Contracted Stipend: one day of in person rehearsals a week, auditions, prep time prior to auditions and first rehearsal, weekly allotted for planning, occasional program and site meetings, and occasional evenings for performances
Reports to: JOY Program Director, YES Executive Director
Desired Start Date: April 2025
Stipend: Experience and Ensemble Dependent
Two positions available
– JOY Prelude Strings: $3360-$4128
– JOY Symphony: $4445-$5461
No TSPC Licensure required
Closing date: March 27, 2025

Organization Overview
The Junior Orchestra of Yamhill County (JOY) is a collaborative project of the Yamhill Enrichment Society (YES), a 501(3)c organization dedicated to transforming the lives of Yamhill County youth by providing access to music and literacy enrichment. JOY is an El Sistema member organization. JOY is committed to supporting the growth of curricular strings programs in Yamhill County and is currently operating in the Newberg and McMinnville School Districts. JOY consists of in school programming for kindergarten and first grade students during their general music classes, After School learning orchestras for grades 2-5, and, coming fall 2025, are our audition based JOY Youth Orchestra offerings. JOY is currently growing and is adding offerings by grade level at each school.

Position Overview
The JOY Prelude Strings and JOY Symphony are new youth orchestra programming being offered for the first time in the fall of 2025. JOY Prelude Strings is meant for 4-8 string students and the JOY Symphony is meant for 7-12 grade students. All students must be enrolled in their school’s orchestral offering and must live in Yamhill County. Homeschool, private school, and public school students are welcome. There are two conducting positions open; one for JOY Prelude Strings and one for the JOY Symphony.

Schedule
This is a contracted stipend position. Auditions will take place in late May with a chance to audition again in the fall. Prep time for auditions, first rehearsal, and rehearsals following suite have been included in the stipend. Rehearsals would potentially 5:45-7:00 for JOY Prelude Strings and 6:00-7:45 for JOY Symphony and could potentially be on Wednesday nights. The JOY Preludes and Symphony ensembles will meet eleven times a semester before their concert.

Final schedules are determined after auditions in May. Other opportunities such as teaching K-1 violin, substitute teaching, and teaching in the after school orchestra for grades 2-5 may also be available. Additional hours could be available or added based on program needs. Examples include staff and student recruiting, summer camp, concerts, public performances, and special events.

Position Overview
Functions and responsibilities may include the following and are subject to review. 

REHEARSALS/PERFORMANCES 

  • Looking for two conductors, one for JOY Prelude Strings and one for JOY Symphony 
  • Conduct JOY Prelude Strings or JOY Symphony during weekly rehearsals from mid September to May/June 
  • Prepare for two concerts and one special event, such as outreach, per year. The special event and concert dates are set by the JOY Program Director, JOY Prelude Strings and JOY Symphony directors.  
  • Create a plan for effective and efficient rehearsals and concerts, assessing capabilities of individual members and the orchestra as a whole. 
  • Develop and lead rehearsals that incorporate both established best practices and innovative methods, applying effective orchestral techniques while imparting musical knowledge and appropriate performance practices in preparation for upcoming performances. 
  • JOY Prelude Strings rehearses 1.25 hours a week and JOY Symphony rehearses 1.5 hours a week. 

COMMUNITY/COLLABORATION 

  • Develop strong working relationships with volunteers, parents, staff, board members, and community partners for special events that benefit JOY 
  • Cultivate relationships with district teachers, private instructors, and professional musicians in Yamhill County to foster collaborative partnerships. 
  • Collaborate with the YES Executive Director, YES Board, and JOY Program Director to determine strategic program evolution that enhances the JOY mission, while also working together to create new avenues for community outreach. 
  • Available for marketing and promotional activities for JOY and YES 
  • Participate in quarterly JOY Subcommittee Meetings 
  • Collaborate with staff to develop and implement an active and robust recruitment program for our youth ensembles and programs, targeting student musicians from Yamhill County. 
  • Serve as a community ambassador for JOY 

RECRUITING/RETENTION 

  • Conduct on-site visits to schools and music departments to build connections with community arts partners. 
  • Attend all auditions in the fall, mid-season, and spring. 
  • Collaborate with fellow ensemble conductors, judges, and music education staff to create audition rubrics and criteria for the acceptance and placement of musicians that reflect accepted practices. 
  • Vision of professional and program growth with multi-year goals within JOY Prelude Strings or JOY Symphony. 

LITERATURE 

  • Coordinate with the JOY Program Director to borrow, purchase, or rent scores, ensuring that all bowings and markings are clear and consistent. 
  • Balance well-known repertoire with compositions from underrepresented composers, to ignite new talent and expand the breadth of musical genres. 
  • In consultation with ensemble directors, select repertoire appropriate to the performance level of ensemble: 
  • Ensures effective engagement of all orchestra members. 
  • Is suitable for the available instrumentation within the ensembles. 
  • Provides an enjoyable and rewarding experience that enhances students’ performance skills, musicianship, and growth. 

Opportunities for professional development through El Sistema USA, OMEA, and other state and national music education organizations may be offered and encouraged as part of this role. 

Desired Qualifications and Experience

Required 

  • Bachelor’s Degree in music performance, music education, or conducting 
  • Minimum of 3 years of similar ensemble conducting experience. 
  • Knowledge of level-appropriate string technique and sound pedagogy 
  • If applying for the JOY Symphony: knowledge of level-appropriate woodwind, brass, and percussive techniques. 
  • Extensive knowledge of orchestral repertoire and practices along with an appreciation for a wide variety of genres of music. 
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
  • Ability to meet deadlines and work within an allocated budget. 
  • Working knowledge of risk management issues. 
  • Ability to establish an inclusive, supportive, and safe rehearsal environment that fosters musical excellence in developing musicians 
  • Must pass a Newberg and McMinnville School District background checks 

 Preferred 

  • Graduate Degree in music performance, music education, or conducting 
  • Prior work within El Sistema program 
  • Minimum of 5 years of similar ensemble conducting experience 
  • Bilingual (Spanish and English) 

 To Apply

Please submit the following electronically to JOY Program Director Amy Brunner (amy@yamhillenrichmentsociety.org)  

  • Cover Letter 
  • Resume 
  • 3 professional references 
  • Video of applicant conducting 3-5 contrasting works (no longer than 20 minutes) 

Interview Process 

  • Finalists may be asked to work with a youth ensemble for observation. 

 Work Setting 

This job is primarily performed in a classroom environment where most of the time will require ambulating around the room. There is some stationary (desk) work when needed or for at-home planning; regular computer work and work with other office equipment; regular communication with teachers, staff and students, and occasional lifting and/or moving up to 40-45 pounds.  

 Yamhill Enrichment Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value, honor and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our employment and education programs. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are enthusiastically encouraged to apply.