Commitment and Compensation
Commitment: The Music Director is expected to make a commitment to Butler County’s local identity in concert with the BCSO fundamental objectives, but is not required to maintain full-time residence in Butler County.
Compensation: The annual salary range is $30k-$35K and is dependent on experience and qualifications.
Expected Start Date: Fall of 2025
Preferred Education:
4 Year Degree
Opportunity
The Butler County Symphony Orchestrainvites applications for the position of Music Director, beginning the 2025-26 concert season. The Music Director serves as the orchestra’s artistic director, principal conductor, and performing arts advocate within Butler County, Pennsylvania.
Desired Qualifications
The following list of qualifications includes examples of characteristics that the search committee hopes to find in a successful candidate. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply whether or not all qualifications listed are met. The ideal candidate will:
Think strategically and curate a creative and holistic vision for both annual and long-term artistic programming.
Hold an advanced degree and/or equivalent experience conducting musical ensembles, groups, and orchestras in broad-ranging musical performances and repertoire.
Demonstrate success expanding audiences’ appreciation for new and unfamiliar works.
Engage with a collaborative spirit and a desire to forge partnerships regionally.
Speak dynamically with an audience in pre-concert and live concert settings.
Possess an established track record of excellent musicianship formed by a deep knowledge of orchestral repertoire, historical performance practices, and rehearsal preparation.
Exhibit strong leadership, organizational, interpersonal, and professional communication skills.
Maintain relationships with world-class professional artists and instrumentalists.
Position Outline and Responsibilities
The Music Director will work collaboratively with the BCSO Executive Director, Board of Directors, administrative staff, and musicians in carrying out the following duties and responsibilities:
Help to shape and execute the BCSO vision and mission
Advance the artistic standard and achievements of the BCSO
Build positive relationships, and cultivate long-term trust with the BCSO Executive Director, Board of Directors, administrative staff, and musicians
Curate each season’s subscription concert series including repertoire selections, guest soloist recommendations, desired instrumentation, and preferred score editions
Lead all rehearsals and performances in the six-concert subscription season, the education outreach concerts, annual summer concert, and provide pre-concert seminars
Develop, motivate, evaluate, and dismiss/recruit musicians, in the manner that best supports the continued artistic advancement of the orchestra
Participate in audience growth by promoting the orchestra and learn about the community in order to effectively program music
Support fundraising initiatives
Engage in community and education outreach activities
Serve as the primary artistic ambassador of the BCSO and actively work to advance the BCSO reputation regionally in both the community and media
Actively work to build positive relationships with Butler County community members, arts organizations, and local educational institutions through mutual support and appropriate collaborations
The Butler County Symphony Orchestra [BCSO] began as a community orchestra and is now a fully professional regional orchestra, composed of first-rate regional musicians. The orchestra presents performances of varied symphonic repertoire and serves as an educational resource to the local schools and the community.
