CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The Syracuse Orchestra is always looking for talented individuals who can help expand our mission to influence and educate the Syracuse community through the power of music. View the information below to learn about our available positions and how to apply. Thank you for your interest in The Syracuse Orchestra!
ARTISTIC JOB OPENINGS
Position Announcement: Music Director
Reports to: The Syracuse Orchestra Executive Director
Status: Full-time
Salary Range: An annualized compensation package starting at $90,000, including full health benefits.
Location: Syracuse, NY. Full-time residency in the Central New York area is strongly preferred.
The Syracuse Orchestra welcomes applications for the position of music director. The public search will take place during the 2025-26 concert season, and the successful candidate will begin in the 2026-2027 season. The successful candidate will be responsible for repertoire, programming, and artistic excellence, as well as the selection, development, and succession of musicians.
As the orchestra’s artistic leader, they must build and sustain the orchestra’s visibility and involvement in the community. By working collaboratively with musician/board committees, as well as the executive director, board president, and staff, the music director should embrace The Syracuse Orchestra’s innovative, cooperative model of arts management, and help to shape that model for the future. Additionally, the music director is expected to actively participate in the orchestra’s fundraising and marketing activities.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate must possess exceptional musicianship and conducting skills: requisite conducting experience, including working with professional musicians; knowledge of a broad range of repertoire; leadership through strong interpersonal and communication skills; vision, passion, and drive to make symphonic music relevant and captivating for every audience. Current music directorship or comparable experience preferred.
The Orchestra
As Central New York’s professional orchestra, The Syracuse Orchestra presents 50+ orchestra concerts each year through its series of Masterworks, Pops, Casual, Spark, Kids, and free summer concerts during a 37-week season. As one of only 2 cooperative orchestras in the United States, our musicians play an active and crucial role in its strategic direction and governance. Governance is shared by the orchestra. Orchestra members annually approve the slate of board members. Musicians comprise up to 49% of the board of director membership as full-voting members of the board. The Syracuse Orchestra’s annual operating budget is $3.9 million. The music director is the artistic leader of the organization, and is expected to work collaboratively with the board, orchestra, and staff to develop and implement an artistic vision that is inspiring and resonant to the CNY community.
The Syracuse Orchestra’s mission is to engage and inspire all community members throughout Central New York with outstanding orchestral and ensemble performances, and innovative education and outreach initiatives. Our vision is to contribute to a diverse, vibrant, and culturally rich community through the power of great music, and in so doing, enhance the quality of life and economic vitality of Central New York. We value innovation, excellence, and collaboration.
About the community: Syracuse and Onondaga County are in the heart of Central New York with a population of more than 450,000. Syracuse is a 4-hour drive north of NYC, 2 hours east of Buffalo, and 2 hours west of Albany. It is the hub of a six-county region with a population of more than 1 million. Central New York is poised to grow rapidly over the next two decades with the new investment of a $100 billion Micron semiconductor manufacturing plant.
Applications
Application must include the following:
- Personal letter of interest from the candidate
- Short resume (no more than 2 pages)
- Three to five sample programs conducted by the candidate
- Names, email addresses, and phone numbers of at least three professional references.
- Links to video recordings demonstrating competency conducting professional-level orchestras, with at least 3 different music styles/time periods demonstrated (maximum of 20 minutes total for video samples)
Please submit complete applications by September 1, 2024 at 5:00 pm EST to mdsearch@syracuseorchestra.org.
The Syracuse Orchestra Symphony is an equal opportunity employer. To learn more about The Syracuse Orchestra, go to syracuseorchestra.org.
AUDITIONS
All winning candidates are required to show proof of US citizenship or eligibility to work in the United States.
Should any position be offered to a current Syracuse Orchestra musician, the resulting vacancy may be offered at these auditions.
The audition committee reserves the right to immediately dismiss any candidate not meeting the highest professional standards.
Please note: all audition repertoire is subject to change
The Syracuse Orchestra is proud to be a partner orchestra of the National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS), an unprecedented national initiative to increase diversity in American orchestras. It will do so by offering Black and Latinx musicians a customized combination of mentoring, audition preparation, financial support, and audition previews. Learn more at http://www.auditionalliance.org.
SUBSTITUTE AND EXTRA MUSICIANS
Auditions for Substitute and Extra Musicians are held periodically. To be considered please send a one page résumé to Arvilla Wendland at
AWendland@SyracuseOrchestra.org.
*Acceptance to The Syracuse Orchestra’s Substitute and Extra List does not guarantee employment.
