Position Title: Artistic Director
Position Type: Part-Time
Reports To: Board of Directors
Compensation: up to $30,000
INTRODUCTION
The American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras (AYPO) are a group of youth orchestras in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, organized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit non-governmental organization incorporated in Virginia. AYPO presently includes three full orchestras (the American Youth Philharmonic, Symphonic, and Concert Orchestras), and four string orchestras (Sinfonietta, String Ensemble, Debut Orchestra, and Prelude Strings), along with several chamber ensembles. During the 2023-2024 season over 600 young musicians participated in AYPO programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Under AYPO’s bylaws, the Artistic Director of American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras is responsible for establishing and overseeing the artistic objectives of the organization, coordinating programs with all conductors to ensure they constitute a coherent set of offerings that meet the stated mission and goals of the organization, and ensuring program quality. The Artistic Director reports to the Board of Directors through the Board’s President and Executive Committee. Conductors are directly responsible to the Artistic Director for all music/artistic matters and are hired based on recommendation of the Artistic Director; all artistic staff ultimately report to the Artistic Director for quality of work and fulfillment of AYPO’s goals and objectives.

Specifically, the Artistic Director

• is responsible for providing a vision for achievement of strategic goals as stated in the AYPO Strategic Plan, for coordinating and approving repertoires of all AYPO orchestras in pursuit of the Strategic Plan’s goals and objectives and to assure an appropriate arc of progressively more demanding works, and for leading the orchestra conductors in a common direction in pursuit of said goals and objectives;
• ensures high musical standards are applied across the board to all orchestras and ensembles, and reports to the Executive Director and Board of Directors any failures or lapses in applying high standards; assesses adherence to standards of excellence and regularly provides formal feedback to the conductors, coaches, and ensemble directors, and at least semiannually to the Executive Director and Board American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras of Directors (this may require attendance of rehearsals and concerts, or listening to recordings of them);
• ensures that the student musicians have an enjoyable, fun experience while pursuing excellence and learning teamwork;
• recommends engagement and dismissal of conductors to the Executive Committee;
• oversees, evaluates, and guides the work of the artistic staff; convenes and chairs regular (typically monthly) meetings of the artistic staff to discuss and decide repertoires, to assess student musician performance, and to provide feedback;
• attends Board meetings as well as monthly meetings of the Executive Committee as a member ex officio of the Executive Committee without vote;
• prepares and submits to the Budget Committee a budget request for musical instrument procurement, repair, storage, and rental; for sheet music; and for such
other artistic expenses as may arise;
• collaborates with and provides expert advice to administrative staff on logistical matters, and to Board committees on educational, fundraising, and other matters;
• advises the Executive Director and Board on all artistic matters;
• in consultation with the conductors and Executive Director, and bearing in mind the goals and objectives of the AYPO Strategic Plan, approves concert repertoires;
• assists in promoting AYPO to the public, including supporting fundraising events;
• meets periodically with the Board President and the Executive Director to share information and ensure that the musical repertoires and programs conform to the goals and objectives of the Board of Directors, in accordance with Article X, Section 1(b) of the AYPO Bylaws. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
• College degree or advanced degree in music, music education, or arts management.
• Demonstrated deep knowledge of classical music repertoires and their appropriateness for different levels of ability, including consideration of age levels.
• Experience in music education.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and track record of collaborative, consensus-based approaches to program development.
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus based on shared goals.
• Passion for music and high respect for musicians.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively with children.

• Demonstrated capacity to accept responsibility for actions and results and to develop long-term relationships throughout an organization and the community it serves.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to unpredictable situations and to deal with ambiguity.
• High level of personal and professional integrity.
• Decisiveness and demonstrated ability to make hard decisions.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary.
• Knowledge of current and emerging concert production, recording technology, trends, and tools.
• Demonstrated maturity and discretion when dealing with sensitive issues.
• Ability to use a personal computer for preparation of documents and communicating by electronic mail and video conferencing software.

WORK SCHEDULE
This is a salaried, part-time position managing operations outside normal office hours(weekends and evenings). Attendance is required at meetings of the Board of Directors (3-4 times per year) and Executive Committee (monthly), and meetings of the artistic staff and administrative staff. Much of the work can be accomplished remotely, and most meetings are conducted by video conference.

HOW TO APPLY
Send a Curriculum Vitae (CV), a minimum of three professional references, and in lieu
of a cover letter please submit an essay describing your vision for the artistic
direction of AYPO and how you will apply your music education background to fulfill
that.
Send all materials to employment@aypo.org by no later than the end of business on
Friday, April 12, 2024. Start date in May 2024.