Assistant Conductor

The Cambridge Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is seeking to hire an Assistant Conductor for its  season. This position is a 10‑month internship with a stipend of $4,000, with the potential for renewal for a second 10‑month season.

The CSO is a high‑level community orchestra of regional standing with a season of six concerts: three masterworks concerts, two Holiday Pops concerts, and a Family concert series (two concerts on the same day). All masterworks concerts are performed at Jordan Hall, NEC; the other concerts are performed around the Cambridge, Arlington, Watertown, and Somerville communities. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings from September through June, with additional rehearsals on concert weeks.

To make great music accessible to diverse audiences and to harness the power of music to forge lasting relationships with our community.

Bachelor’s degree in Music required, along with prior experience conducting a symphonic orchestra.

The Assistant Conductor will learn all repertoire for the CSO season, attend all rehearsals, dress rehearsals and concerts, and be prepared to step in for the Music Director in case of illness. The Assistant Conductor will be a team member in the set‑up and breakdown of rehearsals, may be asked to lead sectionals or one‑on‑one player coachings, will have no administrative duties, and will be expected to communicate promptly by email.

The Assistant Conductor should also be comfortable lifting up to 35 pounds. The Assistant Conductor reports directly to the Music Director and to the Board President.

Paid internship: $4,000 stipend. The Assistant Conductor will have opportunities to conduct two short overture‑length works at smaller concerts, to conduct intermittent podium sessions as time allows, and to receive mentoring from the Music Director throughout the season.

Applications are due August 1, 2026.

Please submit the following:

• A letter of interest stating why you want the position, how it would impact your long‑term goals as a musician, and what you would bring to the table from your previous experience.
• A current CV.
• Three names and contacts (phone and email) of references.
• Two video clips of separate performances (a minimum of 2 minutes each) with the camera on the front. Submit them in a format such as You Tube, not on social media or Google Drive.
• Optional: one video clip of a rehearsal you have led (5–10 minutes in length).

Send your application materials to the CSO via the provided email address.

$4,000.00 per year.

Established in 1975, the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra is a community music organization that provides a welcoming environment for players and audiences through outstanding concerts, events, and social action. The orchestra has over 80 musicians and audiences from Cambridge, Arlington, Somerville, and surrounding communities. Our season includes three masterworks concerts, an annual Family concert, and a free outdoor Pops concert. The full orchestra also performs free outreach concerts for audiences with limited access to live orchestral music, including the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown and the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Roslindale.

Chamber music performed by members of the orchestra is presented in free public concerts at non‑traditional venues and in outreach concerts for audiences with limited access to live music.