APAP Career Center

Position: Executive Director, Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra (GJSO)

The Executive Director, a visionary, strategic, and innovative leader, will play a pivotal role in shaping the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra's ascendance. The Executive Director shall work to  ensure  the GJSOs continued growth, relevance, and impact within the community and beyond. The Executive Director will assume a wide range of responsibilities, from strategic planning and fiscal management to marketing, fundraising, and advocacy. The Executive Director will work collaboratively with key stakeholders to uphold the Symphony's mission and advance its long-term vision. With a blend of strategic vision, financial acumen, and dedication to artistic excellence, the Executive Director will lead the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra towards a vibrant and sustainable future.

History

The Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra began as the Mesa College Symphony in the 1930’s. In 1978, community leaders and musicians founded the Grand Junction Musical Arts Association, now the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra (GJSO). In August of 1987, Maestro Kirk Gustafson joined the GJSO as the resident conductor and remained with the Symphony until his retirement at the end of the 2015-2016 season. Charles Latshaw is the Symphony’s Music Director starting in the 2016-2017 season.

The GJSO, now in its 46th season, provides high-quality orchestral performances and educational programs to the residents of Mesa County, the Grand Valley, and the Western Slope of Colorado. The GJSO is proud to be the largest professional orchestra between Denver and Salt Lake City and one of the largest arts organizations in the Grand Valley. The organization has grown to a subscriber base of over 600 individuals and is a Level Five orchestra based on guidelines of the League of American Orchestras.

The Symphony performs at the 1050 seat Avalon Theatre in downtown Grand Junction. Starting in the 2024-2025 season, the GJSO will also have performances at the new 850-seat Colorado Mesa University Asteria Theatre and the new 1500-seat Grand Junction High School Auditorium. The Symphony currently plays five classical subscription series concerts and two symphonic pop concerts with two performances each in its season. The organization produces four chamber music concerts throughout the year at different locations around Grand Junction. Each summer, the orchestra performs a free outdoor concert for 4,500 community members at Las Colonias AMP.  The largest fundraiser is the annual Gala which is held in late Fall. The GJSO has produced full productions of opera and ballet in recent years.

The GJSO further benefits from the existence of two groups, the Symphony Guild and the Grand Junction Symphony Foundation, both of which were established to ensure the longevity and success of the GJSO. The Guild hosts fundraising events and provides an extensive group of volunteers for the organization. The Foundation is a permanent endowment for the GJSO and currently has $2.4 million in assets.

The music education programs for the GJSO include the new GJSO Academy and the Carnegie Link Up programs. The GJSO Academy’s purpose is to promote and normalize private lesson instruction for middle school students aged 11-14 by subsidizing instruction with GJSO principal players. The Carnegie Link Up program includes students in grades 3–5 where they are given the opportunity to join the orchestra in this highly participatory program, in which they learn to sing and play an instrument in the classroom and perform with a professional orchestra from their seats at a culminating concert at the Grand Junction High School Auditorium. Other current programs include a Young Artist Competition each year that gives the winner the opportunity to perform with the full orchestra at a subscription concert; the Crystal Baton program, which is a composition contest for middle school students.

Current Executive Director, Kelly Anderson, is leaving the organization after 12 successful years to pursue a new career opportunity.

Charles Latshaw, Music Director

Charles Latshaw is in his eighth season as Music Director of the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra in Arizona and maintains his position as Music Director of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra in Colorado, a post he has held since 2016.

In 2023, Latshaw won the 2^nd Prize and Audience Choice in the Orchestra’s Conductor competition in Ploie?ti, Romania. Prior to 2016 Latshaw was director of the Kent Blossom Music Festival and the Kent State University Orchestra and formerly Artistic Director and Conductor of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra in Indiana.  Latshaw has also held positions with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, the Washington Sinfonietta and the Ars Nova Chamber Orchestra.  He holds the distinction of being selected by members of the Vienna Philharmonic as their Herbert von Karajan Conducting Fellow in 2007. He has conducted orchestras internationally in Spain and Romania, and across the USA including the Cincinnati Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Boise Philharmonic, Evansville Philharmonic, Amarillo Symphony, Portland (ME) Symphony, Jackson (TN) Symphony, Erie Chamber Orchestra, BlueWater Chamber Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, Butler County (PA) Symphony, Holland (MI) Symphony, and more. 

