Position Announcement
Music Director
The Eugene Symphony Association welcomes nominations and applications for the position of Music Director, available beginning in the 2009-2010 season.
The Position
The music director reports directly to the board and is responsible for the fulfillment of the orchestra’s
artistic potential and its image in the community. S/he is responsible for the repertoire, programming, artistic
production, and has ultimate authority for the selection, development, and replacement of musicians. As the
orchestra’s artistic leader, s/he must build and sustain the orchestra’s visibility and involvement in
the community. The music director is expected to work closely with the executive director, board president and staff
in carrying out these responsibilities and actively participate in the orchestra’s fundraising activities.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will possess exceptional musicianship and conducting skills; significant conducting experience,
including work with professional musicians; knowledge of a broad range of repertoire; strong interpersonal,
leadership, and communication skills; vision, passion, and ability to make symphonic music relevant and exciting
for existing and new audiences. Previous or current music directorship or comparable experience preferred.
The Orchestra
Eugene Symphony resides within the major metropolitan center of the Willamette Valley region, and serves as
Oregon’s primary professional orchestra for the 626,000 residents of Lane, Douglas, Linn, and Benton counties.
Now celebrating its 42nd season, the Eugene Symphony is the cornerstone of the performing arts in the southern
Willamette Valley. What began as a small community orchestra has developed into a fully professional symphony of
85 musicians serving audiences in a four-county area. Today the Eugene Symphony reaches more than 27,000 people
each year; an additional 12,000 children, adults and seniors participate in education and community events
annually. The orchestra’s season includes nine symphonic subscription concerts, two special events, two
holiday pops performances, two family and five children’s concerts.
As a result of a successful five-year audience development initiative, the number of Eugene Symphony subscribers has grown by 39 percent. The Eugene Symphony enjoys an average attendance rate of 91 percent, while serving an additional audience of more than 45,000 listeners each month via KWAX classical radio.
The Eugene Symphony has gained national recognition for its commitment to contemporary American composers. In the past ten years, the ensemble has presented more than 20 world and/or west coast premieres of American works and has commissioned two new works. The Eugene Symphony has hosted some of America’s most distinguished composers including John Adams, John Corigliano, Jennifer Higdon, Michael Daugherty, and Aaron Jay Kernis. Composer Roberto Sierra will visit Eugene in February 2008 for a concert that will include the west coast premiere of his work, Fandangos and Concerto for Saxophones with saxophonist and Downbeat poll winner, James Carter.
The Eugene Symphony is governed by a 36-member Board of Directors and is supported by a professional administrative staff. The Eugene Symphony Guild is comprised of more than 150 volunteer members who support the orchestra through fundraising projects and special events while increasing visibility throughout the community. The Eugene Symphony has operated debt-free with a balanced budget since the 1995-96 season. The current operating budget is $2.2 million and the orchestra has an endowment of $2.8 million. Former music directors include Lawrence Maves, William McGlaughlin, Conductor Laureate Marin Alsop, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, and Giancarlo Guerrero.
Eugene is home to the University of Oregon and is designated as one of America’s most livable communities with miles of bike paths that wind through the city’s streets, gardens, and parks along the banks of the Willamette River.
Compensation
Compensation, including benefits, is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Applications
Application must include: personal letter of interest from the candidate, short resume, sample programs conducted by
the candidate, names and phone numbers of at least three professional references. DVD recordings may be submitted
with application materials. No phone inquiries please. The Eugene Symphony Association is an equal opportunity
employer.
Please submit applications by Friday, February 22, 2008 to:
Eugene Symphony Music Director Search
Eugene Symphony Association
115 West 8th Avenue, Suite 115
Eugene, OR 97401
mdsearch@eugenesymphony.org
(MS Word or text attachments only, please.)