STAFF OPENINGS
Job Title: Stagehand for The Syracuse Orchestra
Reports to: Stage Manager
Job Description
Responsible for assisting with the physical operation of the orchestra that includes staging, set-up and strike, and storage and maintenance of equipment. Responsible for assisting with the preparation and appearance of the stage for rehearsals and performances; assisting in the production of orchestra services as determined by the Orchestra Manager and/or Stage Manager by performing the following duties.
Duties
- Assist with the set-up of the orchestra: chairs, music stands, percussion, large instruments, and other equipment as assigned. This may include assisting with set changes for concerts. It also includes providing the best possible working conditions for musicians on and off stage and assisting our staff in anticipating logistical problems.
- Assist with implementation of stage logistics in all venues, to ensure the rehearsal/performance space meets all criteria outlined in the CBA contract
- Load and unload the truck at the rehearsal/concert venue in a safe, efficient manner.
- Assist the stage manager with addressing musician working condition concerns as they pertain to the CBA, such as temperature, lighting or safety. Help implement proactive strategies to minimize musician concerns.
- Assist with maintaining inventory of all our equipment, making periodic checks on conditions and performing minor repairs or arranging necessary repairs if needed as assigned.
- Other duties as required by the Orchestra Manager, Stage manager, and other Syracuse Orchestra staff as needed.
- Conduct oneself with professional decorum at all times, to include language and physical appearance.
Qualifications
- Minimum 1 year of orchestra or theater stage experience preferred
- Working knowledge of orchestral instruments, percussion instruments, and orchestral seating conventions helpful
- Ability to lift, carry and move up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to work efficiently as a team member in a deadline-oriented environment
- Ability to work evenings and weekends
Working Conditions
Hours – The Syracuse Orchestra presents a series of concerts throughout the season, with each set consisting of performances at a variety of venues. The schedule is flexible, and stagehands can pick the shifts that fit their schedule. Rehearsals are usually held at any time during the day and are typically 6-8 hours. Out of town concerts times lengthen the call times and vary depending on the location of the event. This position is part time on an AS NEEDED BASIS with advance notice.
Physical Demands – The stagehand will have to lift supplies, instruments and equipment. This person may also need to stand for long periods of time while preparing and running concert events.
Pay Rate is $18.00/hr with a minimum 2 hr call
How to Apply:
Please email a letter of interest, three references, and a resume to:
Ergo Blydenburgh
Orchestra Manager ebly@SyracuseOrchestra.org
Or send a hard copy to:
The Syracuse Orchestra
Attn: Ergo Blydenburgh
450 S. Salina St., Suite 100
Syracuse, NY 13202
INTERNSHIP OPENINGS
Join The Syracuse Orchestra team and experience the excitement of a growing arts nonprofit! Located in downtown Syracuse, The Syracuse Orchestra is Central New York’s professional symphony orchestra and features a core of 50 experienced musicians who are committed to Central New York. Founded in December 2012, The Syracuse Orchestra operates as one of only two cooperatively structured orchestras in the U.S. – with musicians at the heart of the organization. The Syracuse Orchestra currently reaches more than 100,000 Central New York community members of all ages through more than 50 concerts each year in venues large and small, including a summer season of up to 10 free outdoor performances in parks throughout the region.
Our mission is to engage and inspire community members throughout CNY through outstanding orchestral and ensemble performances, and innovative education and outreach initiatives.
MARKETING, including managing social media, post-concert surveys and analysis, website updates and content enhancement, materials distribution, and targeted audience development;
DEVELOPMENT, including donor and sponsor benefit fulfillment and tracking, event coordination and support, on-line foundation and corporate research, and database support;
CONCERT PRODUCTION, including assisting with concert set-up and strike, hospitality for guest artists and conductors, and a variety of pre- and post-concert responsibilities;
EDUCATION & OUTREACH, including communicating with area educators, assisting with the development and distribution of program materials, research and development of program assessment tools, and on-site support for Syracuse Orchestra outreach initiatives.
MUSIC LIBRARY, including preparing music for distribution, expanding our music library database, ordering, copying, and bowing parts, and assisting Syracuse Orchestra’s music librarian as needed.
The successful candidate(s) will demonstrate a commitment to excellence, and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team. Interns must demonstrate excellent organization skills, computer literacy in all standard programs (graphics expertise a plus), attention to detail, and well developed communication and interpersonal skills. Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. The Syracuse Orchestra offers a flexible schedule, with a minimum commitment of at least 10 hrs/wk.
TO APPLY
Interested candidates please email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references to: Pamela Murchison, Executive Director, at PMurchison@SyracuseOrchestra.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
If you are interested in volunteering as an usher for our Spark, Casual or Kids concerts, please contact us at Info@SyracuseOrchestra.
CURRENT EMPLOYEES
Resources for current employees can be found HERE