Music Director Expressions of Interest

Symphony Nova Scotia welcomes expressions of interest for the position of Music Director

Symphony Nova Scotia, a fully professional orchestra based in Halifax / K’jipuktuk, is now inviting expressions of interest for the position of Music Director to create great musical experiences, enhance artistic excellence, inspire and engage audiences, and embrace Nova Scotia’s varied and vibrant cultural community.

While the new Music Director may commence responsibilities as early as the 2026 / 27 season, the position will remain open until the ideal candidate has been found.

JOB PROFILE

The Symphony Nova Scotia Music Director is the artistic leader and community ambassador for one of Canada’s most versatile and dynamic orchestras.

The role of Symphony Nova Scotia’s Music Director is threefold :

ARTISTIC : In collaboration with the CEO and staff and reporting to the Board of Directors, the Music Director is the principal conductor of Symphony Nova Scotia and drives the orchestra’s artistic vision and activities including programming and attraction and retention of qualified orchestra musicians.

The Music Director leads and collaborates with the orchestra musicians to ensure that Symphony Nova Scotia continues to maintain and increase its level of artistic excellence.

• ADMINISTRATIVE : The Music Director works closely with the CEO to lead Symphony Nova Scotia. The Music Director makes artistic decisions in alignment with the organization’s Strategic Plan and within a set financial framework and provides support for marketing and fundraising initiatives.
• COMMUNITY : The Music Director commits to inclusive excellence through championing equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and reconciliation, and pursues artistic collaborations that amplify equity-deserving voices within the Nova Scotian Community.

The Music Director provides oversight as needed for Symphony Nova Scotia’s education and community engagement initiatives, including the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra, embracing the cultivation and stewardship of patrons, media, funders, and community members.

The Music Director is dedicated to raising the profile of the orchestra, expanding its audience, and ensuring its ongoing sustainability.

The Symphony Nova Scotia Music Director is a non-employee independent contractor required to enter into a contractual agreement with Symphony Nova Scotia and commit up to fifteen weeks per season on a full-time basis to Symphony Nova Scotia including the equivalent of up to ten performance weeks, the equivalent of up to two outreach weeks, and the equivalent of up to three administrative weeks.

Some administrative duties may be performed remotely depending on the nature of the given task, with exceptions such as auditions and specific meetings and events to support programming, fundraising, outreach, etc.

The Symphony Nova Scotia Music Director may not concurrently hold the post of Music Director or Principal Conductor of another Canadian orchestra .

The Music Director has the right to accept guest conducting engagements with other orchestras if they do not unreasonably interfere with Symphony Nova Scotia concerts and programs.

The Music Director agrees that scheduling priority will be given to the performance needs of Symphony Nova Scotia and agrees to collaborate on scheduling requirements if they also hold the post of Music Director of an orchestra outside of Canada.

Symphony Nova Scotia is committed to fostering a respectful workplace that supports professional and collegial working relationships, honest and considerate communication, and an accessible and inclusive environment.

Symphony Nova Scotia encourages applications from Indigenous persons, persons of Black / African descent, and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, and persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community .

ABOUT SYMPHONY NOVA SCOTIA

Symphony Nova Scotia is Nova Scotia’s orchestra. With a home base in Halifax / K’jipuktuk and performances across the province, the Symphony is proud to be a vibrant, vital part of Nova Scotia’s rich cultural community .

Under the inspirational leadership of Music Director Holly Mathieson, Symphony Nova Scotia creates unforgettable experiences with truly great music from mainstage orchestral concerts to free family events, youth and seniors’ activities, and educational partnerships in our community.

We present historically-informed baroque and classical, pop, rock, folk, reggae, and Indigenous music, plus a variety of exciting artists including Renée Fleming, Sara Davis Buechner, Natalie MacMaster, Jah’Mila, Alan Syliboy and the Thundermakers, and our own gifted soloists.

Symphony Nova Scotia has become known for its Fusion Sessions , Pjila’si Sessions , and the groundbreaking Maria Anna Mozart Award .

The Symphony enjoys a loyal and passionate audience base and partners with The Atlantic Federation of Musicians, CFM Local 571, to ensure the best possible package of salary and benefits for its musicians.

We are supported by close collaborations with Julia Wedman, Principal Baroque Leader; Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, Artist in Residence and Community Ambassador;

and Bernhard Gueller, Music Director Laureate. Symphony Nova Scotia’s performances take place in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and traditional territories of the Mi’kmaq.

Read our Strategic Plan here .

ABOUT HALIFAX / K’JIPUKTUK

Halifax is the capital city of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada , an important seaport located on one of the largest and deepest ice-free natural harbours in the world.

It is simultaneously a hotbed of Canadian history and one of Canada’s most exciting communities for tech and innovation combining drive and discovery, technology and talent, curiosity and culture.

Local attractions include the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the Trans Canada Trail, and of course Symphony Nova Scotia.

With a population approaching 500,000, Halifax is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada . It is also steadily diversifying close to 60% of new Haligonians are international, with the majority arriving from countries such as India and China.

The Mi’kmaq are the founding people of Nova Scotia and remain the predominant Indigenous group within the province. The Mi’kmaw nation has existed in what is now Nova Scotia for thousands of years and is made up of thirteen First Nations.

Peoples of African descent are also a vibrant part of Nova Scotia’s past and continue to contribute to the fabric and success of today’s province.

Nova Scotia can be said to be the birthplace of Black culture and heritage in Canada, boasting the largest indigenous Black community in Canada.

Halifax has been on the world and national stage hosting a number of events including the G7 Summit, the Canada Winter Games, the annual Halifax International Security Forum, and the JUNO Awards for Canadian music in 2024.

The city garnered considerable international recognition in the past decade by the award-winning Halifax Central Library, which quickly became a community hub when it opened to the public in 2014.

Halifax Stanfield International Airport conveniently connects to the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, Europe, and the rest of Canada.

How to apply

Those wishing to express interest in this position are required to complete the Expression of Interest Form here outlining their interests, qualifications, and relevant prior experience, as well as their alignment with the mission, vision, and mandate of Symphony Nova Scotia.

The completed form will automatically be received by Eric Mathis at Symphony Nova Scotia once the submit button has been pressed.

After completing the Form, those interested must also submit their resume to Eric Mathis by email ( EricMathis@symphonyns.

ca ) no later than June 7, 2024 .

Providing shareable links (no physical media) to video and / or audio recordings of the interested party’s conducting is highly desirable, if available.

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