Join the Kalamazoo Symphony Team
Learn about employment opportunities with the KSO, from orchestra auditions to administrative positions.
The KSO is an equal opportunity employer. You can read additional details at the end of the page.
Join the Staff
Join the Kalamazoo Symphony administrative team! If you would like to be considered for the open staff position below, please follow the instructions at the end of the posting.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Please send questions to hr@kalamazoosymphony.com. No calls, please.
Open Staff Positions
FULL TIME | Director of Education & Community Engagement
The KSO seeks an energetic, youth- and community-focused professional with a strong musical background to join our team as Director of Education & Community Engagement. The dynamic individual in this unique role oversees a diverse portfolio of programs serving Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan, leading the strategy, development, and evaluation of KSO’s education and community partnerships in alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic goals.
PART TIME | Orchestra Rouh Lead Cello Instructor
Orchestra Rouh is an afterschool music program, serving refugee and immigrant students, alongside local peers, in the study of both Western and Middle Eastern musical traditions. Instructors support students holistically, fostering social and emotional development alongside instrumental and ensemble music skills. The Lead Cello Instructor will provide high-quality instruction to KKIT students. Instructors support students holistically, fostering social and emotional development alongside instrumental and ensemble music skills.
PART TIME | Kalamazoo Kids in Tune Program Assistant
KKIT is an afterschool orchestra program offered in partnership between Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and Kalamazoo Public Schools. At two program sites (Elementary and Secondary) students participate in afterschool group music instruction, sectionals, ensembles, orchestra, electives, and social and emotional learning. KKIT Program Assistants are the staff members primarily responsible for supervising students during meals, transitions, enrichment, and dismissal times, and will support KKIT music faculty during music classes to maintain a positive and productive classroom environment.
Auditions
Every season, the Kalamazoo Symphony reaches 50,000 individuals through transformative musical experiences.
Our musicians are the heart and soul of our organization, and we would be thrilled to have you join us – as a new contract musician or a substitute!
Open Auditions
ASSOCIATE CONCERTMASTER (VIOLIN 1, CHAIR 2) | ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
$33,429.95 annual salary* | Maximum 200 annual services
*Additional overscale pay possible for any services performed as Concertmaster
Audition Dates: April 28 and 29, 2026
Application Deadline: April 3, 2026 | JOB DESCRIPTION | APPLICATION | REPERTOIRE LIST
Position Start Date: September 1, 2026
If a position is won by a current member of the KSO, the resulting vacancy may be offered to a runner-up as a probationary temporary appointment with the possibility of becoming permanent.
Audition Application Information
All applicants are added to the audition roster once a completed application is submitted AND their $50 audition deposit is received. Candidates may either mail a check (or money order) or pay online via credit/debit card.
Checks should be made payable to the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and mailed to:
Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Attn: Personnel Manager – Auditions
359 S. Kalamazoo Mall Ste. 100
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Credit card deposits may be submitted here.
If paying via card, there is a small transaction fee. Applicants will be charged the full amount upfront and will be refunded the money after attending the audition (or after notifying the KSO of a cancellation by the cancellation deadline). Card refunds typically take 1 to 2 weeks to process.
Deposits MUST be postmarked/submitted by the application deadline to be added to the audition roster. If you do not receive confirmation within seven (7) days of submitting your deposit, please contact the Personnel Manager.
All candidates will receive a link to their instrument’s audition website via email after their deposit is received. This website includes all of the applicable details specific to that audition, including but not limited to: a full audition repertoire list, layout of the audition process, location and maps, and much more.
Audition Questions
With audition questions, please email auditions@kalamazoosymphony.com and include KSO <your instrument> Auditions in the subject line and your name, instrument, and preferred contact information in the body of the email.
We look forward to hearing from you!
The Sphinx Organization
The National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS) is a collaborative program between Sphinx, the League of American Orchestras, and the New World Symphony Orchestra that directly supports the resources and logistical needs of Black and Latinx musicians and conductors pursuing careers in orchestral performance. The program offers grants to help offset audition-related travel expenses, among other resources.
For more information, please visit: https://www.sphinxmusic.org/naas-grants.
For audition support, please visit: https://www.sphinxmusic.org/national-alliance-for-audition-support
At the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, disability status, marital status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Candidates from all backgrounds and walks of life are encouraged to apply.
