Career Center

Organization: Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO)

Reports To: VP of Artistic Operations & Education

Status: Full-Time, Exempt (40 hours/week)

Salary Range: $54,000–$59,000

The Director of Education & Community Engagement leads the strategy, development, and evaluation of KSO’s education programs and community partnerships in alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic goals. This role oversees a diverse portfolio of programs serving Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan and supervises education staff, interns, and volunteers while guiding the educational work of KSO musicians.

Key Responsibilities

Program Strategy & Management: Plan, implement, and evaluate education and community programs  • Develop curricula, program models, and assessment tools  • Create and manage departmental and program budgets  • Build and maintain partnerships with schools, higher education, and community organizations  • Lead curriculum advisory efforts and engage local educators in program design  • Manage contracts for fee-based programming  

Core Program Oversight: Oversee implementation of KSO’s education and community initiatives, including: • Youth Concerts (school-day performances)  • KSO on the Go (traveling ensembles)  • Musical Storybooks (early childhood/family programming)  • Partner School residencies  • Marvelous Music preschool partnership  • Youth Soloist Competition & Student Performer Showcase  • KSO in Your Community (rural engagement programs)

 Artists in Residence (AIR) Program: Design and expand community-focused initiatives featuring KSO’s Artists in Residence, a salaried core of eight musicians • Schedule and assign AIR services in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement  • Maximize community impact and support revenue-generating opportunities  • Evaluate performances and provide feedback to musicians  • Coordinate professional development opportunities  

Community Engagement: Assess and strengthen KSO’s connections with diverse communities  • Develop partnerships that broaden access and deepen community impact  • Expand outreach to rural and underserved areas  

Board & Organizational Leadership: Support the Board’s Education & Community Partnerships Committee (agenda development, reporting)  • Prepare regular reports for board meetings

Cross-Department Collaboration:

Advancement: funding strategies, grant support, donor and community events

Marketing: promotion, communications, and brand alignment of education programs

Artistic Operations: program logistics, musician scheduling/payroll, contracts, media projects

Finance: budget development, tracking, and reporting

Supervision: Education Manager  • Interns (seasonal)  • Education volunteers  • KSO Artists in Residence and ensemble musicians (advisory/program guidance)  

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, five or more years of employment in a closely related career setting, and leadership and supervisory experience. Significant experience in music and/or performing arts is preferred.  

About Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra

Making symphonic music a part of everyday life for over 100 years, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra serves its community through lifelong musical experiences and learning throughout our community. The KSO is actively collaborating with other Kalamazoo area organizations to inspire, care for, educate, and connect people through the arts. The KSO is the state’s third-largest orchestra, with a professional roster of more than 80 musicians and a dedicated administrative staff working together to curate exceptional symphonic music, world-class guest artists, and vibrant educational programs. The KSO receives major support from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation and is supported by the Michigan Arts & Culture Council. The KSO is a member of the most recent cohort of the Catalyst Incubator Fund of the League of American Orchestras to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in the orchestra field. Kalamazoo Kids in Tune, an innovative after-school orchestra immersion program, has received recognition from Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute. The KSO also receives generous support from other local, state, and national foundations and private and corporate support.

Connections working at Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra