Assistant Conductor & RPYO Music Director

Reports To:

Music Director + VP Artistic Planning & Operations + VP of Education

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (NY) seeks a talented and dynamic Assistant Conductor to lead a variety of conducting duties, to be an advocate and ambassador of the orchestra’s mission, and to build and foster community relationships. This is a one-season appointment, with the potential for renewal.

• Music Director of Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
• Family and education concerts
• Community concerts
• Summer season concerts
• Holiday programs
• Cover conductor assignments as made by the RPO’s music director
• Possible pops, movies, special concert events
• Design exciting concert programs that are appropriate for the audiences in which they serve.
• Deliver confident and engaging public talks, pre-concert chats, and introductory remarks from stage.
• Be a powerful advocate and ambassador for the RPO in interactions with board members, donors, sponsors, and other constituencies in private and public settings.
• Participate in active recruitment for the youth orchestra.
• Build, foster, and nurture community relationships and partnerships.
• Provide artistic support to the Music Director, Principal Pops Conductor, and guest conductors as needed.

• Candidates must have meaningful orchestral conducting experience in a professional or academic setting and broad knowledge of orchestral repertoire.
• Training from a recognized conducting program; master’s degree in conducting or an Artist’s Diploma preferred.
• Experience in a variety of conducting settings including classical, pops, youth, and community concerts.
• Demonstrated success in programming a variety of repertory and musical styles, with sensitivity to budgetary considerations.
• Interest and champion of diverse repertoire, including living composers.
• Strong commitment to music education.
• Public speaking experience.
• The assistant conductor will be available for the majority of the orchestra’s 38-week season and reside in the Rochester, NY metropolitan area.

Review of applications will be overseen by an audition committee comprised of RPO conductors, musicians, and administrative staff. The committee will recommend finalists to attend in-person auditions, who we expect to notify in early March 2026.

Auditions will take place on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Rochester, NY.

The RPO will provide an honorarium of $500 to selected conductors to assist in travel & housing costs, as well as extend our reduced hotel rate. Local transportation will be provided.

• Position will begin on a full-time basis at the start of the  Season.
• The RPO offers a high-deductible health insurance plan, with an HRA, to which the RPO contributes funds toward the out‑of‑pocket deductible.
• Voluntary tax‑sheltered annuity 403(b) plan.
• In addition, the RPO provides dental, vision, short term and long‑term disability, life insurance, and a voluntary flexible spending account.

Deadline:
Friday, February 13, 2026 (close of business)

Please submit the following in an email to jbarry, with subject line ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR POSITION:

Preference is for recent concert or rehearsal footage, from orchestra point of view, in a variety of conducting styles demonstrating different styles, tempi, historical periods, and repertoire.

You Tube or Vimeo links only please. If protected, please provide password.

Questions?

Please contact James Barry, Vice President of Artistic Planning & Operations  phone calls, please.

The mission of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is to inspire, educate and engage our community through the art of music. Core values of the RPO include a passionate dedication to outstanding musical performances at the highest artistic levels; a unique tradition of musical versatility, a commitment to music education in its broadest sense; a deep and enduring engagement with the community;

a culture that inspires staff, board, volunteers and musicians…