Staff Conductor

Staff Conductor

About the Position

The Staff Conductor is an integral member of the artistic leadership team and conducting staff of the Nashville Symphony. In collaboration with key staff, they are responsible for creatively planning and executing the Nashville Symphony's Education and Community Concerts. These highly visible programs 

are essential to the Nashville Symphony's mission and serve 70,000 people annually. The Staff Conductor also provides vital support for the Nashville Symphony's Music Advisor, guest conductors, and musicians as cover conductor for all the orchestra's activities, as well as leading a wide range of additional performances, such as pops and film, and the occasional subscription concert or special event. 

The Staff Conductor position is a three-season appointment beginning in the 2026/2027 season, 

continuing until the conclusion of the 2028/2029 season. The winning candidate must be available to begin work in Nashville, TN on or before August 26, 2026.

Key Responsibilities

• Write, program, host, and conduct Education and Community Concerts, in collaboration with and as assigned by the Music Advisor and Nashville Symphony staff.

• Conduct and assist with programming for Family, Orchestra Specials, Pops concerts, and other programs as assigned. Assist with offstage conducting needs, prepare scores and call sound/light/supertitle cues as required.

• Serve as cover conductor for all other Nashville Symphony orchestra services including the series concerts, orchestra specials, and fee engagements.

• Participate in mentoring relationships with Nashville Symphony Music Advisor and senior staff. Actively engage with Nashville Symphony musicians, staff, and guest artists.

• Plan and host Community Engagement activities, including pre-concert lectures as assigned and events with community partners.

• Administrative duties which will include, but are not limited to, attending artistic planning meetings, as well as staff, board, and committee meetings.

• Public relations duties, which will include media appearances, public speaking engagements, engaging with donors, and other functions where the Staff Conductor represents the Nashville Symphony.

 

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional musicianship and conducting skills and have a broad knowledge of orchestra repertoire in particular and familiarity with all genres of music in general. S/he will have strong communication, interpersonal, leadership, and organizational skills. Creativity, flexibility, and the ability to work under pressure are extremely important to this position.

A minimum of four years' conducting experience with symphony orchestras, including with education and pops concerts, is required. Bachelors level college or conservatory degree in music or conducting required, and an advanced degree or training is preferred.

A detailed knowledge of orchestra operations, including familiarity with concert programming, professional performance practice, and the parameters of a union work environment are essential for this position. The successful candidate must be able to work well with artists with a broad spectrum of 

personalities. Staff Conductor must work days, evenings, and weekends as required. Staff Conductor shall reside in Nashville for the duration of the appointment. Applicants must legally be able to work in the United States. Relief for guest conducting opportunities to be discussed during contracting. 

 

Compensation and Benefits 

Salary will be $65,000.00 for the 2026/2027 season (pro-rated based on starting date). Annual salary is based on an August 1 – July 31 fiscal year.

 

The Staff Conductor is eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

• Life, AD&D, Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance

• 403(b) with employer match

• Flexible Spending Account 

• Paid Parking

• Complimentary Tickets: 4 tickets for every conducting appearance. Additional availability depending on sales.

 

Application Procedure

Candidates are requested to submit the following materials to no later than December 12, 2025.

All materials must be submitted electronically, with written materials sent as either PDF or MS Word files. Candidates will be notified once their application has been received. 

1. Cover Letter
2. Résumé 
3. References and/or letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are strongly encouraged.
4. Videos

• Videos must show recent conducting experience and would ideally include a varied selection of repertoire. Performance and/or rehearsal videos are acceptable.
• Videos must be of the conductor from the orchestra's vantage point.
• Videos must be submitted via YouTube, Vimeo, or similar online video hosting services. Do not send videos as files attached to emails. If videos are password protected, please be sure to include password information. If using YouTube, videos may be marked as "unlisted" but please DO NOT mark videos as "private." Online video submission must be easily accessible by multiple users.
  
   

Audition Process

An audition committee including Nashville Symphony conducting staff, musicians, and administrative staff will review applications and may further screen potential candidates through preliminary interviews and contact with references. The committee will select up to seven candidates and up to four alternates to invite to the live audition.

On February 1, 2026 candidates will be notified of their invitation to the live audition, and all other applicants will be informed that they have not been selected to continue the audition process.

The audition with orchestra will take place on Tuesday, March 3, OR Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The first round of the audition will include podium time for all invited candidates on identical repertoire. The audition committee will then select up to three finalists to advance to the second conducting round and interviews. The second conducting round will include a demonstration of audience communication and rehearsal of selected repertoire. During the interviews, candidates will be expected to present outlines of an education program and a separate community engagement initiative of their own design, in addition to general interview Q&A. 

Finalists will be notified about the outcome of the audition by Wednesday, May 1, 2026.

Audition Repertoire

Repertoire for the audition to be selected from the following:

Debussy- Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun

J. Strauss- Overture to Die Fledermaus

Mozart- Overture to Die Zauberflöte, K. 620 (The Magic Flute)

Stravinsky- Petrushka (1947)

1. The Shrove-Tide Fair

Bernstein | Arr. Mason- West Side Story Selection