Career Planning – Frequently Asked Questions

Get involved with committees and non-performance activities that the orchestra does so that you can learn how these aspects of the orchestra work. Look into taking the League’s Essentials of Orchestra Management seminar.

Yes! There are performers who work in every aspect of the administrative work for an orchestra either on a full time or part-time basis.

Not at all. Orchestras have lots of different type of jobs and each of these require different skills just like jobs in any other business. This means that orchestras need people with degrees and experience in business, finance, technology, web design, recording and new media, marketing, communications, public relations and writing to name a few. But for some jobs—like working on putting together the concerts for the season—a music degree and knowledge of orchestral repertoire is needed.

It depends on the position. If you aspire to be the executive director of the orchestra, either of these degrees will provide important learning in the areas of finance, management, and business processes.  But many managers gain experience on the job and then add a course or two as needed. Advanced degrees always add to your learning but are not a requirement for working in an orchestra.

Yes. Orchestras need experienced people in all areas of management including finance, development, marketing, technology, human resources, and facilities management.

Orchestras are like other businesses in that the smaller the budget, the smaller the number of staff; the larger the budget, the larger the number of staff. Working for a small organization usually means that you’ll be involved with many different aspects of running the organization, have a range of responsibilities and projects, and work closely with the musicians and the community.

Within a larger organization and larger staff, your job is usually more specialized and your projects and work will have more depth and focus. Depending on the specific job responsibilities, interaction with other department and staff will be limited as most of your work will be contained within your department. For future job opportunities, both types of organizations have their benefits.

How can I find out about job opportunities in orchestras?

The League maintains a job posting board for its members (to join the League, click here). Individual orchestra websites also post open positions.

If you know the city or area you’d like to work in, job websites such as Indeed and Idealist.org are good sources for available positions. Also, check with your college’s career center.

If you know which orchestra you’d like to work for and you don’t see any open positions, contact their HR office and ask about internship, summer, and volunteer opportunities. Your enthusiasm for working for the orchestra may lead to something!

Travel may be part of your work if you are involved with the jobs within operations, tours, or orchestra personnel. Some examples: smaller budget orchestras may perform in different venues in their community; state orchestras often give concerts all around their state; and the largest budget size orchestras often travel to different locales in the United States as well as Europe and Asia.

If you are in school, try and get a work-study position working with your orchestra or band in operations or concert production. Contact your local orchestra to ask about available paid internships or part-time jobs or volunteering opportunities.

If you want to learn more about a certain job, contact the person in your local orchestra who does this job and ask to meet with him or her to learn more.

The League has a list of member orchestras by state. Click here to go to this list.