Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductor Audition
Thank you for your interest in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Assistant Conductor position. Responses to this application will provide reviewers with an overview of your qualifications for consideration and review. Applications will begin immediately and on a rolling basis. Priority will be given to those applications received by January 15, 2024. Finalists must be available to be in Atlanta for 2-3 days during the period February 22-24, 2024. Compensation will be determined based on experience and qualifications.
Contact ASOTalentAcquisition@atlantasymphony.org with questions.
Applications are no longer being accepted.
Position Summary
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is actively searching for a highly talented and musical individual to fill the role of Assistant Conductor. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills on and off the podium. This position offers an exciting opportunity for a conductor to contribute their skills, working with the ASO’s Music Director and guest conductors in rehearsals, in concerts, on tours and in recording sessions to ensure that the ASO performs at the highest possible artistic levels. In this integral role, the Assistant Conductor will act as additional eyes and ears of the conductor each week, playing a pivotal role in the orchestra's artistic expression. Responsibilities include closely observing rehearsals and performances, providing insightful feedback, and effectively communicating artistic improvements and suggestions as directed. The Assistant Conductor will collaborate closely with the conductor to ensure the musical vision for each performance is realized to its fullest potential. The Assistant Conductor’s day-to-day duties are assigned by the ASO’s Vice President of Artistic Planning. The Assistant Conductor serves as the primary artistic support staff to the Music Director and assists them with the musical preparation of the orchestra at all rehearsals and concerts, while also preparing for the potential substitute for ailing or indisposed conductors.
Responsibilities & Requirements
- Extensive Musical Knowledge and Expertise: An Assistant Conductor tasked with assisting the conductor must possess a deep and comprehensive understanding of musical theory, history, and a wide range of musical genres.
- Exceptional Analytical and Communication Skills: The Assistant Conductor should be able to communicate effectively with guest conductors, staff, and musicians, providing clear and actionable insights that facilitate improvement. Strong interpersonal skills are essential for fostering a collaborative and positive environment.
- Keen Ear for Detail and Nuance: The Assistant Conductor should have a discerning ear, able to pinpoint timing, intonation, dynamics, and overall ensemble balance issues to provide precise feedback to conductors.
- Experience in Rehearsal and Conducting: The Assistant Conductor should have a track record of successful collaboration with musicians and specifically have experience in conducting and leading rehearsals. The Assistant Conductor may be asked to step in on short notice or in unexpected circumstances. They should be highly adaptable and flexible, resourceful in handling unforeseen challenges, ensuring a seamless transition, and maintaining artistic integrity.
For more information, please refer to the job description.
View Full Job Description
Application Process
To apply for the ASO Assistant Conductor position, please complete the online application form, which includes uploading the following materials:
- Introductory video of yourself (maximum 2 minutes, begin the video by stating your name)
- Cover letter, which includes web-links to videos of you conducting rehearsals and performances (preference for music of contrasting styles)
- Current résumé/CV
Application Timeline: Applications will be reviewed immediately with priority given to applications received by January 15, 2024, at 11:59pm Eastern Time. There is no application fee for this position. Finalists will be informed by February 10, 2024, and will be provided with the repertoire list for the audition conducting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Audition Date for Selected Applicants: February 22-24, 2024, at Atlanta Symphony Hall, Atlanta, GA. Finalists will receive round-trip transportation and accommodation.
Questions: Please email ASOTalentAcquisition@atlantasymphony.org. Please include "Assistant Conductor Audition" in the subject line of your email. Thank you!
About the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra unites, educates, and enriches our community through the engaging and transformative power of orchestral music experiences. The core of our passion is the rich history of symphonic repertoire spanning centuries. We honor this body of work by holding ourselves to the highest artistic aspirations, bringing it to life in new and exciting ways. While we pay homage to the great masters, we also seek out new voices that speak to our contemporary landscape. As we perform, we engage the diverse international community of our city, bringing people together in harmony – including our youngest citizens, with extensive opportunities for youth and families to fall in love with music.
Under the dynamic leadership of Music Director Nathalie Stutzmann, the ASO celebrates its 79th season with a profound commitment to uniting and enriching the community through the transformative power of classical orchestral music. The orchestra's extensive repertoire is showcased in over 150 concerts annually, featuring flagship series such as the Delta Classical Series, Movies in Concert, Family Concerts, and the Coca-Cola Holiday series. Notable educational programs, including the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra's 50th anniversary and the Talent Development Program's 30th anniversary, underscore the ASO's dedication to fostering musical passion among diverse audiences. Collaborating with the world-renowned ASO Chorus, the orchestra has won 27 Grammy® Awards, emphasizing its exceptional depth and range. Music Director Nathalie Stutzmann, the second woman in history to lead a major American orchestra, guides the ASO through a dynamic 2023-2024 season, featuring programs from Beethoven to Tchaikovsky, a Bruckner festival, and the orchestra's first California tour since 2006. Heralded as, "probably the most important conductor of our time," Stutzmann's impact extends beyond her acclaimed opera pit debuts, resonating with unanimously acclaimed performances at prestigious venues like the Bayreuth Festival and the Metropolitan Opera.