The South Bend Symphony Orchestra (the Symphony) has been a cultural cornerstone of Northern Indiana for over nine decades. With a mission to inspire, entertain, and connect people with the transformative power of orchestral music, the Symphony is committed to artistry of the highest quality, educational outreach, and community engagement while being a vital and unifying force for all.
Through its programming and strategic partnerships, the Symphony presents a broad range of musical voices and traditions. Recent highlights include guest appearances by cellists Yo Yo Ma and Joshua Roman, French horn player Sarah Willis, and the Silk Road Ensemble. Programs have also featured the world premiere of Anna Clyne’s Quarter Days and the U.S. premiere of excerpts from Malek Jandali’s Symphony No. 6, “The Desert Rose”. Audiences enjoy a rich variety of music ranging from such demanding works as Gustav Mahler’s Fifth Symphony and Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring to tributes to Aretha Franklin and 1980s pop music.
In recent years, the Symphony has placed a greater emphasis on showcasing works by historically underrepresented composers, ensuring a more inclusive reflection of the rich tapestry of orchestral music. In April 2022, the Symphony presented its first concert featuring an entire program of works by Black composers, including Florence Price, Quinn Mason, and William Levi Dawson. Under the leadership of Grammy-nominated Music Director Alastair Willis since 2016, the Symphony has gained national recognition and in 2023, advanced from Group Five to Group Four in The League of American Orchestras national rankings.
The Executive Director will oversee all business aspects of the Symphony, including financial management, fundraising, marketing, audience development, labor relations, and organizational administration. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working in partnership with the Music Director, they will provide strategic leadership to advance the Symphony’s artistic, educational, and community engagement initiatives. By building strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders and serving as a champion for the musicians, the Executive Director will foster an inclusive and collaborative work culture.
The South Bend Symphony Orchestra offers a competitive and equitable compensation and benefits package, including an annual salary range of $120,000 to $130,000, with an opportunity to earn an annual performance-based bonus. Benefits include paid time off and holiday pay, health insurance that includes vision and dental coverage, and a voluntary 401K retirement plan with a company matching contribution of 3%. A relocation package is also available if the candidate is not locally based.
To apply, visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/south-bend-symphony-orchestra-seeks-executive-director/