Artistic Director
Lakeview Orchestra seeks the next Artistic Director to lead the orchestra’s artistic
programming and performances. This position reports to the organization’s Board of
Directors and works collaboratively with administrative staff.
The orchestra currently performs five concerts each season, from September to June,
on the Athenaeum Center’s main stage and strives to foster a strong sense of
community within the ensemble and with our broader Chicagoland audience.
Key Responsibilities
● Artistic Vision & Programming:
o Develop the artistic direction for the orchestra, ensuring programming that
appeals to the orchestra’s musicians and audience.
o Plan and conduct five concert cycles per season, each involving six
weekly rehearsals to prepare the orchestra for performances.
o Work closely with the Artistic Committee to ensure alignment with the
orchestra’s goals and mission.
● Rehearsals & Performances:
o Lead efficient, engaging, and productive rehearsals that help musicians
achieve high artistic standards.
o Create and lead compelling concerts that captivate the audience and foster
an engaging concert experience.
● Collaboration & Administrative Responsibilities:
o Collaborate with the Board of Directors and administrative staff to ensure
successful planning and execution of the orchestra’s artistic goals.
o Participate in season planning, auditions, and other artistic matters
consistent with the organization’s operating budget.
● Community Engagement & Development:
o Engage with audience members and the local arts community to build
connections and support for Lakeview Orchestra.
o Participate in fundraising and donor engagement activities, assisting with
outreach efforts as time allows.
Required Qualifications
● Musical Expertise:
o Exceptional musicianship with a deep knowledge of orchestral repertoire
across various periods and styles.
o Strong conducting skills, including leading effective rehearsals and clearly
communicating musical ideas to musicians of all levels.
o Experience working with volunteer ensembles is a plus.
● Leadership & Communication:
o A warm and approachable leadership style, capable of fostering a fun,
collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment within the orchestra.
o Excellent verbal communication skills in rehearsals and when engaging
with the community.
o Ability to motivate and inspire musicians while balancing high artistic
expectations and understanding a volunteer orchestra’s unique needs.
● Community Involvement:
o Must be a resident of Chicago or the surrounding suburbs with existing or
emerging connections to the local arts community.
o Shows enthusiasm for building relationships with local audiences, arts
organizations, and other stakeholders.
Time Commitment
● Lead five concert cycles per season, including time for rehearsals
(approximately six 2.5-hour-long rehearsals per concert cycle) and personal
concert preparation.
● Allocate additional time for donor engagement and community outreach activities
within the bounds of a part-time commitment.
● Attend quarterly board meetings as a non-voting member and present the Artistic
Committee report.
● Attend community and fundraising events on behalf of Lakeview Orchestra when
possible.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit the following:
● Cover letter detailing your experience and vision for leading a volunteer
orchestra.
● Résumé or CV outlining relevant musical and leadership experience.
● Three to five sample concert programs or repertoire lists you have developed
or conducted.
● Three references from colleagues, musicians, or board members familiar with
your work.
● Two conducting videos of contrasting styles from the perspective of the
orchestra demonstrating your artistic abilities.
Applications will be accepted until January 3, 2025 and reviewed by the Artistic Director
Search Committee. Initial interviews will be conducted in early 2025 and finalists will be
invited to rehearse and conduct a concert cycle in the 2025-2026 season. The artistic
director of Lakeview Orchestra will be selected at the conclusion of the 2025-2026
season and commence their role at the beginning of the 2026-2027 season.
About Lakeview Orchestra
The mission of Lakeview Orchestra is to engage, entertain, and educate audiences
through symphonic music, provide an opportunity for Chicago-area musicians to
develop and perform, and strengthen the appreciation for and understanding of classical
music in the Lakeview community and beyond.
Lakeview Orchestra was founded in 2013 and is recognized as “Chicago’s premier
non-professional orchestra” (Chicago Classical Review). The orchestra’s commitment to
artistic excellence has been noted by audiences, critics, and artists alike. In 2016,
Lakeview Orchestra garnered an unprecedented three awards in a single year from the
Illinois Council of Orchestras, including the prestigious Orchestra of the Year award. In
2023, the ensemble garnered the Illinois Council of Orchestra’s Volunteer of the Year
and Programming of the Year awards.
