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Community Orchestra Conductor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Community Orchestra Conductor information

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$25.5K

$96.4K

$158K

How much do community orchestra conductor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for community orchestra conductor in the United States is $96,382.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,000.00 and $118,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a community orchestra conductor do?

A community orchestra conductor leads rehearsals and performances for a local, often volunteer-based orchestra. They select music, interpret scores, and guide musicians to achieve a cohesive and expressive performance. In addition to musical leadership, they often handle organizational tasks such as scheduling, community outreach, and collaborating with board members or volunteers. Their role is both artistic and administrative, helping to foster musical growth and engagement within the community.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a community orchestra conductor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Community Orchestra Conductor, you need strong musical knowledge, conducting technique, and often a degree in music or equivalent experience. Familiarity with score preparation software, rehearsal planning tools, and sometimes basic audio equipment is typical. Exceptional leadership, communication, and motivational skills help unite and inspire musicians of varying backgrounds. These skills ensure effective rehearsals, cohesive performances, and a positive, engaging experience for the orchestra and its community.

What are some common challenges faced by a community orchestra conductor and how can they be addressed?

Community Orchestra Conductors often work with musicians of varying skill levels and backgrounds, which can present challenges in achieving a cohesive sound. Addressing these differences requires strong communication, patience, and the ability to adapt rehearsal techniques to suit the ensemble's needs. Additionally, conductors may need to handle administrative tasks such as scheduling, collaborating with local organizations, and recruiting new members. Building a sense of community and fostering motivation are key to overcoming these challenges and creating a rewarding experience for both musicians and audiences.

What is the difference between Community Orchestra Conductor vs Community Band Conductor?

AspectCommunity Orchestra ConductorCommunity Band Conductor
CredentialsMusic degree, conducting experienceMusic background, conducting skills
Work EnvironmentOrchestral settings, classical repertoireBand settings, diverse genres
Industry UsageClassical, orchestral performancesCommunity events, marching, concert bands

Both roles involve leading amateur or semi-professional ensembles, requiring similar musical credentials and conducting skills. The main difference lies in the type of ensemble: Community Orchestra Conductors focus on orchestras with string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments, often performing classical repertoire. Community Band Conductors lead bands that may include wind, brass, and percussion instruments, often playing a broader range of genres including marching and concert band music. While their skills overlap, their specific repertoire and ensemble types distinguish these roles.

What are popular job titles related to Community Orchestra Conductor jobs?

For Community Orchestra Conductor jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Community Orchestra Conductor job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $96,382 per year, or $46.3 per hour.

YOLA at HOLA, Symphony Orchestra Conductor

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Los Angeles Philharmonic
Music Bands and Freelance Musicians • 201 - 500 employees

$50/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association is currently seeking a:
Site Conductor, YOLA
Position: Site Conductor, YOLA
Status: Part-Time, Non-Exempt
Supervisor: Artistic Administrator, YOLA
Compensation: $50.00/hr
Department: Learning
Founded in 1919, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association's mission is to perform, present, and promote music in its varied forms at the highest level of excellence to a diverse and large audience, both at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association is dedicated to continuing its pre-eminent status in the music world of the 21st century.
Program Summary:
YOLA, a music education program of the LA Phil, provides incomparable and equitable access to a high-quality and intensive music education for young people in diverse and vibrant communities across Los Angeles and beyond. In providing this access, YOLA strives to support young people to leverage their learned skills and artistic identities and create transformational change for themselves and their communities. In 2021, the Beckmen YOLA Center was opened as a purpose-built space for YOLA programming and as cultural arts resource in the city of Inglewood. YOLA currently serves more than 1,700 elementary, middle, and high school students at five programs throughout Los Angeles, California.
Position Summary:
The YOLA Site Conductor is a part-time position responsible for the artistic quality and education of the assigned YOLA ensemble(s). YOLA Site Conductors lead rehearsals and guide pedagogy for the site orchestras at individual YOLA program sites. Each YOLA Site Conductor is a member of a cross-site artistic leadership team of conductors, who work collaboratively to guide the long-term musical and social growth of all YOLA musicians. This position reports to the YOLA Artistic Administrator and collaborates with the YOLA Site Program Manager. Further, each YOLA Site Conductor must reflect and communicate our respective partner organizations' mission and values as well as embrace and implement YOLA's curriculum and pedagogy practices.
Hours for this position will be up to approximately 10-15 hours per week.
Scope of Work
Conducting:
  • Lead youth orchestras in multiple weekly rehearsals from September through May, the July summer session, and as required in preparation for concerts and additional special events.
  • Rehearsals are expected to focus on building musical knowledge and understanding, as well as orchestral and instrumental techniques, with a goal of fostering the socio-emotional growth of the individual musicians and the ensemble as a community.
  • Reinforce orchestra members' understanding of concert etiquette and standard performance practices. Maintain high standards of personal musicianship, as well as high standards for the orchestra membership. Communicate responsibilities and expectations to students and parents, and be available to converse with them during breaks, as well as before and after rehearsals.
  • Select repertoire appropriate to the performance level, instrumentation, and pedagogy of each orchestra, in collaboration with LA Phil artistic direction and site teaching artists.
  • Follow the YOLA curriculum and uphold its core tenets around culturally responsive teaching, creative youth development and artistic development.

