Youth Orchestra Conductor

Upbeat New Hampshire (Upbeat) seeks a Youth Orchestra Conductor for our 2025-26 academic year starting with the planning phase in August, 2025.

Upbeat is an intensive instrumental ensemble-based program serving the Greater Nashua area with about 200 students currently enrolled. Upbeat operates independently but in collaboration with the Nashua School District and as a fiscal agency of United Way of Greater Nashua. The program has several different levels of string ensembles staffed by a superb roster of teaching artists. The most advanced ensemble is the Youth Orchestra which includes strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion.

Upbeat teaches students that anyone can become successful in life by learning how to work with each other, by developing self-discipline in practice and instruction, and developing high expectations. Upbeat believes that these opportunities facilitate economic and social mobility for all, regardless of the neighborhood they live in.

The Youth Orchestra conductor is responsible for the music preparation of Upbeat’s Youth Orchestra program. The conductor will make music selections in collaboration with the Executive Director and one Wind Ensemble conductor.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished musician with significant conducting experience. The candidate will have a deep desire to nurture students through music, and will have a strong collaborative spirit. The individual will be invested in Upbeat’s vision to promote social and emotional transformation through music. The candidate will be working with a diverse, multi-lingual community at times.

The ideal candidate is:

• A valued ambassador for Upbeat in the community and beyond.
• Able to creatively collaborate with our teaching artists.
• An individual who will inspire and mentor our students and can actively connect with them.
• Committed to the El Sistema philosophy.
• Seeks to raise the bar for our program musically and programmatically.
• Committed to the families of our students.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as the principal conductor for the Upbeat Youth Orchestra.
• Lead and conduct weekly (Monday night) rehearsals for the orchestra.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director and Wind Ensemble Director, select repertoire for the Upbeat Youth Orchestra.
• Help develop Upbeat’s future plans.
• Speak on behalf of the organization at concerts.
• Foster partnerships with other arts communities subject to prior approval from Upbeat’s Advisory Board.

While designated as a part-time position (around 4 hours/week), Upbeat will make this position work for the right candidate with respect to job title and salary. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and video representing your qualifications to [email protected].