Community NewsFSO News

Search Opens for FSO Music Director

By August 19, 2015 No Comments

The Flagstaff Symphony Association welcomes nominations and applications for the position of Music Director, available beginning in the 2017–2018 season.

The Position

The Music Director reports directly to the board and is responsible for the fulfillment of the orchestra’s artistic potential and its image in the community. In collaboration with the board and staff, s/he is responsible for the repertoire, programming, and artistic production, and has primary authority for the selection, development, and replacement of musicians, in accordance with the orchestra policy. As the orchestra’s artistic leader, s/he must build and sustain the orchestra’s visibility and involvement in the community. The Music Director is expected to work closely with the Executive Director, board president, board committees, and staff in carrying out these responsibilities and to participate actively in the orchestra’s fundraising activities.

Candidate Profile

Candidates must possess exceptional musicianship and conducting skills; significant professional conducting experience, including work with professional musicians and knowledge of a broad range of repertoire. Ideal candidates will also demonstrate strong interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills; enthusiasm for and experience with music education and community engagement; vision, passion, and ability to make symphonic music relevant and exciting for existing and new audiences. Candidates should be prepared to commit to engaging with the Flagstaff community. Previous or current music directorship or comparable experience preferred.

The Orchestra

The mission of the Flagstaff Symphony Association is to enrich, engage, and inspire our community through the performance of orchestral music.

The Flagstaff Symphony resides within Coconino County and serves as the professional orchestra for northern Arizona. Now celebrating its 66th season, the Flagstaff Symphony is the largest and most active nonprofit performing arts organization in the region. What began in 1950 as a small community ensemble has developed into a regional orchestra of 65 musicians that reaches an audience of more than 14,000 each year. The orchestra’s season includes six symphonic subscription concerts, a holiday production of The Nutcracker, an outdoor summer pops concert, and three concerts for elementary school students offered through partnership with the Link Up program of the Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute. Subscription concerts are performed in the 1,330 seat Ardrey Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Northern Arizona University.

The Flagstaff Symphony is governed by a 21-member board of directors and is supported by a professional administrative staff. The Flagstaff Symphony Guild comprises more than 100 volunteer members who support the orchestra through fundraising projects and special events while increasing visibility throughout the community. The Flagstaff Symphony has operated debt-free with a balanced budget for the past two seasons. The current operating budget is $650,000 and the orchestra has an endowment of $360,000. Former music directors include Harold Weller, Randall Craig Fleischer, and Elizabeth Schulze (who concludes her nine-year tenure in the 2016-2017 season).

Flagstaff and northern Arizona offer an inspirational combination of natural wonders, cultural traditions, and rich artistic life. This four-season community of 65,000 residents is located at an elevation of 7,000 feet on the Colorado Plateau, near the base of the majestic San Francisco Peaks and Mt. Elden, and within the largest contiguous Ponderosa pine forest in North America. Flagstaff is the home of Northern Arizona University, the Museum of Northern Arizona, and Lowell Observatory. Nearby attractions include the Grand Canyon, the red rocks of Sedona, the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest, and Arizona Snowbowl. Flagstaff is also the closest major city in Arizona to the Navajo Nation and Hopi Native American Reservation.

Compensation

Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

Application Procedure

This position will commence with the 2017-2018 season. As part of the search process, FSO plans to invite candidates as guest conductors for the 2016-2017 season.

Applications should be submitted by email to MDsearch@flagstaffsymphony.org no later than September 30, 2015.

The subject header of the email should read “Music Director Search” followed by the candidate’s name in parentheses. Example: Music Director Search (Jane Doe)

The application must include a personal letter of interest and statement of artistic vision, a CV (including a current repertoire list and names and contact information for three references), and links to video recordings (which must include at least one rehearsal). Please do not include materials that are not specifically requested.

The Flagstaff Symphony Association is dedicated to recruiting, hiring, developing, compensating, and promoting the best qualified individuals for positions within the organization. The Association provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants.