Description
Reports To: Music Director + VP Artistic Planning & Operations + VP of Education
About the Position
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (NY) seeks a talented and dynamic Assistant Conductor to lead a variety of conducting duties, to be an advocate and ambassador of the orchestra’s mission, and to build and foster community relationships. This is a one-season appointment, with the potential for renewal.
Duties & Responsibilities
Podium responsibilities to include:
§ Music Director of Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
§ Family and education concerts
§ Community concerts
§ Summer season concerts
§ Holiday programs
§ Cover conductor assignments as made by the RPO’s music director
§ Possible pops, movies, special concert events
Design exciting concert programs that are appropriate for the audiences in which they serve.
Deliver confident and engaging public talks, pre-concert chats, and introductory remarks from stage.
Be a powerful advocate and ambassador for the RPO in interactions with board members, donors, sponsors, and other constituencies in private and public settings.
Participate in active recruitment for the youth orchestra.
Build, foster, and nurture community relationships and partnerships.
Provide artistic support to the Music Director, Principal Pops Conductor, and guest conductors as needed.
Requirements
ABOUT THE CANDIDATE
Candidates must have meaningful orchestral conducting experience in a professional or academic setting and broad knowledge of orchestral repertoire.
Training from a recognized conducting program; master’s degree in conducting or an Artist’s Diploma preferred.
Experience in a variety of conducting settings including classical, pops, youth, and community concerts.
Demonstrated success in programming a variety of repertory and musical styles, with sensitivity to budgetary considerations.
Interest and champion of diverse repertoire, including living composers.
Strong commitment to music education.
Public speaking experience.
The assistant conductor will be available for the majority of the orchestra’s 38-week season and reside in the Rochester, NY metropolitan area.
TIMELINE
Review of applications will be overseen by an audition committee comprised of RPO conductors, musicians, and administrative staff. The committee will recommend finalists to attend in-person auditions, who we expect to notify in early March 2026.
Auditions will take place on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Rochester, NY.
The RPO will provide an honorarium of $500 to selected conductors to assist in travel & housing costs, as well as extend our reduced hotel rate. Local transportation will be provided.
BENEFITS
Position will begin on a full-time basis at the start of the 2026-2027 Season.
The RPO offers a high-deductible health insurance plan, with an HRA, to which the RPO contributes funds toward the out-of-pocket deductible.
Voluntary tax-sheltered annuity 403(b) plan.
In addition, the RPO provides dental, vision, short term and long-term disability, life insurance, and a voluntary flexible spending account.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Deadline: Friday, February 13, 2026 (close of business)
Please submit the following in an email to jbarry@rpo.org, with subject line ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR POSITION:
1) One-page letter of interest (pdf).
2) Resume (pdf).
3) No more than two letters of recommendation (pdf).
4) Video links to no more than 30-minutes of conducting footage.
o Preference is for recent concert or rehearsal footage, from orchestra point of view, in a variety of conducting styles demonstrating different styles, tempi, historical periods, and repertoire.
o YouTube or Vimeo links only please. If protected, please provide password.
Questions?
Please contact James Barry, Vice President of Artistic Planning & Operations at jbarry@rpo.org. No phone calls, please.
About the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
The mission of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is to inspire, educate and engage our community through the art of music. Core values of the RPO include a passionate dedication to outstanding musical performances at the highest artistic levels; a unique tradition of musical versatility, a commitment to music education in its broadest sense; a deep and enduring engagement with the community; a culture that inspires staff, board, volunteers and musicians to excel; and a commitment to grow while living within our means. The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra embraces a tradition of musical excellence by presenting a diverse array of symphonic performances throughout the year. Originally established in 1922 with the support of George Eastman, the RPO thrives on a spirit of collaboration among musicians, staff, board members and the community. The RPO performs in the renovated Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre and throughout the city and western New York State. Programs include education and outreach initiatives, and concert series for all types of listeners, including Philharmonics under the leadership of Music Director Andreas Delfs, Pops under the leadership of Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, diverse Specials, Family, Sunday matinees, annual Nutcracker Ballet, multiple layers of full orchestra education concerts, and a diverse offering of summer concerts throughout New York State. The RPO regularly collaborates with arts organizations in the greater Rochester area including the Rochester City Ballet, local colleges including the Eastman School of Music, and choral and dance groups.
About the Rochester Philharmonic YOUTH Orchestra
Since 1970, the RPYO has offered our community’s most advanced young musician’s orchestral experiences of the highest order. Sponsored by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra's Education Department, the RPYO in association with the Eastman Community Music School (ECMS) serves about 100 students in grades 8-12. It motivates its student musicians to achieve excellence in performance and a life-long love of music as music professionals or dedicated amateurs and friends of music. Weekly rehearsals, coaching by RPO musicians, an annual Side-by-Side Concert with the RPO, concerts in Rochester’s major performance halls, and periodic trips or other special activities provide musically rich, personally rewarding, and uniquely maturing experiences.
