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Symphony and Orchestra Careers
Careers in Classical Music, Symphony, Orchestra, and More.
Conductor
Alternate Titles: Chief Conductor, Principle Conductor, Maestro, Music Director
Job Description: Conductors lead orchestras, operas, and other musical ensembles during live performances.
Salary: $15,000-$275,000+
Concertmaster/Concertmistress
Alternate Titles: Section Leader, 1st Violinist
Job Description: Leads violin section of the orchestra, performs as a soloist, decides on bowings for the first violins, and works closely with the Conductor.
Salary: $116,468 to $615,924
Section Leader
Alternate Titles: Principal Player, Principal
Job Description: Leads a section of the orchestra, sometimes supervises rehearsals with the section, and assigns parts to musicians.
Salary: $28,000 to $143,000+
Section Member
Alternate Titles: Classical Musician, Section Player
Job Description: Rehearses, performs, and sometimes records with an orchestra.
Salary: $28,000 to $143,000
Opera Singer
Alternate Titles: Singer, Classical Singer, Soprano, Mezzosoprano, Tenor, Countertenor, Baritone, Bass
Job Description: An Opera Singer sings and acts out operatic pieces in a theatrical setting.
Salary: $450 to $1,000+ per performance
Managing Director
Alternate Titles: Executive Director
Job Description: Managing Directors oversee the orchestra’s daily operations, strategic planning, and the different departments responsible for fundraising, event production, and so on.
Salary: $90,000 to $1,500,000+
Orchestra Manager
Alternate Titles: General Manager, Vice President of Operations
Job Description: Orchestra Managers handle contracts with musicians, venues, and vendors. They also help manage rehearsals, event logistics, and operations personnel.
Salary: $26,000 to $100,000+
Symphony Business Manager
Alternate Titles: Business Manager, Director of Business Operations, Finance Director
Job Description: Supervises general accounting, including accounts payable and receivable and sourcing competitive bidding for office equipment. Attends board meetings and staffs finance committees.
Salary: $25,000 to $85,000+
Director of Development
Alternate Titles: Fundraising Director
Job Description: Oversees philanthropic and marketing support received from individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies on behalf of the orchestra.
Salary: $25,000 to $90,000+
Director of Public Relations
Alternate Titles: PR Director, Director of Press Relations, Publicity Director
Job Description: Coordinates press and promotions of orchestra, may handle advertising.
Salary: $30,000 to $75,000+
Subscriptions and Ticket Service Director
Alternate Titles: Head of Subscriptions, Ticket Service Director, Ticket Services Manager
Job Description: Manages the day-to-day operations of the ticketing offices, maintains the ticketing system, ensures patrons receive their tickets, and supervises the box office.
Salary: $24,000 to $49,000+
Director of Educational Activities
Alternate Titles: Director of Education,Education Director
Job Description: Education Directors plan, coordinate, and implement an orchestra’s educational community outreach programs for local children and adults.
Salary: $24,000 to $50,000+
Personnel Director
Alternate Titles: Personnel Manager
Job Description: Personnel Directors handle human resources for the orchestra, hiring musicians and ensuring their working conditions are up to par.
Salary: $26,000 to $65,000+
Orchestral Music Librarian
Alternate Titles: Performance Librarian
Job Description: Catalogs and orders music for the orchestra, assists Conductor by copying scores and sheet music.
Salary: $40,000 and up