Sr. Chair for Large Ensembles, Preparatory Academic Program Administrator, and fellow conductors.

• Plan, coordinate, and execute potential national and international tour opportunities in conjunction with the Preparatory Director and Sr. Chair for Large Ensembles.

• Work with PYO Parent Advisory Group.

• Plan, coordinate, and execute annual PYO retreat in conjunction with the PYO Parent Advisory Group.

• Communicate regularly with students, families, PYO Parent Advisory Group, faculty, and staff regarding artistic and rehearsal information.

• Provide input to the annual budget process including staffing requirements, special equipment/instrument or music needs, and programming budgets.

Required

• Youth orchestra conducting experience with a broad knowledge of orchestral repertoire and demonstrated experience with concert programming and pre-college musical development. Collegiate and professional conductors are also welcome to apply.

• Bachelor's Degree in Music or Music Education required, Masters in Orchestral Conducting or equivalent professional experience preferred.

• Ability?to articulate and demonstrate a deep appreciation for, understanding of, and sensitivity to the needs of high performing youth musicians.

• Broad knowledge of repertoire suitable for youth orchestras.

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to support working with students, families, faculty, staff, and guest performers as necessary to perform the job.

• Ability to problem solve and work independently.

• Experience with Office365.

Preferred

• Experience in pre-college or community arts sectors.

• Ability to learn and work with new web-based technologies and tools.

• Familiarity with online collaboration tools.

Candidates must submit the following materials

o Cover letter addressing interest and relevant experience.

o Curriculum vitae or résumé.

o Recent conducting videos - 3-5 video links (ex. Youtube, Dropbox) totaling a maximum of 20 minutes. Performance video is required, rehearsal video is optional.

o Video or recording of a media interview and/or a concert talk is strongly encouraged, but not required.

o Three (3) professional references with contact information.

Successful finalists will be invited to campus in the spring to work with current students and meet with search committee members and representatives of the PYO Parent Resource Organization.

Job Type: Part Time Johns Hopkins University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Consistent with the University's goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will assess the comprehensive qualifications of each applicant.