MUSIC DIRECTOR SEARCH

POSTED JANUARY 28, 2026

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PENINSULA SYMPHONY

MUSIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR

(Peninsula Symphony Association of Northern California)

Peninsula Symphony seeks its next Music Director and Conductor following the impending retirement of its current (and second) Music Director, Mitchell Sardou Klein. Maestro Klein has held the podium at Peninsula Symphony since 1985, expanding its concert and outreach offerings to the Bay Area Peninsula and increasing its musicianship and dedication of its volunteer musicians while connecting growing audiences to the organization locally across generations. Upon successful completion of the search for the next Music Director, Maestro Klein will become Music Director Laureate, serving as an advisor and conducting at least one concert per year.

POSITION START DATE: July 1, 2027

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 9, 2026

Key Attributes We Seek:

  • Artistic leadership

  • Musical excellence

  • Communication skills

  • Commitment to community

  • Collaborative leadership style

Peninsula Symphony performs approximately twelve full orchestra concerts per season:

  • Subscription series: 8 concerts (4 sets) in San Mateo & Campbell

  • Annual collaboration with Stanford Symphonic Chorus: 2 concerts (1 set)

  • Outdoor Summer Concert: 1 (Los Altos)

  • Annual Family Concert (conducted by the Assistant Conductor): 1 (San Bruno)

  • There are approximately 55-60 services per season, including weekly Tuesday night rehearsals (San Bruno) and Thursday dress rehearsals prior to concerts.

Mainstage performances feature guest appearances from nationally and internationally renowned artists. Recent artists include: Jon Nakamatsu, Canadian Brass, Jon Kimura Parker, Anthony McGill, Jennifer Frautschi, Joyce Yang, Taylor Eigsti, and Lara Downes, as well as rising young artists – the annual winner of the Irving M. Klein International String Competition.

What We Offer:

  • Enthusiastic, dedicated musicians

  • Engaged and supportive board

  • Skilled, experienced staff

  • Strong audience base

  • Financial stability through endowment

  • Opportunities to shape artistic direction for decades


HISTORY & MISSION

Founded in 1949 and now in its 77th Season, Peninsula Symphony is the premier orchestral ensemble between San Francisco and San Jose. Under the direction of Mitchell Sardou Klein, whose final (and 42nd) season will be 2026-2027, Peninsula Symphony comprises 90 professionally trained musicians who are members of the local community. The organization’s mission is to “enrich the lives of people in our community with inspiring, innovative, high-quality musical presentations at affordable prices, and to promote music education through engaging programs for children and adults”. Orchestra members have demonstrated great dedication and longevity in their service to the organization.

OUTREACH PROGRAM

Peninsula Symphony’s Bridges to Music educational outreach program offers in-school assemblies that bring musicians and ensembles into title I elementary schools in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Outreach programs also include:

  • Special Bridges to Music - a particularly unique program founded and directed by PSO volunteers who bring interactive music instruction to students with special needs at multiple schools in Redwood City.

  • Two youth competitions each year – the Marilyn Mindell Piano Competition and the Young Musicians’ Competition (for instrumentalists besides piano). Winners perform with PSO at the Family Concert and Summer Concert, respectively.

ORGANIZATION

  • Budget of approximately $800,000 per year

  • Endowment and reserves ~$4M+

  • PSO is governed by a 15-member board of directors who meet 4-5 times per year

  • Staff members include an Executive Director, a Director of Marketing & Digital Content, an Operations & Outreach Manager, an Assistant Conductor, a Box Office & Administrative Assistant, and beginning July 1, 2027, Music Director Laureate.

  • Office located in Los Altos, CA

  • Many dedicated volunteers

For more information, please visit www.peninsulasymphony.org. PSO performances are accessible at www.peninsulasymphony.org/digital-stage.

POSITION

The position requires a significant year-round commitment including rehearsals, concerts, planning meetings, auditions, and community engagement.

  • The Music Director and Conductor position is exempt.

  • Reports to the Board of Directors / Board Chair(s).

  • PSO is an equal opportunity employer.

DUTIES

The Music Director is responsible for the artistic aspects of the operations of the orchestra, subject to the overall authority of the Board of Directors and related Board committees. Duties are to:

  1. Plan and determine the Orchestra’s concert seasons, schedule and repertoire in conjunction with the Artistic Committee, chaired by the Music Director. This includes determining suitable guest artists to perform at each concert in conjunction with the Executive Director, Director of Marketing, and Artistic and Marketing Committees.

  2. Attend quarterly full board meetings, and committee meetings as appropriate.

  3. Select, audition, and provide artistic leadership to orchestra musicians, in accordance with PSO policies and in collaboration with the Executive Director and appropriate committees. Also:

    1. Determine the principal players and seating position of each musician in each instrument section;

    2. Recruit (with Executive Director) and supervise any professional musicians (approximately 5-7 per set) needed to support the Orchestra’s performances;

    3. Audition, supervise, and provide musical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to any Assistant Conductor(s) or other musical assistants.

  4. The Music Director is expected to serve as a visible artistic ambassador for Peninsula Symphony within the broader Bay Area cultural community, and assist with fundraising events and in the general promotion of the Orchestra with media and related events as appropriate.

  5. Working with the Executive Director, assist in developing financial budgets by identifying Artistic Program expenses for current and future seasons.

  6. Collaborate with staff and musicians to support the Symphony’s Bridges to Music outreach programs, including participation in educational events and advocacy for music education in the community.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

  • Extensive background and training in orchestral conducting

  • Demonstrated experience conducting symphony orchestras with strong organizational and rehearsal management skills

  • Interest in music education, community engagement, and donor development

  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with boards, staff, and volunteers

  • Residence in the San Francisco Bay Area is essential in order to support regular rehearsals, musician engagement, community presence, and collaborative planning

  • Excellent musicianship

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

COMPENSATION

$65,000 - $80,000. Benefits include health, dental, 401k and company match.

INTERVIEWS

We anticipate in-person interviews between March and May 2026. Zoom may be considered as needed.

FINALIST ROUND

Three candidates will be chosen to conduct one concert set each during our 78th season (2026-2027), after which the next Music Director will be chosen (in the Spring of 2027). Candidates must be available to conduct one subscription candidacy concert set during the 2026-2027 season (for which they will be compensated).

TO APPLY:

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