Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra Manager & Community Assistant

TSYO Manager and Community Assistant (Education & Community Education 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 50 seasons, the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO) has been dedicated to providing a high-level orchestral experience for talented young musicians aged 22 and under. The tuition-free TSYO program delivers a unique, powerful, and life-enriching opportunity that encourages significant achievement, regardless of the career path participants choose to pursue. The TSYO has a close affiliation with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO): TSO musicians serve as coaches through the season, TSO guest artists lead masterclasses for TSYO members, and the TSYO performs annually with the TSO in a side-by-side concert at Roy Thomson Hall.

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

Reports To: Senior Director, Education & Community Engagement

Status: Permanent Full Time

Salary Range: $50,000 to $65,000

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for managing all aspects of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO) program, including rehearsals, concerts, concerto competition, masterclasses, Camp Weekend, special projects, and the Tuned for Tomorrow workshop series. The TSYO Manager works closely with the TSYO Conductor and TSYO Coaches to plan and support the artistic and developmental growth of 80+ young musicians under the age of 22 during their time in the TSYO. Successful candidate must hold a valid vulnerable sector screening check or is willing to successfully complete the VSS check as part of the requirements for this position.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists in the planning, monitoring, and delivery of the Education & Community Engagement department’s activities with a focus on supporting community programming and partnerships.
• Manages communications with TSYO musicians, staff, coaches, including sending weekly emails with pertinent information to the orchestra and providing regular updates to staff and coaches.
• Manages long-term planning for TSYO, including overseeing TSYO Conductor and Coach succession planning and program development.
• Manages the TSYO’s “Tuned for Tomorrow” program, a new monthly workshop series that provides TSYO musicians with non-performance based skills development in the areas of community musicianship, health and wellness, and artist entrepreneurship.
• Coordinates all TSYO concerts and performances by booking rehearsal spaces, supervising rehearsals, preparing music, and booking concert venues.
• Manages all aspects of the TSYO program including concerts, rehearsals, auditions, concerto competition, workshops, masterclasses, camp weekend, run-out performances, and tours/exchanges. (In May/June 2024, this will include the TSYO’s exchange with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra in recognition of TSYO’s 50th anniversary.)

Additional scope of responsibility:

• Works cross-departmentally to share information about current and future TSYO plans with Development, Marketing, and Communications teams for donor stewardship, funding proposals, media requests, promotional materials, and concert programs.
• Communicates with TSYO alumni to inform and provide re-engagement opportunities with the TSYO and TSO.
• Makes decisions about all aspects of the TSYO program, including the musician experience, artistic considerations, and social learning based on ongoing consultation with TSYO members, Coaches, and Conductor, and stays abreast of industry trends and best practices.
• Develops and manages skills growth opportunities for TSYO members including the TSYO-led Marketing, DEI, and Sweater Committees, identifying additional performance opportunities, and incorporating inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility principles into the TSYO program.
• Works closely with and meets regularly with the TSYO Conductor and Coaches to plan and program TSYO concerts and activities.
• Establishes and enforces expectations for TSYO musicians around artistic, scheduling, attendance, and social media responsibilities.
• Provides support for community engagement activities and to the Education & Community Engagement team on projects, as assigned by the Senior Director of Education & Community Engagement.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Ability to work in a fast paced team environment and respond calmly to challenging situations.
• Strong organizational and computer skills, including G-Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc).
• Minimum of 2 years experience in orchestra administration, or a closely related field
• Self-motivated individual with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A valid vulnerable sector screening check or willingness to complete one is required for this position.
• Experience working with youth and/or young emerging artists.
• Possesses sound judgment and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Significant background or training in music is essential. Knowledge of orchestral music is an asset.

How to Apply:

Please email your cover letter and resumé to Esther Lee, Director of Human Resources, at [email protected] by 9 am on Monday, October 2nd, 2023.

While the TSO thanks all applicants for their interest. Those applicants selected for the preliminary telephone screener, will be contacted on Monday, Oct 2nd, as screeners will be held on Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023 with Human Resources.

Round One interviews will be conducted via Zoom on Wednesday, October 4 and Thursday, October 5.

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 Education & Community Engagement Team works in a fast paced, dynamic and collegial work environment.

Flexibility in working hours is required for this position including a combination of regular weekday office hours in addition to Saturday rehearsals, and occasional Sundays and evenings based on the TSYO and TSO schedule of rehearsals, concerts, and other activities. The TSYO season typically runs from early September through to late April/early May.

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.