About Camerata
GTCYS is expanding its school-year orchestras with the addition of a second Camerata orchestra in fall 2024. The new orchestra will be the same musical level as GTCYS’ existing Camerata, which is our third full orchestra level with strings, winds, brass, and percussion. The new orchestra is the result of continued enrollment growth and will help expand opportunities for more intermediate musicians. In Camerata, students continue to advance their rehearsal, listening, and ensemble skills, while developing more nuanced musical abilities and artistry. Camerata performs original works of varied genres for youth orchestra and advanced arrangements of symphonic repertoire, generally at difficulty levels III – IV. Camerata string players have an average of 5 -7 years’ experience, and woodwinds, brass, percussion have 3-7 years. Students are typically in grades 7-10, with some younger and older.
About the Role
The Camerata conductor is responsible for leading the orchestra to develop students’ orchestral skills, while instilling lifelong values of teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. The conductor will be a role model for students and a member of GTCYS’ esteemed Artistic Team comprised of 9 conductors who lead GTCYS’ 10 (soon to be 11) orchestras. GTCYS is dedicated to breaking down barriers, connecting with underrepresented students in meaningful ways, and including diverse perspectives in our programming.
The ideal candidate would be an active member of the instrumental music education and/or performing community with 5+ years of direct experience working with middle or high school ensembles and with students from varied backgrounds to foster a diverse and inclusive learning environment. She/he/they would bring to GTCYS an authentic passion for orchestral music education, the skill and energy to inspire young students to a high artistic level, a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the ability to creatively contribute to GTCYS’ artistic vision, and a desire to commit to the position for at least 3 years.
Artistic
- Conduct all Camerata activities, including weekly rehearsals (1.75 hours long, September through May on Thursday or Monday evenings), 2 half-day retreats, and up to 6 performances a year, including at Orchestra Hall.
- Select Camerata repertoire, including at least one piece by an underrepresented composer (composers of color, female, etc.), mark parts, and collaborate with GTCYS’ Music Librarian.
- Communicate rehearsal goals and assignments to sectional coaches.
- Plan a special artistic project for the orchestra each year, if desired.
- Prepare student seating charts.
- Serve as an audition judge in December and May/June and assist with the placement process for new and returning auditionees.
- Provide GTCYS staff with a list of equipment needs for rehearsals and performances.
Student Engagement
- Teach, motivate, and communicate with students in a clear, positive, and respectful manner.
- Serve as a positive role model for students and proactively work to create an inclusive, equitable, and respectful environment for students and parents/guardians.
- Create intentional opportunities for students to connect socially throughout the year.
- Write weekly rehearsal follow-up emails to students.
- Address any student discipline concerns with students and parents/guardians, in collaboration with the Program Director.
- Respond to attendance questions and concerns.
- Uphold student policies and procedures outlined in the Musician’s Handbook.
- Understand and adhere to GTCYS’ Child Protection Policy.
Collaboration
- Communicate and work collaboratively with GTCYS’ administrative staff to plan the orchestra’s schedule of activities (sectionals, concerts, retreats, special projects, social activities, leadership opportunities).
- Oversee Camerata’s Rehearsal Assistant in collaboration with the Operations Manager.
- Participate as a supportive and engaged member of the Artistic Team, and attend:
- Monthly conducting staff meetings (typically the 1st or 2nd Wednesday, Sept. – May)
- Annual placement meeting (June 7, 2024)
- Annual artistic and admin staff retreat (summer 2024 date tbd)
- Other meetings as scheduled
- Embrace GTCYS’ equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives and personal development goals.
- Actively assist with recruitment of new GTCYS members by encouraging students to participate, connecting with teachers, and serving as a guest clinician in schools as schedules permit.
- Maintain and enhance communication with area instrumental music teachers, parents and other members of the community with an eye towards mutual professional development, problem solving, and heightening GTCYS’ profile in the community.
General
- Understand and adhere to GTCYS Policies and Procedures as set forth in the Employee Handbook and/or others by the Executive Director.
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- 5+ years of teaching and/or conducting experience with middle or high school students in an educational and large ensemble setting.
- Bachelor’s degree in music education, conducting, and/or performance, or comparable experience.
- Ability to effectively conduct, teach, inspire, and motivate young students ages 12 – 16 in a full orchestra.
- Experience teaching all orchestral instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Nurturing personality and belief in a student-centric approach.
- Ability to work flexibly and creatively with fellow conductors, rehearsal assistants, staff, parents, and volunteers.
- Availability to prioritize Camerata’s schedule of activities, plus auditions, monthly conductor meetings, and annual retreat.
- Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check.
GTCYS is dedicated to building an inclusive, culturally diverse, and equitable environment. We encourage qualified applicants to apply, including applicants of color and others with experience working with communities underrepresented in orchestral music.
To Apply
By March 12, 2024, email a single pdf with a cover letter, resume, and names of three professional references to executive director Megen Balda at megen@gtcys.org. The selection process may include screening calls, Zoom and in-person interviews, and teaching observations. Finalists will participate in an in-person audition with Camerata orchestra on Tuesday, April 30 between 7:00 – 8:45pm.
About GTCYS
Now in our 52nd season, the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS, pronounced git-seez) opens doors to music and provides a pathway for students of all ages, backgrounds, and musical levels. Committed to both excellence and access, our educational programs break down barriers, inspiring students to excel musically and build lifelong skills which serve them in school and beyond.
As one of the region’s premier youth arts programs, GTCYS serves more than 1,300 students ages 7-18 through our Harmony strings instruction program, Launch Lessons, Pathway Musicians program, 10 (soon to be 11) school-year orchestras, and summer camps. Rather than turning students away, GTCYS continually expands its programming to meet growing interest and community needs. GTCYS’ equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives ramped up in 2016, have created strong results, and remain a top priority. To increase access and address socio-economic barriers, GTCYS provides more than $230,000 in need-based scholarships for tuition and private lessons.
GTCYS students learn the importance of community engagement and understand that music is most powerful and life-changing when it is shared. Students share their talents and bring live music to diverse audiences at 25 free orchestra concerts at Twin Cities schools, senior centers, and community locations, and ticketed concerts at Orchestra Hall and Ted Mann Concert Hall. Many are livestreamed for free viewing. In total, GTCYS engages more than 17,000 children and adults each year through our educational activities and concerts, plus 26,000 digital audience members. Visit gtcys.org to learn more.
