Director of Educational Activity Jobs

About This Music Career

Students and youngsters within communities need to be able to partake in educational activities, and it is the Director of Educational Activities who is responsible for coordinating all orchestral activities for community kids. One of their main functions is to work with surrounding schools. In doing so, he or she might offer concerts to the schools or he might bring parts of the orchestra to the schools to perform.

He or she also works closely with the Music Administrator, Managing Director, and/or the Orchestra Manager. The Director of Educational Activities might recommend discounted student ticket prices, and might work to make sure that all students, administrators, etc. are aware of special acidities. The director can do this by sending brochures, posters, or other promotional materials to schools or by placing marketing materials in areas surrounding the school.

Other things done by the Director of Educational Activities include planning tours for students of orchestra halls and concert venues, or preparing informational booklets that deal with the many different career opportunities within this field.

Please note that the Director of Educational Activities is not a position employed in all orchestras, as smaller orchestras usually give these responsibilities to the public relations or ticket subscriptions departments.

Salaries

The Director of Educational Activities in an orchestra might work part-time or full-time; part-time workers are paid by the hour or by the project. Those who work full time earn salaries ranging from $24,000 to $50,000 or more per year. Of course, these salaries vary depending on orchestra size and budget.

Employment

As mentioned, not all orchestras offer this position, so jobs are hard to come by. Also, because these types of orchestra jobs are hard to locate, not many people leave the position once they obtain (leading to low turnover).

Advancement

A Director of Educational Activities can seek advancement through similar jobs with bigger, more prestigious orchestras. He or she may also move up in the organization to the position of Director of Public Relations or Fund-Raising. Either way, advancement opportunities are poor due to low turnover with many positions within the orchestra.

Education and Training

With smaller orchestras, the Director of Educational Activities is usually not required to hold a formal a formal education; other than a high school diploma. However, in larger orchestras, individuals may be required to hold college or music school degrees.

Experience, Skills, and Personality

Of course, the Director of Educational Activities must know a lot about how the orchestra works and music in general. He or she should have the ability to write clearly and creatively and must be articulate and able to relate to children. Some obtain this position right out of college, while others work within an orchestra as publicists or musicians beforehand.

Unions and Associations

The Director of Educational Activities can belong to the American Symphony Orchestra League (ASOL), which is the association that offers seminars, information, and other useful assistance.

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