Firmly dedicated to bringing orchestral music to new audiences, particularly the young, he has taught band, choir, general music and musical theatre to students of all ages. In this capacity he served as faculty for numerous summer programs including the Rocky Ridge Music Center, the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Strings Camp and the Palace Theatre summer programs. Additionally, he has led “Side by Side” concerts for high school students with the Indianapolis Symphony, the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra. 

Reporting

The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors and have comprehensive responsibility for all administrative functions of the organization. The Music Director is equal to the Executive Director and reports directly to the Board of Directors. The Music Director is responsible for all artistic decisions for the organization. The direct reports to the Executive Director will be the Marketing Director, Company Manager, Marketing/Development Coordinator, box office support staff, and the bookkeeper.

Primary Responsibilities

The Executive Director will

• lead a comprehensive strategic planning initiative to assess the orchestra's long-term health and direction, collaborating with stakeholders to identify opportunities for growth and innovation;
• partner with the Music Director, Board Chair, and Finance Committee to develop the annual budget and establish policies for sound fiscal management while ensuring responsible stewardship of financial resources and adherence to budgetary parameters;
• work closely with Marketing and Development Director, the Music Director, and the Operations Director to oversee season planning;
• advocate for the organization, cultivating relationships with donors, sponsors, educators, government leaders, and partners to secure financial support and advance the GJSO's mission;
• build and nurture community relationships across the arts organizations;
• ensure the organization operates within budgetary parameters;
• coordinate programming efforts with Music Director to ensure alignment with artistic goals and organizational objectives;
• bring innovative ideas, energies, programs, and initiatives to the GJSO, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence across all organizational activities while respecting orchestra tradition of the GJSO;
• position the GJSO as a catalyst for engaging future generations of music lovers through education and community engagement programs;
• serve as the primary board advisor and liaison, inspiring and guiding best practice governance, strong participation, diverse appointments;
• foster a culture of collaboration among musicians, board, staff, volunteers, and affiliates;
• oversee the hiring and management of the administrative staff, providing leadership and guidance to staff while supporting and strengthening the GJSO's culture of collaboration and inclusion;
• maintain a strong working relationship with musicians
• lead by example in fostering a culture of continual learning and excellence;
• communicate regularly with professional colleagues in the arts community, sharing information and current trends involving symphony orchestras and keeping abreast of existing and emerging artists and repertoire to ensure the GJSO remains relevant and responsive to audience preferences;
• collaborate with internal stakeholders to advocate for resources and support necessary for musician engagement initiatives and projects.

Preferred Competencies and Qualifications

The Grand Junction Symphony seeks an Executive Director with

• a commitment to the mission of the Grand Junction Symphony — To engage and enrich our community through symphonic music;
• progressive leadership experience within the arts or non-profit sector in roles that demand strategic planning, fiscal management, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership;
• vision, determination, and an ability to lead and inspire teams toward a common goal while fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence;
• strong business acumen and a history of effective financial management and fundraising success;
• experience in budgeting, revenue generation, expense management, and diversifying funding sources to ensure the financial sustainability of an organization;
• an ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, external partners, and the Board of Directors to achieve shared goals and objectives;
• experience in team mentorship, talent development, and creating a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration;
• exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to engage and inspire diverse stakeholders, including patrons, donors, board members, staff, musicians, and community leaders;
• a visionary leadership approach and an ability to develop and execute innovative, forward-looking strategies that advance mission and long-term goals;
• experience in strategic planning, trend analysis, and navigating challenges while identifying opportunities for growth and impact;
• an ability to cultivate strong relationships and partnerships with donors, sponsors, government officials, educators, community organizations, and other key stakeholders;

A bachelor’s degree focused on arts administration, non-profit management, business administration, or music or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 5 years of progressive leadership experience in executive roles within the arts or non-profit sector, is preferred for this position. The Grand Junction Symphony will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to the GJSO, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.