Artistic Director, Concert Band

Dear Prospective Applicant,

 

On behalf of the San Francisco Pride Band (SF Pride Band or Band), thank you for looking into our job opening for Artistic Director, Concert Band. If you are not familiar with the Band, please take a minute to peruse our website at www.sfprideband.org to learn more about our organization and activities. You are welcome to come to a pep, marching, or concert performance (our next community concert is on March 2, 2025). Please contact our Search Task Force ([email protected]) if you have questions about our organization or the position.

 

The SF Pride Band is a very active volunteer-based organization with a membership of 150+ musicians, although only a portion of those members participate in any individual event. Approximately 60-80 members perform in a typical concert band set. Our diverse Band membership encompasses many orientations and identities, ages, and levels of prior musical experience. However, there are three ideals that all of our Band members share:

• A commitment to excellence in performing music for the public,
• A desire to experience enjoyable and educational rehearsals and performances that will continually improve their musicianship, and
• A commitment to social justice, which is a statement this organization makes every time it steps out on a stage or street corner just by virtue of our name and identity.

 

If you believe that you would be a good fit for the organization, please review the Job Announcement below. We welcome applications from all interested individuals. Applications will be accepted until March 7, 2025. 

 

Thank you for your interest in this position.

 

Chris Hewes, President

Board of Directors

San Francisco Pride Band

 

 

Application Process

 

Below is a summary of the application process.  The process may change depending on the outcomes from each step. Our goal is for the selected candidate to start in January 2026. 

 

1) Application Submission - Submit to [email protected] by March 7, 2025. Applications for this position must include the following:

• A music resume (documentation of your volunteer or work history related to musical performance, teaching, and conducting)
• Completed Applicant Questionnaire, located below.
• A video of yourself conducting, preferably in front of a band, music ensemble, or symphonic group. We will only review up to five minutes of video; if your video is longer than five minutes, please indicate the time range you’d like us to review. Please include a web link to this video or use this Google Form to upload your video: https://forms.gle/5jiyd5zkMWQsR41w5.

 

2) Interview - Selected applicants will participate in a 60-minute interview with the Search Task Force.  The Search Task Force is composed of both Board members and Band members-at-large.  Interviews will be conducted mid-March to mid-April 2025.

 

3) Sample Rehearsal - Up to three applicants interviewed will be selected to lead the band in rehearsal.  These will occur mid-April to May 2025.  The rehearsal will include:

• 45 minutes for sight-reading, working to improve performance, and a final read through
• A short interview in front of the band (questions provided ahead of time). 

 

4) Mini Concert - Up to two applicants will be selected to prepare a mini-concert.  The concert will include approximately six 2-2.5 hr rehearsals, followed by a 45-minute concert.  Applicants will have an opportunity to select music, rehearse the band, and deliver a concert.  These will occur between July and September 2025.  Applicants will be compensated $2,500 for this service.

 

 

Job Announcement

 

Artistic Director, Concert Band

 

About the San Francisco Pride Band

 

Named the “Official Band of San Francisco”, the San Francisco Pride Band (SF Pride Band or Band) is the first openly gay musical organization in the world, inspiring the formation of gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender/intersex/questioning/queer bands, choruses, and performing groups around the globe. Founded in 1978 by Jon Sims at the height of Anita Bryant’s anti-gay crusade, the Band has made music to build understanding between LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ communities for more than 45 years. SF Pride Band is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in San Francisco, California. 

 

The San Francisco Pride Band has three components to its music program:

1. Concert Band, which rehearses Tuesday nights 7:30-10pm year round. The Band typically performs four major concerts each year consisting of 2 Community Concerts in September and March, a Spotlight fundraiser in May/June, and Dance-Along Nutcracker (4 shows in one weekend) in December.
2. Marching Band, which rehearses at least one weekend a month. The band marches in three to four large parades and several smaller parades each year.
3. Pep Band, which rehearses monthly on the third Thursday. The band plays 15-25 times per year at various community/civic functions such as the Trans March, AIDS Walk, and Pride events all around California. 

 

These three programs run all year long concurrently.  Many of the musicians play in all 3 groups.  The Artistic Director, Concert Band shall coordinate and collaborate with the leadership of the other two groups on musical development, calendaring events, and fulfillment of the Band’s mission.

 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, CONCERT BAND

 

The Artistic Director, Concert Band (Artistic Director) reports directly to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the fulfillment of the concert band’s artistic potential. The Artistic Director is responsible for the repertoire and programming for artistic production, and has ultimate authority for the selection, development, and (if necessary) replacement of musicians. As an artistic leader of the band, they must build and sustain the band’s visibility and involvement in LGBTQ+and allied communities. They promote a positive overall public image of the Band in the community and beyond. The Artistic Director works closely with the board president in carrying out these responsibilities.

 

This role includes conducting four concerts per year (with the Dance-Along Nutcracker consisting of one concert performed up to four times in one weekend) and leading approximately 38 rehearsals per year (9-10 per set). The Artistic Director, Concert Band also prepares a short report and attends most monthly Board meetings. This averages to approximately 6 hours per week over the course of a year. Board Members and volunteers typically organize the majority of concert logistics based on the artistic vision set out by the Artistic Director.

 

Responsibilities

 

Musical Leadership

• Plan and execute concert programs for the public, including selecting music, rehearsing the band, conducting, and engaging with the audience.
• Develop the overall musical skills and quality of the Band, including practicing and performance readiness techniques.
• Work with the Board of Directors and Artistic Advisory Committee to plan the year for Community Concerts, Spotlight fundraiser, and Dance-Along Nutcracker.
• Report to the Board with regular monthly updates. Attend Board meetings as requested.
• Collaborate with the Band leadership including the Board President and Vice-President, Marching/Pep leadership, Events Coordinator, Librarians, Production Manager, and Section Managers.
• Encourage, support, and supervise the work of Assistant Conductors.
• Stay up-to-date with trends and cultural shifts in the arts sector (e.g. new styles, BIPOC/queer/other minority composers, etc.)

• Articulate creative concepts to both artistic and non-artistic audiences.

• Align artistic vision with the organization’s mission and goals.

Community Representation

• Assist in the general promotion of the Band by being available for public appearances for ticket campaigns and fundraising.
• Collaborate with other LGBTQ+ musical groups in joint performances.

 

Required Qualifications/Skills

 

• Formal training or relevant, demonstrable experience in music conducting.
• Highly developed skills in clear conducting patterns, cueing, expressive gestures, and precision.
• At least two years experience leading adult music groups with concert band repertoire.
• Highly developed skills to manage rehearsal time, including appropriate division between full group, section, and providing musical guidance.
• Some experience working with section leaders to develop skills and ensure appropriate part assignment.
• Extensive experience with a concert band membership that includes musicians of varying backgrounds and skills.
• Moderate experience developing symphonic concert programming.
• Some experience developing pops concert programming.
• Some experience collaborating with operational Boards of Directors.
• Thorough knowledge of a diverse set of concert band repertoire. 
• Strong ability to motivate and elicit the best efforts of band musicians.
• Strong ability to facilitate conflict resolution in a respectful manner. 
• Strong ability to positively support various sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.
• Strong ability to bring a positive and kind personality while working with diverse skill sets and personalities.

 

Desired Qualifications/Skills

 

• Degree in music with an emphasis in conducting.
• Extensive experience leading Symphonic Bands.
• Some experience music-directing live theater shows that include dialogue, skits, and musical numbers.
• Some experience with at least one Symphonic Band instrument.

 

Please apply even if you don’t meet every bullet point above - we are open to candidates with diverse experiences and from non-traditional backgrounds as long as they can demonstrate the skills necessary to lead our group.

 

COMPENSATION

This is a part-time, independent contractor position (6 hours per week, on average) paid in regular intervals throughout the calendar year. The anticipated range is $16,000 - $22,000 per year, commensurate with experience.  

 

APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE

 

Please answer the following questions on a separate document from the resume (no more than a paragraph or two per question).

 

1. Describe your approach to developing a symphonic concert band program. 
2. Describe your approach to rehearsing a group of adult musicians of varying backgrounds and skills. 
3. As a visible leader of an LGBTQ+ organization, how would you positively support various sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions?
4. Optional - Do you have any other skills and abilities you feel are relevant to the position?