Job Description / Duties

Status: Full time, Exempt
Reports to: Dean of the Conservatory; dotted line to President
Supervises: Concert Office Manager; some faculty

Longy seeks an Assistant Dean for Artistic Planning with the curatorial creativity to set the course for Longy’s performance offerings and embed high artistic standards into all aspects of the curriculum. This position will oversee all artistic aspects of the school’s programs, shape the school’s annual performance calendar and develop a curatorial culture within the academic offerings. As the leader of the Concert Office, the Assistant Dean is responsible for ensuring the operational success of Longy performances, including staffing, contractual arrangements, production, and marketing. The successful candidate will collaborate with the Council of Academic Chairs, Senior Staff team, faculty, and program managers as described below.

The Opportunity
This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual to create and foster artistry within a conservatory and lead the team when it comes to setting artistic goals and direction. Longy seeks candidates with who love to brainstorm new ways to delight the audience and reframe the perception of classical and other music, using non-traditional spaces, repertoire, and production. Without adherence to any particular genre, the Assistant Dean will inspire faculty and program directors, create innovative student experiences and drive rapid experimentation.

The Assistant Dean for Artistic Planning will curate and produce the following programs, concerts and series, selecting the individuals and ensembles and advising the artists on the repertoire:

• Longy in the City. Longy students and faculty perform at RegattaBar at the Charles Hotel two-three times per year and are invited to perform at various events and occasions around the city.

• Oktoberfest Season Opener. Longy’s season launches with Oktoberfest, a two-day comprising two to three concerts.

• Ensembles in Residence/Artists in Residence. Longy provides opportunities for emerging artists to be in residence, performing, coaching and teaching throughout the year.

• Artist Diploma Candidates. Longy accepts just a few students each year into this highly selective diploma program. The Assistant Dean will weigh in on the admissions process and oversee this cohort, charging them with producing assignments during the year to foster their professional and artistic development.

The Assistant Dean for Artistic Planning will work with the directors and senior managers of the following programs on planning of seasons and concert repertoire, then taking steps to ensure that all artistic elements (such as booking guest artists or scheduling conducting assignments) are properly planned, contracted, and communicated to production, marketing, and other appropriate staff:

• Longy Conservatory Orchestra. Conducted by LCO Music Director Sean Wang, this orchestra performs three to four times per year in Longy’s Pickman Hall and nearby First Church (Cambridge).

• Summer Programs. Longy operates four distinct summer programs that have the potential for cross-pollinations and strong recruitment to the school.
o Divergent Studio: A multidisciplinary two-week program that focuses on composition (led by Longy staff), new music (led by partner ensemble Loadbang) and chamber music (led by Alumni Ensemble in Residence Neave Trio).
o Dalcroze Institute: A three-week program that provides tiers of training in Dalcroze, leading to certification.
o Boston Early Music Festival: Longy is developing a partnership with BEMF to host the summer festival at Longy.

• Project-Based Learning Classes. Many classes at Longy are performance-based, often done as projects conceived of, designed, and produced by the students. The Assistant Dean will provide artistic guidance and support on an ad hoc basis to faculty and student teams, advising Academic Affairs to ensure the success of this category of instruction.

• Musician’s Portfolio. The Assistant Dean for Artistic Planning will oversee the design and instructor of this required class, which prepares students for the day after graduation. In this course, Longy students hone their identity as an artist by crafting their artist statement and creating the portfolio of collateral – website, resume, recordings/video, biography – that prepares them to make the most of the professional opportunities they pursue.

• Sistema Side by Side. An orchestra led by three co-Artistic Directors and comprised of Longy students and young musicians from Massachusetts-based El Sistema-inspired programs, Sistema Side by Side is centered on mentorship and musical excellence. The program includes 3-4 concerts throughout the academic year, including the annual gala, as well as a two-week summer academy in August. The Assistant Dean for Artistic Planning will be available as a creative consultant to the Artistic Directors.

