New Music Coordinator Jobs

New Music Coordinator (Artistic Department)

One of Canada’s most respected arts organizations, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has played a vital role in the city’s cultural life for 100 years. Current Music Director Gustavo Gimeno brings an expansive artistic vision, intellectual curiosity, and sense of adventure to programming the 93-musician Orchestra. This season, through Centennial commissions from emerging composers, marquee events, and an incredible lineup of world-renowned guest artists, the TSO continues to celebrate a century of music-making, paying homage to the Orchestra’s illustrious past while ushering in a dynamic future.

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Mark Williams, the TSO is committed to serving local and national communities through vibrant performances, extensive educational activities, and community-access and wellness initiatives intended to reach more age groups, people with different abilities, and diverse communities in Toronto. Some of these include open houses and free concerts at the TSO’s home, Roy Thomson Hall; Relaxed Performances designed to welcome neurodiverse patrons; and a partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health that supports First Nations, Inuit, and Métis patients through musical storytelling and composition.

With a notable recording history—including, most recently, five acclaimed recordings on the prestigious Chandos label—complementing international touring engagements in the US, Europe, Israel, and Asia, the TSO is a musical ambassador for Canada and remains synonymous with musical versatility, growth, and artistic distinction.

For more information on the TSO’s important work, visit TSO.CA

Reports To: Associate Vice President, Artistic Administration

Status: Permanent Part Time (averaging 20 hours per week)

Hourly Pay Rate - range: $24.00 to $28.00 per hour depending on previous work experience

Weekly Schedule - work hours will average twenty (20) hours per week, and this will vary week to week, depending on what new music, and chamber music activities are taking place.

Position Summary:

• Manages all logistical and contractual aspects of the TSO’s contemporary music initiatives and the TSO Chamber Soloists series.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

New Music:

• Manages the TSO’s commissioning budget including fee installments, copying costs, travel expenses, etc. and new project offers/plans.
• Maintains a database of Canadian and international composers of interest to TSO programming, including those that speak to the TSO’s DEI priorities.
• Ensures adherence to contractual deadlines for commissions in a sensitive manner that supports both the composer and TSO.
• Prepares and processes all paperwork associated with TSO commissions (contracts, payment requisitions, etc.)
• Facilitates regular New Music meetings with the TSO’s Composer Advisor and programming team.
• Liaises with potential new music partners (e.g., University of Toronto) to facilitate masterclasses, panel discussions, etc. for visiting composers.
• Acts as the primary contact for the TSO’s Affiliate Composer, NextGen Composers, and any composers associated with seasonal compositional initiatives (e.g., Celebration Preludes), and ensures that all mentorship activities are well organized and appropriate for participants.

TSO Chamber Soloists (TSOCS)

• Helps to source contemporary and obscure chamber music for performances.
• In conjunction with VP Artistic Planning, works with TSO Concertmaster Jonathan Crow to confirm details pertaining to the TSO Chamber Soloists series.
• Manages TSOCS budget.
• Works cross-departmentally on communications regarding the series and additional performance requests.
• Prepares and processes all paperwork associated with TSOCS personnel.

General Administration:

• Assists the Artistic Administration Manager with artist servicing for visiting composers and guest artists participating in chamber music, as required.
• Serves in concert duty rotation, primarily for new music and chamber music programs.
• Proofreads TSO materials pertaining to contemporary and/or chamber music, such as press releases, house programs and season brochures, as required.

Additional scope of responsibility:

Leadership:

• Proactively anticipates potential delays/roadblocks and proposes viable solutions.
• Leads acquisition efforts for TSOCS music when not sourced by the TSO library.
• Directs the flow of information from composers/publishers to appropriate departments, and from TSO stakeholders to composers/publishers.
• Leads departmental new music meetings.
• Manages cross-departmentally and upwards to ensure timely and accurate task completion.

Assistance:

• Assists the VP of Artistic Planning and the New Music team with the development and execution of new commissions and co-commission projects.
• Assists the Associate VP, Artistic Administration, with OPAS maintenance of contemporary music content and chamber soloists’ services.
• Assists VP of Artistic Planning and TSO Concertmaster with internal and external administration of the TSO Chamber Soloists series.

Support:

• Supports concert execution through Artistic concert duty rotation.
• Provides administrative support for TSO’s Affiliate Composer, TSO NextGens, and the Explore the Score orchestral reading sessions.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills.
• University Degree at Bachelor level, or equivalent. Background and training in orchestral music essential.
• Computer proficiency (Google Workspace); experience with OPAS (Orchestra Planning and Administration System) an asset.
• Creative problem solving skills and demonstrated ability to “think outside the box”.
• Strong project management and organizational skills allowing successful execution of multiple projects on different timelines.
• Proven reliability, emotional intelligence, and discretion with confidential matters.
• Passion for both contemporary orchestral music and instrumental chamber music desired.

How to Apply:

Please email your cover letter and resumé to Esther Lee, Director of Human Resources, at [email protected] by 5 pm on Wednesday, August 9th, 2023. While the TSO thanks all applicants for their interest, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Round one interviews will be scheduled on Tuesday, August 22nd and Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023.

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of the City of Toronto and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.

The TSO is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require accommodation, the TSO will work with you to meet your needs.

TSO’s Artistic Team works in a fast paced, dynamic and collegial work environment; there will be the need for occasional evening/weekend work to serve in rehearsal/concert duty rotation (shared amongst Artistic, Education and Operations staff).

The TSO requires all employees to provide proof of fully-vaccinated status, with vaccines approved by Health Canada. A person is considered fully-vaccinated if they have completed the required regime for a COVID-19 vaccine and 14 days have passed since their final dose.