Symphony orchestra seeks executive director
The 12-year-old Washington Symphony Orchestra has grown to the point where it’s now able to hire its first paid, full-time executive director.
The symphony hopes to name someone to the job by January to take over duties that have mostly been handled by volunteers, said Maryann Weinstein, who is currently the volunteer executive director.
“Basically, the volunteers were getting overwhelmed,” Weinstein said.
She said the symphony hired a consultant to study its stakeholders, and the conclusion was reached that the organization can afford to hire an executive director.
“There is too much for people to do on a volunteer basis for an extended period of time,” she said.
The person hired for the job will market the symphony, write grant applications and track ticket sales.
On average, about 45 musicians attend rehearsals, and there are as many as 65 of them on stage during performances under the direction of Yugo Sava Ikach, who is in a paid position.
Weinstein said symphonies usually fund between 40 and 60 percent of their budgets through ticket sales, and the gap is filled through fundraisers.
“The audience support has been great, but at this point, we need to go to the next level,” she said.
Résumés and cover letters are being accepted at jobs@washsym.org.