• Teaching Artistry. Longy was among the first music conservatories to require its students to study and practice teaching artistry, placing its students in community organizations and public schools around the city. Through this program, Longy students learn how to interact with new audiences and create meaningful musical experiences in a variety of settings. The Assistant Dean will lead this program, providing artistic guidance and support on an ad hoc basis to faculty and students as they develop their projects. As needed, the Assistant Dean may be called upon to teach in this program.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide vision, leadership and project management to Longy’s performances year-round, in support of the strategic plan.
• Collaborate with faculty and administrative leaders to create a cohesive performance season during the academic year.
• Identify, recruit, coach, and co-curate with performing artists.
• Identify, recruit and contract with artists and ensembles in residence.
• Ensure all concerts have appropriate contracts and logistical support.
• Supervise faculty and mentors; partner with faculty to develop meaningful project-based learning experiences.
• Take responsibility for turning raw ideas into performances that will transform student thinking and engage new audiences.
• Oversee the start-up of new concerts and series and take ownership of their continued success.
• Serve as principal staff liaison in Longy’s partnership with the Celebrity Series of Boston, ensuring all that all Debut Series events run smoothly including all teaching events (e.g., master classes, Q and A’s) attached to each artist’s appearance
• Assist in identifying funding sources for new endeavors.
• Write compellingly for programs as well as marketing/fundraising, with an eye toward audience development.
• Work closely with the Office of Institutional Advancement in preparing marketing materials and representing the programs at specific Longy fundraising events.
• Create and manage budgets as necessary for the programs and related activities.
• Assist in development of presentations to the board and other audiences.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Required Skills

• Qualified candidates will possess an outstanding record as a musician, producer and/or programmer.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• 6-8 years professional experience.
• Significant experience producing and directing music performances.
• Superlative project management skills.
• Deep familiarity with and understanding of classical and other music repertoire, with an interest in composition and new music.
• Track record of developing artists and designing music projects with critical acclaim.
• Strong coaching and facilitation skills, including a thorough understanding of music education principles and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Familiarity with booking artists, contracts, rights, and other business aspects of producing.
• Proven ability to build and leverage relationships with diverse audiences and partners.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with exceptional attention to details.
• Demonstrated ability to plan strategically, prioritize time, and manage implementation of plans in fast-moving, changeable environments.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as needed, as Longy hosts numerous performances.

Additional Information

COMPENSATION
Longy offers a competitive salary plus an Open Time Off Policy (OPTO), which includes a generous Family Medical Leave policy of 12 paid weeks. Longy also offers enrollment in Longy’s 403(b) defined contribution retirement plan, group health and dental plans, life and long‐term disability insurance, flexible spending account and qualified transportation programs.

TO APPLY
Interested applicants may send a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and links to media/video of representative work in confidence to Wayman Chin, Dean of the Conservatory, jobs@longy.edu, Longy School of Music of Bard College, 27 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.

ABOUT LONGY
Longy School of Music of Bard College is at the forefront of graduate music education. Founded to offer an alternative to traditional conservatories, Longy continues to bring new and different perspectives on how to train and prepare modern musicians. Longy has made a name for itself by focusing on the social imperative: musicians, like all artists, must play a critical role in creating vibrant communities. This is carried out in signature programs to prepare students for the challenges of the musician of the 21st century.

Longy is a degree-granting institution that serves students from over 35 states and 25 countries at its Conservatory campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts and its Master of Arts in Teaching campus in Los Angeles, California. Founded as Longy School of Music in 1915 by renowned oboist Georges Longy, Longy is a conservatory with a social imperative, providing for all students a distinguished faculty that promotes profound musical understanding and technical mastery, encourages growth of imagination, and fosters inquiry about the role of music and the musician in society. Longy’s mission is to prepare musicians to make a difference in the world.

Longy School of Music of Bard College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status, or age. Longy values the diversity of its community.

Contact Information

Interested applicants may send a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and links to media/video of representative work in confidence to Wayman Chin, Dean of the Conservatory, jobs@longy.edu, Longy School of Music of Bard College, 27 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.