City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Director of Artistic Planning
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) is an internationally celebrated symphony orchestra, at home in Birmingham. A family of 90 incredible musicians, led by Music Director Kazuki Yamada, proud to make exciting musical experiences that matter to the people of Birmingham, the West Midlands and beyond. Resident at Symphony Hall, its musicians perform over 150 concerts each year in Birmingham, the UK and around the world, with music that ranges from classics to contemporary, soundtracks to symphonies, and everything in between. With a far-reaching community and education programme, alongside a family of choruses and youth ensembles, we are involved in every aspect of music-making in the Midlands – and have been for more than 100 years.
The CBSO is now looking for an ambitious artistic leader, who will make a significant, creative and strategic contribution to the orchestra’s future as Director of Artistic Planning. Working closely with the CEO, Music Director and players, the Director of Artistic Planning will continue and build on CBSO’s outstanding musical reputation and reach. They will be determined to explore a bold future for symphonic music, motivated by the search for new audiences, and the potential for new partnerships and new ideas to push this art form forwards. They will be inspired by the CBSO’s Creative Vision and the chance to play a major role in shaping its onwards development in the context of a city region that is among the most culturally diverse and youthful in Europe, and one that boasts a dynamic community of arts organisations.
Candidates will be visionary, collaborative leaders with a passion for orchestral music, significant experience in music programming, and a strong knowledge of the orchestral repertoire. A commitment to Birmingham and becoming a visible leader within the regional community is essential. The ideal candidate will be well-networked in the orchestral world, with strong relationships with agents and promoters, and deeply committed to inclusion, ensuring the orchestra reflects the diversity of the community it serves. They will also be interested in cross-cultural and cross-art form collaboration, with the ability to think creatively, build consensus, and deliver bold new projects.
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference EBGQC. Alternatively email Belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on 23rd September 2024.
In this impressive form the CBSO is likely to be the current number one in the United Kingdom. Rarely has such euphoric cheering for the experience been heard in the Alte Oper Frankfurt.