YOLA at HOLA, Symphony Orchestra Conductor

Los Angeles Philharmonic•Los Angeles, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association is currently seeking a Site Conductor, YOLA. This is a part-time, non-exempt position with a compensation of $50.00/hr, reporting to the Artistic Administrator, YOLA, and part of the Learning department. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, founded in 1919, aims to perform, present, and promote music at the highest level of excellence to a diverse audience. YOLA, a music education program of the LA Phil, provides equitable access to high-quality music education for young people across Los Angeles. The program serves over 1,700 students at five sites. The Beckmen YOLA Center, a purpose-built space for YOLA programming, opened in 2021. The YOLA Site Conductor is responsible for the artistic quality and education of assigned YOLA ensemble(s), leading rehearsals and guiding pedagogy. This role is part of a cross-site artistic leadership team, working collaboratively to foster the musical and social growth of YOLA musicians. The position requires adherence to YOLA's curriculum and pedagogy, and collaboration with site teaching artists and staff. Hours for this position will be up to approximately 10-15 hours per week.

Requirements

Demonstrated music educator and conductor with extensive experience working with youth orchestras at all levels.
Strong understanding of youth orchestra repertoire, beginning instrumental curriculum, teaching artist pedagogy, and youth development practices.
Flexible, creative, and innovative approach to curriculum, programming, and concert design.
Ability to effectively communicate with multiple constituent groups including the surrounding community, partner organizations, teaching artists, students, and parents.
Excellent communication skills, with attention to detail, strong sense of empathy and a proactive nature.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations with excellent judgment and discretion.
Experience as a motivational mentor and support for students, parents, and teaching artists.
Ability to work under frequent observation.
Ability to work with multiple priorities that may need swift reorganization.
Experience working with children from diverse backgrounds; experience working in under-resourced communities.
Complete various tasks within established time frames.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
Strong independent work and proactively identify and assess effective methods of work operation.
Ability to work weekends and evenings.
Dedication and commitment to engage in and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the staff, vendors, and within interactions with the surrounding community is a must.

Nice To Haves

Ability to arrange music and simplify orchestral parts is preferred.
Four-year undergraduate degree with a focus on music performance, music theory, or equivalent experience preferred.
Secondary language fluency is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead youth orchestras in multiple weekly rehearsals from September through May, the July summer session, and as required in preparation for concerts and additional special events.
Focus rehearsals on building musical knowledge and understanding, orchestral and instrumental techniques, and fostering socio-emotional growth.
Reinforce orchestra members’ understanding of concert etiquette and standard performance practices.
Maintain high standards of personal musicianship and for the orchestra membership.
Communicate responsibilities and expectations to students and parents, and be available to converse with them.
Select repertoire appropriate to the performance level, instrumentation, and pedagogy of each orchestra, in collaboration with LA Phil artistic direction and site teaching artists.
Follow the YOLA curriculum and uphold its core tenets around culturally responsive teaching, creative youth development and artistic development.
Develop effective and efficient rehearsal schedules and lesson plans to be shared with collaborating teaching artists and site staff.
Coordinate with YOLA Ensemble Librarians for the purchase, rental, bowing, and marking of performance materials and scores.
Collaborate with Learning and YOLA staff in the formative and formal assessment of musical and social development of YOLA musicians and ensembles.
Collaborate with Learning and YOLA staff on developing and implementing an active recruitment program for the YOLA site.
Create, implement, document, revise and maintain curriculum informed by youth development best practices and YOLA curriculum and pedagogy.
Attend meetings related to events and projects and actively communicate conflicts and prepare for any meetings that cannot be attended.
Attend TA professional development sessions and visit group lessons on a regular basis to maintain pedagogical alignment across site instruction.
Participate in all Professional Development series related to curriculum and any processes around curriculum evaluation and assessment.
Be an active and participatory member of the Learning team and engage with all events for the YOLA site.