Orchestra Manager Jobs

About This Music Career

The Orchestra's Managing Director's assistant is the Orchestra Manager, whose main duty is negotiating with the musician's union on behalf of the orchestra. He or she is negotiating in an attempt to get the best deal for orchestra management, while keeping the players happy at the same time.

Also, the Orchestra Manager is in responsible for arranging orchestra concert tours, and will be the point person for any problems that arise including something like instruments that arrive late to an auditorium, or a musician who becomes ill in the middle of night and must be replaced - and under the pressures of touring, these types of problems are magnified.

The Orchestra Manager is also responsible for overseeing the orchestra's administrative employees. These employees include the Directors of Development, Public Relations, Educational Activities, and Ticket Subscriptions, the Music Administrator, and Business manager.

To succeed, the Orchestra Manager must have a general understanding of community needs. He or she must also negotiate contracts for any guest soloists and/or guest conductors who will be performing with the orchestra. The Orchestra Manager answers to the Managing Director of the orchestra. The position of Orchestra Manager takes place during non-traditional work hours.

Salaries
Depending on size, budget, and a few other factors, orchestras are designated into different groups - there are major orchestras like the Boston Symphony, and there are regional orchestras like the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; there are even smaller, metropolitan, urban, community, college, and youth orchestras! With all things considered, Orchestra Managers can expect to earn anything from $26,000 to $100,000 plus per year.

Employment
To be employed by a major or regional orchestra, opportunities are slim. With that said, there are sometimes positions available at the metropolitan, urban, and community level - but these jobs do not always offer full-time employment.

Advancement
As mentioned, the Orchestra Manager is not filled by one who is looking for an entry level position. Before becoming an Orchestra Manager, one might hold a position as Public Relations Director, Fund-Raising Director, or Business Manager. From the position of Orchestra Manager, those who are successful can look opportunities to move up to the position of Managing Director, or maintain the title or Orchestra Manager, but with a larger, more prestigious orchestra.

Education and Training
Due to the increased level of competition, a formal education in the form of a music school degree is recommended for aspiring Orchestra Managers. Without a music school degree, one can still become an Orchestra Manger, but with a smaller, lesser-known orchestra. To increase one's knowledge, courses in music management, administration, business, publicity, labor negotiations, fund-raising, and psychology are useful.

Experience, Skills, and Personality
A good business understanding, along with sensitivity to musicians and the pressures and problems they face regularly is necessary to be a successful Orchestra Manager. Of course, hands-on experience is always helpful as well. To gain useful experience, internship programs are extremely beneficial.

Unions and Associations
The Orchestra Manager can belong to the American Symphony Orchestra League (ASOL) and/or a local arts council.

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