Interlochen Center for the Arts, one of America’s oldest and most prestigious institutions for arts education, broadcasting, and fine arts presentations, seeks a full time resident teacher-conductor for the Academy Orchestra, often called “America’s finest high school orchestra.” The ideal candidate should be an experienced, energetic and disciplined conductor-teacher, dedicated to providing creative and challenging leadership to an orchestral program of gifted and promising young artists. Candidates should be able to promote and foster strong collegial relationships with professional colleagues within and outside the school and continue to build the reputation of the orchestra program and the Academy.
Interlochen comprises a rare collection of educational and artistic components, including the nation’s oldest and finest summer arts camp, the nation’s premier fine arts boarding high school, a year-round arts festival presenting more than 600 events, Interlochen Public Radio, a charter member of National Public Radio, and Interlochen College, a program for creative adults and arts professionals.
The Academy: Founded in 1962, Interlochen Arts Academy is recognized as a model teaching center for the nation’s future artistic talent. Located on a 1200 acre wooded campus fifteen miles from Traverse City, Michigan, the Academy offers instruction to 500 talented students from throughout the United States and many countries in creative writing, dance, music, theatre arts, visual arts, motion picture arts, with a rigorous program of college-preparatory academics. Artistic and academic faculty of extraordinary caliber create an unparalleled creative, learning and performing environment. Approximately 95% of the students who graduate from the Academy choose to pursue a professional career in the arts; Academy graduates rank among this country’s most distinguished performers and teachers in the arts, as well national leaders in the humanities and a variety of professions.
The Orchestra: The 90 member Academy orchestra is considered by many to be the nation’s finest high school orchestras, performing at a level equal to and above many conservatory, university or regional symphonies. A demanding rehearsal and performance cycle prepares students with a wide range of classical and contemporary literature of the highest caliber. The Orchestra has toured nationally to rave reviews and enjoys strong support from Michigan audiences. Outstanding nationally known studio faculty support the orchestra program. The orchestra performs 10 concerts per year, including support for orchestral performances by Academy composers, student concerto soloists and a full ballet performance in collaboration with the Department of Dance.
All faculty are required to work with students outside their teaching responsibilities, compensating for parental absence and assisting the residence hall staff in the development of students' total experience at Interlochen. The Department of Music is a non-degree granting member of NASM, and the first independent school to be accredited by ACCPAS. The Music Department during the academic year includes 260 majors in string/wind/percussion, voice/choral/opera, piano, guitar, composition and organ. The faculty includes 25 full-time and 9 part-time instructors. The Music Department has many ensembles, including a full orchestra, 80 piece wind band, 80 voice choir/chamber singers, jazz ensemble and combos, percussion ensemble and brass ensemble. The new state-of-the-art Frederick and Elizabeth Ludwig Fennell Music Library provides extensive music resources that rivals many college libraries. Additional information about Interlochen is available at www.interlochen.org. Sample programs and recordings are available upon request for interested candidates.
Qualifications: A Master of Music degree or performance equivalent in music and/or conducting, with substantial performance in significant venues and demonstrated conducting/ teaching experience is required. The successful candidate must be able to create an exciting and challenging teaching and performing environment that fosters an intense learning atmosphere. Significant experience as an established conductor of orchestras in high school, collegiate and/or professional settings is essential, along with the ability to understand the needs and capabilities of young, developing high caliber instrumental performers. Interlochen expects its performance faculty to establish and maintain personal and professional credibility through frequent performance on and off campus.
Responsibilities: The successful candidate will provide strong leadership and vision for the Academy orchestra program, working in concert with the applied studios to develop a comprehensive program of orchestral studies that respects both large, chamber and individual performance. Candidates will be assigned additional responsibilities commensurate with their experience, in studio teaching, chamber coaching, accompanying, opera or other areas.
Ensemble faculty are responsible for preparing students for college and conservatory auditions. They are also expected to demonstrate high potential for and take an active role in recruiting efforts that both build and maintain an outstanding studio and ensemble program. All faculty are expected to participate in a variety of student and campus activities.
Deadline: Screening will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For priority consideration, please submit all materials by May 31, 2008.
Compensation and Benefits: A competitive salary and benefit package is offered.
Application: Please submit a letter of application, curriculum vita, CD/DVD recordings demonstrating conducting experience (rehearsal & performance), unofficial educational transcripts and no fewer than 3 current letters of recommendation to:
ICA Human Resources
IAA Orchestral Search
P.O. Box 199
Interlochen, MI 49643-0199
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