Category: About

Kirkland Civic Orchestra (KCO) is excited to hire a new Music Director for the 2026-27 season and beyond. KCO is a non-profit, volunteer classical symphony orchestra based in Kirkland, Washington dedicated to enriching the lives of all members of our community through unique and high-quality musical experiences that develop the musical abilities, interests and music appreciation for both players and audiences.

KCO’s season consists of four free concerts: three regular season concerts typically performed in October, March, and May, and one summer pops outdoor concert near Independence Day.

Having just celebrated its 10-year anniversary, KCO has established itself as a welcoming community orchestra in the Seattle eastside, where musicians come together to experience the joy of making music together and challenging themselves to grow.

Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be experienced and passionate about conducting a community orchestra; possess excellent conducting and rehearsal techniques, be able to communicate and achieve desired interpretation, be well-informed in theory and analysis, and repertoire; have sufficient knowledge of orchestral instruments, especially strings; and have an instinct for developing imaginative and appealing programming.

In addition, we seek a candidate with a great sense of humor, who cultivates a welcoming, enjoyable and educational environment at rehearsals; strikes a balance between challenging and encouraging amateur musicians; can communicate and relate warmly and easily with orchestra members and section leaders; engages enthusiastically with patrons and audiences; and welcomes, values, and nurtures people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.

Candidates must be available in Kirkland, Washington to lead weekly rehearsals and performances and by video call for Board meetings. The music director reports to the Board of Directors and should demonstrate leadership and an understanding of the inner workings of the orchestra.

The Position

Music
KCO rehearses weekly on Monday evenings during the orchestra season (September through June). Each regular season concert cycle averages nine rehearsals and a performance. Rehearsal order is provided to players 24-48 hours in advance. Rehearsals and concerts are typically held at Kirkland area high school facilities.

The music director will select repertoire appropriate for the orchestra and its audiences; select soloists for the season; coordinate with the concertmaster and section leaders to prepare bowings and parts; coordinate with orchestra members for subs and additional musicians; coordinate stage logistics and with performance location stage manager; and make arrangements for renting instruments and additional instrumentalists as needed.

Administration
The music director will also work closely with the Board and staff on policy, budget, and scheduling, and is expected to attend all Board meetings. The music director will also act as a musical advisor to various committees, provide season repertoire, soloist, and rehearsal information to the Board and membership, provide program information. They must work within a budget for soloist and other performer fees and music purchases. They will also be expected to participate in fundraising and promotional endeavors of the orchestra and be willing to become involved in the function of the orchestra’s outreach and community activities.

How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and answers to the candidate questionnaire to:
conductorsearch@kirklandorchestra.org by December 15, 2024.

Your cover letter should help us understand how your professional and personal experience have prepared you to lead our organization, including your commitment to community music groups. Candidates who reach later stages in the interview process will be asked to submit links to video footage or other additional materials. We anticipate inviting finalists for the position to conduct a concert during our 2025-26 season.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, and we particularly encourage applicants from groups under-represented in classical music to apply.

Compensation: The position pays $12,000 per year for (rehearsals and other preparations, and performances). The work relationship is contractual and at-will; typical contract renewal is biennial, for two fiscal years, and subject to annual performance review.

Applicant Questionnaire:
All applicants should submit answers to the following questions with their resume and cover letter. Most of the questions are open-ended and designed to give applicants an opportunity to consider various aspects of the positions of Music Director and to give us insight to applicant approaches to those areas. Please limit yourself to 1-2 pages for the whole questionnaire. We may ask you to elaborate on some of these questions if invited to interview.

– Please tell us what draws you to KCO and about your relationship with the Seattle Metro/Pacific Northwest area classical music community, if applicable.
– Please write a brief vision for a 3–5-year artistic plan.
– Please provide a proposed full season (three concerts: Fall, Winter, Spring) for the orchestra. Include any other types of artistic activities you might like to lead the orchestra in undertaking, and any guest artists that you would like to invite to collaborate with the orchestra.

We anticipate inviting finalists for the position to each conduct a concert during the KCO 2025-26 season. Please let us know of any potential periods of time that you anticipate not being available between September 2025-June 2026 or any annual commitments (e.g., conducting in a festival, vacations etc.).

Requirements

– Experience conducting an adult community orchestra.
– Proficient in English.
– Experience with working with a volunteer non-profit Board of Directors.
– Legally able to work for any employer within the United States.

Kirkland Civic is committed to being a safe, inclusive place for people of all backgrounds and walks of life and does not engage in unlawful discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information or actual or potential parental, family, marital status or veteran status.

Peruse our website and see our social media accounts for more information about our organization. Please direct any inquiries to the above hiring email address.

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