What are the responsibilities and job description for the Orchestra Director position at Portland Choir & Orchestra?
Orchestra Director
Portland Choir & Orchestra seeks an Orchestra Director to lead its 50-piece orchestra. The ideal candidate should be an experienced, energetic, and disciplined conductor, able to effectively challenge and inspire a combination of professional and skilled amateur musicians. Primary responsibilities include:
- Plan and lead all orchestra rehearsals
- Collaborate with Artistic Director in concert programming
- Conduct orchestral works in concert
- Attend 4-6 Board Meetings or Administrative Council meetings per season (mix of online/in-person)
- Oversee recruitment of needed orchestral musicians
- Assist in annual evaluation of orchestra library and instrument equipment to determine replacement and addition needs
- Provide annual input for future financial needs of the Orchestra to enable accurate and timely grant funding requests.
Performance season runs September through June, with an average of 2 concert programs per season (usually in December & May). For each of these concert programs the Orchestra typically holds one string-only rehearsal, one all-orchestra rehearsal, and combines for an all-performers final rehearsal, followed by 2 performances of the concert program (all in the Portland, Oregon metro area). Repertoire consists of many combined choir/orchestra works, with 1-3 purely orchestral selections (depending on composition length) in each program.
A modest stipend is available for this position and will be discussed upon reviewing a candidate’s experience and qualifications.
Please visit https://www.musicinportland.org/about/jobs to submit your PDF resume asa well as URL links to relevant rehearsal and performance video recordings. If you do not have recordings readily available online, please still submit your application and mention this in the additional comments section. Applications will be accepted through 5 April 2025. Those selected for the final stage of the search will be invited to audition in a rehearsal with the Orchestra the week of 21 April 2025.
About Portland Choir & Orchestra:
Since its founding concert in 2005, Portland Choir & Orchestra has performed favorite American folk tunes and hymns, stirring patriotic anthems, delightful Christmas music and extended classical choral/orchestral works by composers of all periods. The choir and orchestra have performed with northwest organizations such as the Newport Symphony Orchestra, the Big Horn Brass, and with a variety of guest artists including Jenny Oaks Baker, Dallyn Vail Bayles, Bill Schonely, and Edmund Stone. Concert attendance ranges from 2,000-3,000 audience members each season.
Comprised of approximately 100 singers and 50 instrumentalists, members of the choir and orchestra are selected by audition with some traveling as far as 75 miles each way to participate in rehearsals and performances. Samples of past performances by Portland Choir & Orchestra can be found on our YouTube Channel.
Portland Choir & Orchestra is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.
Job Type: Contract
Pay: $5,000.00 - $10,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Salary : $5,000 - $10,000