Administrative:
  • Develop effective and efficient rehearsal schedules and lesson plans to be shared with collaborating teaching artists and site staff, with an aim of aligning site instructional goals across classes and ensembles.
  • Coordinate with YOLA Ensemble Librarians for the purchase, rental, bowing, and marking of performance materials and scores.
  • Collaborate with Learning and YOLA staff in the formative and formal assessment of musical and social development of YOLA musicians and ensembles.
  • Collaborate with Learning and YOLA staff on developing and implementing an active recruitment program for the YOLA site.
  • Create, implement, document, revise and maintain curriculum informed by youth development best practices and YOLA curriculum and pedagogy.
  • Attend meetings related to events and projects you are tasked with and actively communicating conflicts and preparing for any meetings that cannot be attended.
  • Attend TA professional development sessions and visit group lessons on a regular basis to maintain pedagogical alignment across site instruction.
  • Participate in all Professional Development series related to curriculum and any processes around curriculum evaluation and assessment.
  • Be an active and participatory member of the Learning team and engage with all events for the YOLA site.

Interacts with:
  • YOLA Site Leadership, Teaching Artists, Musicians, Alumni, and Families
  • Learning Department, LA Phil
  • Community Partners
  • Internal and External Stakeholders

Position Preferences
  • Demonstrated music educator and conductor with extensive experience working with youth orchestras at all levels.
  • Strong understanding of youth orchestra repertoire, beginning instrumental curriculum, teaching artist pedagogy, and youth development practices.
  • Flexible, creative, and innovative approach to curriculum, programming, and concert design.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with multiple constituent groups including the surrounding community, partner organizations, teaching artists, students, and parents.
  • Have excellent communication skills, with attention to detail, strong sense of empathy and a proactive nature.
  • Have the ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations with excellent judgment and discretion.
  • Experience as a motivational mentor and support for students, parents, and teaching artists.
  • Ability to work under frequent observation.
  • Ability to arrange music and simplify orchestral parts is preferred.
  • Ability to work with multiple priorities that may need swift reorganization.
  • Experience working with children from diverse backgrounds; experience working in under-resourced communities.
  • Complete various tasks within established time frames.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
  • Strong independent work and proactively identify and assess effective methods of work operation.
  • Ability to work weekends and evenings.
  • Four-year undergraduate degree with a focus on music performance, music theory, or equivalent experience preferred.
  • Dedication and commitment to engage in and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the staff, vendors, and within interactions with the surrounding community is a must.
  • Secondary language fluency is a plus.

How to apply:
Complete the application with all pertinent information
At the end of the application, a confirmation page will appear when you have submitted your application.
An Equal Opportunity Employer: It is the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association's policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Association does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and religious grooming), sex (including pregnancy, perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition or information, genetic information, marital status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the law, the Association also provides reasonable accommodation for disabled applicants and employees in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, for pregnant employees who request an accommodation with the advice of their health care providers, for pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions; for employees who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; and for applicants and employees based on their religious beliefs and practices.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association is committed to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Association does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and religious grooming), sex (including pregnancy, perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition or information, genetic information, marital status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. Consistent with applicable law, the Association also provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures.