The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association is currently seeking an:

YOLA Site Conductor

Founded in 1919, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association's mission is to perform, present, and promote music in its varied forms at the highest level of excellence to a diverse and large audience, both at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association is dedicated to continuing its pre-eminent status in the music world of the 21st century.

Program Summary: 

YOLA is the signature program of Los Angeles Philharmonic Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel. YOLA is inspired by El Sistema, the Venezuelan music education system that provides half a million children with free musical instruments and intensive musical instruction. Central to YOLA’s mission is the promotion of healthy growth and development through the study, practice and performance of music. Simultaneously, YOLA positively invests in each child’s development as a musical ambassador of peace, hope, and understanding amongst a diverse population of cultures, backgrounds and beliefs. YOLA currently serves approximately 1000 elementary, middle, and high school students. 

Position Summary:

The YOLA Site Conductor, reporting to the Associate Director, Social Innovation, is responsible for leading rehearsals and guiding pedagogy for the Youth (Intermediate) and Symphony (Advanced) orchestras at individual YOLA program sites and provide additional support for beginning instrumental ensembles. Each YOLA Site Conductor is a member of a cross-site artistic leadership team of conductors and assistant conductors, who work collaboratively to guide the long-term musical and social growth of all YOLA musicians. Further, each YOLA Site Conductor must reflect and communicate our respective partner organizations’ mission and values. 

Position Elements:

• Lead Youth and Symphony orchestras in multiple weekly rehearsals from September through May, the July summer session, and as required in preparation for concerts and additional special events. Rehearsals are expected to focus on building musical knowledge and understanding, as well as orchestral and instrumental techniques, with a goal of fostering the socio-emotional growth of the individual musicians and the ensemble as a community. 
• Reinforce orchestra members’ understanding of concert etiquette and standard performance practices. Maintain high standards of personal musicianship, as well as high standards for the orchestra membership. Communicate responsibilities and expectations to students and parents, and be available to converse with them during breaks, as well as before and after rehearsals. 
• Select repertoire appropriate to the performance level, instrumentation, and pedagogical of each orchestra, in collaboration with LA Phil artistic direction and site teaching artists.  
• Develop effective and efficient rehearsal schedules and lesson plans to be shared with cooperating teaching artists and site staff, with an aim of aligning site instructional goals across classes and ensembles. 
• Coordinate with the Learning and library staff on the purchase, rental, bowing, and marking of performance materials and scores.  
• Collaborate with Associate Director, Social Innovation, Learning staff, site staff, students and families in the formative and formal assessment of musical and social development of YOLA musicians and ensembles.  
• Collaborate with the site and Learning staff on developing and implementing an active recruitment program for the YOLA site. 
• Create, implement, document, revise, and maintain curriculum informed by El Sistema, youth development best practices, and YOLA curriculum and pedagogy.  
• Act as a ‘spokesperson’ with various stakeholders associated with YOLA such as partners’ staff, boards, LA Phil musicians, parents, and YOLA stakeholders. 
• Collaborate with Children’s Orchestra conductors at each YOLA site. 
• Attend TA professional development sessions and visit group lessons on a regular basis to maintain alignment across site instruction. 
• Other duties as assigned 

Position Requirements:

• Demonstrated music educator and conductor with extensive experience working with youth orchestras at all levels 
• Strong understanding of El Sistema, youth orchestra repertoire, beginning instrumental curriculum, teaching artist pedagogy, and youth development practices 
• Flexible, creative, and innovative in approach to curriculum, program, and concert design 
• Ability to effectively communicate with multiple constituent groups including general public, partner organizations, teaching artists, students, and parents 
• Experience as a motivational mentor and support for students, parents, and teaching artists. 
• Ability to arrange music and simplify orchestral parts is preferred 
• Experience working with children from diverse backgrounds; experience working in under-resourced communities    
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community   
• Ability to work weekends and evenings   
• Bilingual in English and Spanish a plus    
• Four-year undergraduate degree with a focus on music performance, music theory, or equivalent experience preferred 

How to apply:

Complete the online application by clicking here.

• Complete the application with all pertinent information.
• At the end of the application, a confirmation page will appear when your submission has been successful