The Boston Chamber Music Society, New England’s preeminent chamber music society, welcomes candidates for the position of Artistic Director to take the helm of this major arts organization. BCMS presents the most extensive and longest-running concert series in the region and is widely recognized for the highest standards of artistic excellence.

Founded in 1982, BCMS’s mission is to provide audiences with exceptional performances of chamber music repertoire from the Baroque era to the present day while fostering understanding and appreciation of the artform.

The Society is distinguished in Boston’s musically fertile region for its enduring performance standards. The ensemble playing of its member musicians demonstrates the perfected combination of control and freedom that comes from years of collaboration that allows individual musical personalities to find expression without dominating. BCMS invites guest musicians, chosen for their particular affinity for, and mastery of, the works they will play, to join the members, thereby expanding the artistic possibilities to virtually all works in the chamber music repertoire.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Artistic Director of Boston Chamber Music Society will be charged with inspiring the highest artistic standards and with leading the organization into the next phase of its artistic development, mission, and vision.

* Complete position description below. * 

Application Procedure

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume by September 1, 2008 to Chairman, Artistic Director Search Committee via e-mail at: info@bostonchambermusic.org; subject line “AD Search”

or via U.S. Mail to:
Boston Chamber Music Society
Attn: Artistic Director Search Committee
60 Gore Street
Cambridge, MA 02141

No phone calls please.

BCMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Artistic Director Position Description

I. ROLE

The Artistic Director is the chief artistic officer of the Boston Chamber Music Society and reports to the Board of Trustees. S/he works closely with the Executive Director to fulfill BCMS’s vision, mission, and programmatic and artistic goals as articulated by the Board, and is expected to lead BCMS’s artistic endeavors with energy and artistic and entrepreneurial vision. His/her primary role is to plan and develop music programming to be performed by BCMS musicians. The Artistic Director also works collaboratively with the Executive Director and Board to implement strategies for BCMS’s audience development and financial support.

II. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Artistic Program Development and Production. The Artistic Director:

• Programs all annual regular season and holiday concerts, run outs and related activities on a projected two-year rolling basis.

• Collaborates with the Executive Director to propose both preliminary and interim annual program budgets for future seasons.

• Consults with the Executive Director on facilities’ requirements for BCMS artistic programs and provides guidance, as appropriate, on securing appropriate performance venues.

• Identifies opportunities for additional performances, consistent with BCMS’s mission and vision.

B. Management. The Artistic Director:

• Hires BCMS ensemble members and guest artists, within Board-approved budgetary guidelines and provides artistic leadership.

• Plans and communicates artistic program requirements to musicians and to concert management so that rehearsals are scheduled and ensemble members are made aware of their responsibilities.

C. Marketing and Communications. The Artistic Director:

• Collaborates with the Executive Director to ensure a high BCMS profile in Greater Boston’s cultural community by cultivating media, other music organizations, educational institutions, and benefactors.

• Plans and communicates artistic programs in sufficient detail so that BCMS’s marketing activities may be designed and executed in a timely and coordinated manner.

• Participates actively in shaping and implementing marketing plans, especially with respect to the media and music communities.

D. Fund Development. The Artistic Director:

• Participates actively in fund development initiatives with benefactors, corporate sponsors, and foundations.

• Plans and communicates the artistic program with a view to ensuring that fundraising activities can be designed and implemented successfully.

E. Board Relationships and Governance Process. The Artistic Director:

• Collaborates with the Board to develop Artistic goals and vision of the BCMS.

• Informs the Board, on an ongoing basis, of new artistic programs or changes to planned programs.

• Attends Board meetings, when possible.

F. Reporting Relationships. The Artistic Director:

• Reports to the Board of Trustees.

• Develops and maintains a mutually supportive relationship with the BCMS Executive Director, who also reports to the Board.

III. PERFORMANCE evaluation

The Artistic Director is evaluated annually according to a range of qualitative and quantitative performance measures agreed upon prior to the beginning of each new program year.