Lead Stratus Into Its Next Chapter

Stratus Chamber Orchestra is seeking an exceptional Music Director to lead the orchestra into its next chapter.

We are looking for a conductor who combines outstanding musicianship with curiosity, imagination, collaborative leadership, and a genuine desire to build something meaningful with musicians, audiences, and the broader community.

This is an opportunity for the right person to do more than conduct concerts. We are looking for an artistic leader who will help us answer an important question:

What can the 21st-century concert experience be?

Stratus has a strong foundation and a committed community of musicians and supporters. We want to build on that foundation while exploring new ways to make the chamber orchestra experience compelling, relevant, and memorable for both longtime concertgoers and people who may not yet see themselves as traditional classical-music audiences.

About Stratus

Stratus Chamber Orchestra is a 30-40 piece Denver-area semi-professional orchestra committed to presenting high-quality orchestral performances in an engaging and intimate setting. All musicians have professional training and are paid for their efforts.

Stratus is part of Augustana Arts, a 30 year old organization dedicated to creating a different kind of music experience, one that breaks down barriers, welcomes every audience, and celebrates curiosity over convention.

We believe great performances begin with great musicianship but they don’t end there. We want our concerts to create a sense of connection among musicians, audiences, and the music itself.

As we look ahead, we are thinking intentionally about how Stratus can serve both our traditional audience, those who already love orchestral music, and the curious audience, people who may be interested in classical music but are looking for a different way into the experience.

Our next Music Director will play an important role in shaping that future.

The Music Director position at Stratus Chamber Orchestra, a program of Augustana Arts, entails leading a semi-professional orchestra composed of dedicated musicians striving for the highest standards of excellence in musicianship. The orchestra members bring a diverse range of training and experience, boasting involvement in various professional orchestras, leadership roles within academic and community ensembles, and teaching positions across the Denver Metro area.

Responsibilities of the Music Director include:

1. Collaborate with the Executive Director of Augustana Arts to select innovative programming and conducting an annual season that typically includes four concerts (two in the fall and two in the spring) with 1-2 performances each.

• Build a 3 year programming plan in collaboration with the Executive Director that enables development of repeat ticket buyers and appeals to donor organizations.
• With Executive Director, envision concert season lineup and present draft
• Work with Executive Director to refine season lineup to optimize for ticket sales, donor attraction/retention and fit to the 3 season programming plan

2. Enable growth of Stratus by finding/supporting opportunities for more performances beyond the core season that may involve either the full orchestra or a subset of performers.

3. Demonstrate a passionate and practical vision for how a chamber orchestra can better serve the community through both traditional and non-traditional approaches.

4. Prepare for and lead rehearsals to ensure Stratus Chamber Orchestra continues to offer high-quality concert experiences throughout the concert season.

5. Work as needed in conjunction with the Education and Program Manager and Executive Director to incorporate underrepresented communities, including intentional engagement with youth and adults through strategic and creative programming.

6. Participate in auditions and selection processes for regular and alternate membership with Stratus.

7. Coordinate with the Stratus Personnel Manager to address player needs for each concert and coordinating with the Stratus Production Manager to address logistical concerns of rehearsals and performances.

8. Engage in effective communication and interaction with audiences and the broader community, upholding the goals and mission of Stratus and Augustana Arts.

9. Network with directors of musical groups, guest artists, and fellow musicians to develop collaboration relationships and participation in the local, regional, and global musical community.

10. Working with the Executive Director to develop and adhere to the fiscal year budget for Stratus.

11. Participating in and suggesting marketing initiatives to promote Stratus Chamber Orchestra effectively.

12. Participate in and provide ideas for fundraising activities as needed.

13. May be called upon to perform tasks and responsibilities related to the position of Music Director of Stratus Chamber Orchestra as needed by the organization.