Auditions & Employment Opportunities
The Portland Symphony is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of the organization. We seek to develop a diverse candidate pool and welcome nominations and applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or national origin.
ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS
THERE is one administrative POSITION open at this time
Special Events & House Manager
AUDITIONS
THERE are two upcoming auditions
Administrative Positions
Special Events & House Manager
CLASSIFICATION: Full time, non-exempt
REPORTS TO: Director of Development (Primary supervisor), Director of Marketing
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
The Special Events & House Manager is responsible for the management of logistics for patron engagement events, live and virtual; working as a team player on the Development staff to accomplish the Symphony’s financial goals, overseeing the patron experience at concerts, and leading volunteer efforts that result in a positive and productive relationship between the volunteer and the PSO.
The Special Events & House Manager leads the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s annual fundraising event, Forte, including the solicitation of auction items and leading the Forte committee. This person coordinates a range of in-person and virtual events, including the set-up and break-down of in-person event needs.
The Special Events & House Manager is responsible for creating a welcoming atmosphere at PSO performances, ensuring the experience is as efficient, safe, and overall positive as possible for all patrons. This requires excellent communication skills and the ability to interact effectively in person with donors, patrons, guests and others in the PSO community. This position will work closely with Event and Venue Managers, City Staff, and volunteer usher corps to enforce safety protocols, support patron services, and be the night-of-show representative and voice for the PSO.
The Special Events & House Manager serves as the primary point of contact for volunteers. This person recruits, trains, and manages volunteers, ensuring volunteers are well-prepared and able to perform their roles effectively to support PSO programs and special events. This position maintains accurate records of volunteer participation, including hours worked and training completed.
The Special Events & House Manager works closely with PSO leadership to understand event and volunteer needs. This person handles administrative and logistical tasks for donor events and volunteers.
Attendance at PSO concerts and evening events is required. The PSO staff works both in-person at the office on designated days and at home on remote workdays. A deep understanding of the PSO’s programs and passion for the Symphony’s service to the community is essential.
This is a full-time, non-exempt position, and it offers medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; IRA contribution package; flexible spending and qualified transportation programs, vacation and personal time; and sick leave. Salary range is $50,000-52,000, based on experience.
Position Requirements
- Experience in event management, volunteer management, or development/fundraising is strongly preferred.
- General hours are M-F during business hours. The PSO has a hybrid schedule (days in office + remote). Candidate must be able to attend concerts and events outside of general hours.
- An ideal candidate has a desire to grow in a development office, excellent communication skills, has the ability to think quickly and maintain a sense of humor under pressure, and is eager to assist in the Symphony’s fundraising efforts.
- This position requires work seated at a computer, phone, and email communication, and active attendance at events/concerts (offsite).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office is required. Donor software knowledge is recommended.
- The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office or at events to access file cabinets, office machinery, event setup/breakdown, etc.
- The duties of this position require standing, walking, bending, and ability to lift up to 35 pounds as needed.
- Primary locations of work are at the PSO’s office and Merrill Auditorium. Additional regional travel is required for offsite events and venues.
- Valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and a vehicle are required.
- Smartphone available to support Microsoft office and PSO Phone apps.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. To apply, please email resume and cover letter to lrobertson@portlandsymphony.org. PDFs preferred, .doc format accepted. Please use the subject line: PSO Special Events & House Manager.
Auditions
PSO CHILDREN’S CHORUS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2024
The Portland Symphony Orchestra is seeking talented young treble singers ages 9-16 to perform in the PSO Children’s Chorus for multiple concerts throughout the 2024-25 season.
The PSO Children’s Chorus is an ensemble that gives young singers the opportunity to enhance and showcase their choral/vocal skills as they perform in professional musical settings. Whether it be in longstanding traditions such as The Magic of Christmas or select Classical/Pops concerts throughout the year, the PSO Children’s Chorus has various opportunities to join alongside professional orchestral musicians, professional choirs, internationally renowned vocal soloists, and work under the baton of PSO Conductor and Music Director, Eckart Preu, as they perform at the historic Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine, with the full Portland Symphony Orchestra. For the 2024-2025 season, singers will have opportunities to audition for and perform in the following productions: The Magic of Christmas, La Bohème, and Carmina Burana.
***Please Note: All singers who successfully audition and are selected for the PSO Children’s Chorus will perform in The Magic of Christmas, while smaller groups will be selected for La Bohème and/or Carmina Burana. You will be asked to indicate availability and interest on your audition form. The rehearsal/performance schedules for all three productions are outlined below.
