Call for Applications: National Arts Centre Orchestra Announces New Resident Conductor Program

Canadian, early-career professional conductors are invited to apply by March 7 

February 1, 2024 – OTTAWA (Canada) – The National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) is expanding its suite of professional development programs with the announcement of a new Resident Conductor Program. 

The new two-year position, commencing at the start of NACO’s 2024-25 season, provides an immersive professional development opportunity for an emerging Canadian conductor under the mentorship of Music Director Alexander Shelley.  Primary responsibilities will include serving as assistant conductor for the Orchestra’s guest conductors as well as with Principal Guest Conductor John Storgårds and Principal Youth Conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser. The Resident Conductor will also work closely with NACO’s administrative team to learn about orchestra management, media relations and audience and community engagement. The position will offer a competitive salary and will finance travel for additional professional development.  

EXCHANGE WITH MONTREAL AND TORONTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS  

As part of this new program, NACO will collaborate with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in a conductor exchange program. The participants from the three orchestras will each spend one week per season with the other two orchestras, working as assistant conductor alongside the respective music director or visiting conductor. 

During his tenure as Music Director of the NAC Orchestra, Shelley has championed orchestral musicians, young conductors, music librarians and administrators—creating opportunities for hundreds of young artists to immerse themselves into the full-time professional environment of a world-class orchestra. 

“There is nothing more important than top-flight, hands-on experience for an emerging conductor. Reflecting our passion for professional development and its central role in our work, I believe that our new Resident Conductor position offers a significant opportunity for early-career Canadian conductors. In their side-by-side work with me, our guest conductors and administration and, not least, the time spent conducting our world-class NAC Orchestra, this will be an enriching, wide-ranging and challenging role that will offer an important stepping-stone into the profession."- Alexander Shelley, NACO Music Director. 

Nelson McDougall, Managing Director of the NAC Orchestra, expressed his enthusiasm for the creation of this position: “We are thrilled to support the professional development of Canadian conductors and to collaborate with our dear friends at the Montreal and Toronto symphony orchestras in this meaningful exchange which greatly enriches the experience for the conductors. I can’t wait to welcome our new resident conductor and witness their growth under the expert mentorship of our outstanding Music Director, Alexander Shelley, as well as with our NAC Orchestra and administration.” 

Applications open February 1, 2024, and the deadline is March 7, 2024. The Resident Conductor Program is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and welcomes candidates who identify as women, Indigenous, Black, People of Colour (IBPoC), and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and persons with visible and invisible disabilities. Complete application information is available online.