Description

The Music Director reports directly to the orchestra’s Board of Directors and is responsible for the artistic direction of the orchestra. This includes, but is not limited to, the selection of appropriately challenging programs for concerts and successful direction of the orchestra in weekly rehearsals and concerts. The Music Director is also expected to provide significant leadership for the orchestra in fundraising, promotion, and recruiting efforts. The primary goals of the orchestra include providing an opportunity for its members to develop musically and providing a source of cultural enrichment for Somerset County and beyond; the position of the Music Director is key for the orchestra to achieve those goals.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate for the position will possess the following qualities:

·        Significant conducting experience (experience with community orchestras or other educational institutions is preferred)

·        An interest in a long-term commitment to improving and maintaining the quality of the orchestra

·        Experience dealing with personnel issues in a community orchestra setting (including recruiting)

·        Organizational skills including demonstrated experience with promoting orchestral performance within the community, a demonstrated ability to manage rehearsals efficiently, ability to lead fundraising initiatives for community-based groups, ability to work closely with a volunteer working Board, and enthusiasm for volunteer-based community arts programs

Responsibilities

·        Ex-officio member of the Board, attending meetings and reporting on the symphony.

·        Serves as the public face of the orchestra to the community and works with Board to promote the orchestra, including publicity and advertising.

·        Selects repertoire for each season and engages solo artists when needed, working within the budget set by the Board.

·        Conducts all SSO regular Tuesday night rehearsals (7:30 – 10:00 pm), dress rehearsals, and at least three performances per season.

·        Works with the concertmaster and librarian to prepare string parts.

·        Helps to hire personnel and equipment as needed for performances.

·        Fosters a positive atmosphere in rehearsals and among the musicians.

·        Per-concert salary will be negotiated commensurate with experience. 

The Orchestra

The Somerset Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1970 as the Somerset County College Community Orchestra. The mission of the Somerset Symphony Orchestra is to enrich the community by inspiring a love of classical music through exciting performances, innovative programming, and educational outreach. The orchestra presents a rich repertoire of orchestral music, including contemporary music, works by composers that have been historically under-represented, and cherished works of lasting artistic value. We accomplish our mission in two main ways: first, through the continuing enrichment of our core volunteer orchestra members, to provide an educational and performance outlet for them. Through this continuing education process, we are able to present concerts of a high artistic caliber to the public. This allows us to provide the community at large with artistic and educational performances, and encourage our audiences to hear the music in a new light, to truly connect with music on a deep level. Rehearsals are held weekly on Tuesday nights in Branchburg, NJ, with a standard of 7-8 rehearsals prior to each concert. The concert schedule consists of three or four concerts per season.

How to Apply

Please submit:

● Resume/CV

● Cover letter

● Links to 3 representative video samples, no more than 15 minutes each, of your conducting a performance and/or rehearsal. Camera view must be from the orchestra’s perspective. For performance video, whole pieces or movements are preferred.

● Three professional references and contact information.

Priority application deadline is August 20, 2026. Please submit application materials to: mdsearch@somersetsymphony.org with [Name] Music Director Application in the subject line.