Description
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Assistant Conductor Auditions
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO) announces an opening for a one-year position as Assistant Conductor. The successful candidate will assist the FWSO Music Director and serve as cover conductor for the Music Director, Pops conductors, and guest conductors for all orchestra services. The Assistant Conductor will lead education, family, and community concerts in addition to other conducting and administrative duties as specified by the Music Director and Artistic Operations department. Candidates must possess meaningful orchestral conducting experience, a broad knowledge of orchestral repertoire and concert programming, be fluent in English, and demonstrate an ability to deliver remarks (memorized or on the sport) to audiences. The successful candidate must be willing to relocate to the Dallas/Fort Worth area and be eligible to work in the U.S.
About the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra under Music Director Robert Spano is deeply committed to uniting its community through presenting over 120 performance, education, and outreach concerts, reaching an audience of more than 150,000 annually. Since its beginnings in 1912, the FWSO has been an essential thread in the city’s cultural fabric and the very foundation of Fort Worth’s performing arts. The FWSO has performed at Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of SHIFT: A Festival of American Orchestras. The FWSO has released 13 recordings – with several being world premiere releases – garnering international acclaim. The FWSO has embraced creative collaborations through residencies, partnerships, and commissions. As the principal resident company of the acoustically superb Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall, the Orchestra performs a full season of concerts featuring internationally acclaimed guest artists and works by living composers. The Orchestra performs and partners with Jake Heggie, Texas Ballet Theater, Atlanta-based glo, Fort Worth Opera, The Cliburn, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, The Old Trout Puppet Workshop, and Performing Arts Fort Worth. The FWSO keeps exceptional musical experiences at the heart of its community.
Responsibilities
Assist and provide support to Music Director and all guest conductors
Serve as cover conductor for the Music Director, Pops conductors and guest conductors for all services. This includes personal preparation of all scores and providing written and verbal feedback on artistic matters relating to repertory (balance, intonation, dynamics, ensemble issues, etc). Attendance at all rehearsals and concerts of music director.
Lead education, family and community concerts in addition to other conducting and administrative duties as specified by the Music Director
Collaborate with the Music Director, VP of Operations and Education department in programming of education and community concerts.
Conduct FWSO Education, community and other concerts as assigned
Participate on Education Committee on behalf of the Music Director to develop strategic educational programming.
Other duties as assigned
Compensationc
- Salary commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Conducting assignments will be commensurate with experience.
- Appointment will be for one year.
Application procedure
FWSO will be using YAP Tracker for our Assistant Conductor applications. The application can be found here:
https://www.yaptracker.com/applications/fort-worth-symphony-orchestra-2026
Individuals should submit a cover letter, current resume, two letters of recommendation, and contact information for three professional references. Candidates are also required to submit video samples (15 minutes maximum total duration) demonstrating their recent work. This should include (at the minimum) two contrasting repertoire styles. Video should be shot at close range of the conductor, taken from orchestra's vantage point, facing the FRONT of the conductor, of either a rehearsal or performance with full symphonic or large chamber orchestral ensemble. Videos must be sent electronically with links and dates of capture (Youtube, Vimeo, etc.).
ALL MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2025
Audition procedure
Initial applicants will be notified by December 1, 2025, if they have been selected as a finalist. Finalists will interview with FWSO Administration on Monday, January 5, 2026 and conduct the FWSO on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Travel, accommodations, meals, and all related expenses are the sole responsibility of each candidate
Requirements
Job Requirements
- Extensive training and experience in orchestral conducting
- Broad knowledge of symphonic repertoire and concert programming
- Exceptional oral communication skills
- Exceptional organizational skills and time management ability
