Amir Kats Leaves Albuquerque Youth Symphony for Minnesota
Amir Kats, Conductor of the Albuquerque Youth Symphony (AYS) for the past five years, has been named Artistic Director of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.
Mr. Kats led the AYS on concert tours to Brazil, Texas and to New York City, where the orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall. "I want to express my appreciation for the opportunity the AYS Program has afforded me over the five seasons I have conducted the Youth Symphony and Albuquerque Junior Orchestra. The music we have made, the young people we've taught, and the skills and knowledge I have acquired have been enormously fulfilling. This work continues to serve me well in both my professional career and personally."
The AYS Program is announcing the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Conductor vacancy immediately, with the intent to hire an interim conductor for the 2007 - 2008 season. A search for the position will be held during the school year.
NOTICE OF VACANCY
Position: Interim Conductor, Albuquerque Youth Symphony (ten month period)
Responsibilities: Responsible for conducting the Albuquerque Youth Symphony, including weekly rehearsals and a three-day pre-season camp, and for making related musical decisions, including annual auditions. The Albuquerque Youth Symphony is a 90-member orchestra comprising the finest high school musicians in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. The performance season includes three full concerts and a tour.
Salary: Salary is negotiable. The interim position will be for a ten-month appointment requiring a minimum of six hours per week.
Appointment Begins: August 1, 2007
Desirable Qualifications: We desire that our interim conductor have performance experience on a major orchestral instrument, knowledge of and relationship with secondary school music programs, demonstrated success as a conductor of high school orchestras and/or youth orchestras and knowledge of orchestral repertoire. Master's Degree in Music or Music Education is desired.
Additional Information: The Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program, Inc., one of the largest in the United States, includes participation by over 500 students in grades 3 through 12. The program was initiated in 1955 and now comprises six separate orchestras and a band, each with its own conductor and section instructors. The program staff includes a full-time Executive Director and a part-time Music Director. A 25-member Board of Directors provides program oversight. The program is generously supported by the Albuquerque Public Schools and the University of New Mexico. The annual budget of the program exceeds $400,000.
The Albuquerque Youth Symphony performs extensively throughout New Mexico and has made appearances in many other states and countries. Most recently, the orchestra completed a very successful ten-day tour in Brazil in honor of our 50th Anniversary season. Alumni from the orchestra currently perform as members of some of the most prestigious symphony orchestras in the United States.
It is anticipated that the organization will conduct a national search during 2007 - 2008 to identify a permanent conductor for the Albuquerque Youth Symphony. The person selected as interim AYS Conductor for the 2007 - 2008 season may submit an application during this search process.
Applications: Application materials must include (1) a letter that expresses interest in and qualifications for the position, (2) a detailed resume, (3) printed programs of concerts presented in the past three years, (4) the name, title address, phone number and e-mail address for three professional references, and (5) audio and/or video tape of a recent performance as a conductor. Selected candidates may be asked to audition in Albuquerque during July at the organization's expense.
Deadline: For preferred consideration, application materials should be received as soon as possible, but no later than June 15, 2007.
Complete applications must include all five (5) materials as described under applications. Please send all pertinent materials to:
Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program, Inc.
P. O. Box 30961
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87190
Inquiries may be made by telephone (505-875-1319) or e-mail (ays@aysmusic.org).