The Bellingham Symphony Orchestra is an enthusiastic and thriving community-based orchestra that features an extraordinary level of talent in its ~80 players, and attracts soloists of international stature such as Gil Shaham, Jennifer Koh, Anthony McGill, and James Ehnes. It is financially stable, with healthy reserves and an annual operating budget of approximately $700,000. The BSO is the resident orchestra of the historic Mount Baker Theatre in Bellingham, WA.
Bellingham is located between the Vancouver B.C. and Seattle metropolitan areas, nestled on the shores of Puget Sound and in the shadow of majestic Mount Baker (Kulshan). It offers a rich variety of recreational, cultural, and educational activities, as well as natural beauty and exceptional schools. Bellingham regularly tops lists of “Best Places to Live,” and is ranked the second best arts community in the country (based on the number of active arts businesses per capita).
The current season is the 49th for the orchestra, and the 11th with Yaniv Attar as Music Director. Juilliard-trained, Attar is beloved by audiences and players alike for his engaging podium style and programming that honors the classical canon while celebrating contemporary works and commissioned pieces. The 2024-25 season also features the tenth year of the Harmony from Discord program, honoring the works of those who composed in the face of oppression, and celebrating the power of music to overcome adversity. The BSO’s Youth and Community Engagement program, including the Bellingham Youth Chamber Players, extends outside of the concert hall and into local schools and the broader community. We have a great team that is enthusiastic about sharing fine orchestral music with our community. We strive to put forth high quality work with innovative strategies. The mission of the Symphony is, “The BSO engages, connects, and uplifts our community by performing powerful, beautiful, and inspiring music.” For more information on the orchestra's Mission, Vision, DEI statement, and history, please visit www.bellinghamsymphony.org/about-us-home.
The BSO Chorus is a high level volunteer based auditioned mixed voice choir that performs alongside our full symphony orchestra and will be a special addition to the orchestra as we celebrate our 50th season in 2025-2026. The 50th season will showcase the chorus in multiple classical masterworks concerts.
BSO Choir Director
BSO has a Music Director that conducts our orchestra and seeks a Choir Director for the BSO Chorus. The BSO Choir Director will prepare the chorus for concerts that include chorus with orchestra and occasionally might be asked to conduct a work at the concert or concert with prior negotiations and a separate stipend.
The choir rehearses in Bellingham on selected dates between mid August and June, and is driven by the repertoire requirements. The successful applicant will be expected to conduct all rehearsals. The Choir Director will be responsible for coordinating rehearsals so that the choir is artistically prepared for concert week with the orchestra. Sessions are not to exceed 10 per concert cycle without prior approval from the Executive Director for budgeting purposes.
Repertoire suggestions are sought every year in collaboration with the BSO Music Director, Executive Director, and Artistic Planning Committee, which meets annually. The Choir Director is invited to contribute actively to repertoire selection, including advice to the Artistic Planning Committee on such matters as balancing technical difficulty with aspirations, audience expectations, budget, and current resources.
The BSO Chorus has section leaders that receive a stipend for their services, which include coordinating and communicating with their sections.
Position is in Bellingham, WA with work done at various venues (including the Mount Baker Theatre), and at the BSO Office (316 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA).
Hours for rehearsals and concerts are typically in the evenings and on weekends.
Applications are open now, will remain open until filled, but priority will be given to submissions as they come in.
An anticipated stipend of $300-$500 depending on experience will be paid for each service, including rehearsals and concert dates with the orchestra when the Choir Director is present but not conducting. This is so that the Choir Director can be present at concerts to be recognized for their work and to socialize with donors at the post concert reception. The Choir Director will be paid a service for choir audition days. When the Choir Director is conducting a work at a concert, an additional fee will be paid for the concert commensurate with the work being performed.
Please submit a resume, cover letter, two short videos demonstrating your choral conducting abilities (5 minutes or less each), and three references to jobs@bellinghamsymphony.org. Application review and interviews are scheduled on an ongoing basis. The Bellingham Symphony Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer.