The Magic of Christmas
ALL Children’s Chorus Members
Children’s chorus only rehearsals
Woodfords Congregational Church, Portland, ME
- Saturday, October 19, 2024: 9:30am-12:00pm
- Saturday, October 26, 2024: 9:30am-12:00pm
- Saturday, November 9, 2024: 9:30am-11:00am
- Saturday, November 16, 2024: 9:30am-11:00am
- Saturday, November 23, 2024: 9:30am-11:00am
- Saturday, December 7, 2024: 9:30am-11:00am
Combined children’s/adult chorus rehearsal
Sable Lodge, South Portland, ME
- Wednesday, December 4, 2024: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Combined chorus/orchestra rehearsals
Merrill Auditorium, Portland, ME
- Wednesday, December 11, 2024: 7:00pm-9:00pm (Full Chorus Rehearsal)
- Thursday, December 12, 2024: 6:30pm-9:30pm (Dress Rehearsal with Orchestra)
Performances
Merrill Auditorium, Portland, ME
- Friday, December 13, 2024: 2:00pm-4:30pm
- Friday, December 13, 2024: 7:00pm-9:30pm
- Saturday, December 14, 2024: 2:00pm-4:30pm
- Saturday, December 14, 2024: 7:00pm-9:30pm
- Sunday, December 15, 2024: 11:00am-12:00pm (Family-Friendly Concert)
- Sunday, December 15, 2024: 3:00pm-5:30pm
- Friday, December 20, 2024: 2:00pm-4:30pm
- Friday, December 20, 2024: 7:00pm-9:30pm
- Saturday, December 21, 2024: 2:00pm-4:30pm
- Saturday, December 21, 2024: 7:00pm-9:30pm
- Sunday, December 22, 2024: 1:00pm-3:30pm
- Sunday, December 22, 2024: 5:00pm-7:30pm
***Singers are expected to participate in all rehearsals and a MINIMUM of 6 performances for The Magic of Christmas, with exact performance dates determined by each singer’s availability and at the discretion of the director. Any and all conflicts with the rehearsal/performance schedule listed above should be noted on your audition form on the day that you audition. If you have any questions about potential conflicts, please mention this in your initial email to schedule an audition.
La Bohème
Children’s chorus only rehearsals
Woodfords Congregational Church, Portland, ME
- Saturday, November 9, 2024: 11:00am-12:30pm
- Saturday, November 16, 2024: 11:00am-12:30pm
- Saturday, January 4, 2025: 9:30am-11:00am
- Saturday, January 11, 2025: 9:30am-11:00am
- Saturday, January 18, 2025: 9:30am-11:00am
Combined chorus/orchestra rehearsals
Merrill Auditorium, Portland, ME
- Monday, January 20, 2025: 7:00pm-10:00pm (Sitzprobe)
- Tuesday, January 21, 2025: 7:00pm-10:00pm (Rehearsal)
- Wednesday, January 22, 2025: 6:00pm-9:00pm (Rehearsal)
- Thursday, January 23, 2025: 10:30am-1:00pm (Dress Rehearsal)
***Additional staging rehearsals starting on January 19th to be determined.
Performances
Merrill Auditorium, Portland, ME
- Friday, January 24, 2025: 7:00pm-9:30pm
- Sunday, January 26, 2025: 2:30pm-5:00pm
- *** SNOW DATE: Monday, January 27, 2025: 7:00pm-9:30pm
Carmina Burana
Children’s chorus only rehearsals
Woodfords Congregational Church, Portland, ME
- Saturday, March 29, 2025: 9:30am-11:00am
- Saturday, April 5, 2025: 9:30am-11:00am
- Saturday, April 12, 2025: 9:30am-11:00am
- Saturday, April 19, 2025: 9:30am-11:00am
Combined chorus/orchestra rehearsals
Merrill Auditorium, Portland, ME
- Thursday, April 24, 2025: 7:00pm-9:30pm (Rehearsal)
- Saturday, April 26, 2025: 10:00am-12:30pm (Rehearsal)
- Saturday, April 26, 2025: 7:00pm-10:00pm (Dress Rehearsal)
***Additional COMBINED CHILDREN’S/ADULT CHORUS rehearsal earlier in this same week to be determined.
Performances
Merrill Auditorium, Portland
- Sunday, April 27, 2025: 2:30pm-4:30pm
- Tuesday, April 29, 2025: 7:00pm-9:30pm
***Please Note: Merrill Rehearsals and the 1st Performance of Carmina Burana take place during school vacation week for Maine public schools.
Signing Up for an Audition
To reserve an audition time slot, please email childrenschorus@portlandsymphony.org with the following information:
- Name
- Age
- Grade
- School that you attend
***All those planning to audition MUST reserve a time slot in advance. If you are a student emailing us to reserve an audition time slot for yourself, please include your parent/guardian on the email.
Audition Time/Location
Auditions will be held in the morning/afternoon beginning at 9:00am on Saturday, October 12 at Portland Conservatory of Music, found at the following address:
28 Neal St.
Portland, ME 04102
Audition Materials
In the audition, singers will perform a brief excerpt from “Somewhere in My Memory” from the movie Home Alone. A reference recording is included below, and sheet music will be emailed directly to singers when they schedule their audition. Singers may also be asked to perform pitch-matching exercises, as determined by the director.
- Somewhere In My Memory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0NCpe9O1RU
