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Olympia Symphony Orchestra Music Director Position Announcement

The Olympia Symphony Orchestra seeks a dynamic and experienced Music Director to build on our reputation of musical excellence and community impact in the South Puget Sound region. The OSO Board of Directors and Search Committee invites qualified candidates to apply; the position will begin with the 2021–2022 concert season.

About the Olympia Symphony Orchestra

The OSO is a semi-professional orchestra based in Olympia, Washington, that serves the South Puget Sound region. Our mission is to provide the highest quality live music to enrich, educate, and entertain an expanding audience.

The orchestra gave its first concert in 1947. Over time, the OSO has grown to become the premiere orchestra in the South Sound, acclaimed for its commitment to both community and artistic excellence. Six conductors have led the OSO to date, including outgoing Music Director Huw Edwards, who has held the position since 2003.

Our typical season includes five (5) regular season concerts at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, one outdoor summer concert, and one holiday concert. The OSO is currently using a weekly rehearsal model (four Wednesdays, one Saturday, and one Sunday rehearsal followed by a Sunday concert). Musicians were recently surveyed about their perspectives and ability to accommodate other rehearsal models; although no changes are currently planned, analysis and discussion of survey results is pending and further exploration of options is possible. The current operating budget is $435,000. Personnel include 65 contracted musicians, a full-time Executive Director, and part-time administrative and orchestral support staff. The OSO is supported by an 11-person board.

Education is a core element of our mission. We are proud of our collaborations with Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO) and hope to expand our educational programs and outreach in the coming years. We have long-standing relationships with other arts organizations such as Ballet Northwest, Olympia Youth Chorus, and Olympia Choral Society.

Our search for a new Music Director is being led by a Search Committee that includes six musicians from the symphony, four board members, and four community members — all of whom are committed to representing the diverse constituencies within the orchestra and the South Sound region.

Position summary

We seek a Music Director who will embrace the opportunities and challenges of an evolving orchestra and who is committed to a learning and growth mindset; someone who will continue to challenge players to achieve performance excellence, build a close relationship with an audience who expects and appreciates high-caliber live classical music, and work to attract new patrons in a changing entertainment landscape.

https://www.olympiasymphony.org/mdsearch

Opportunity Website

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