OUR PEOPLE
Violin I
Associate Concertmaster
The Assad Meymandi and Family Chair
Assistant Concertmaster
The Jessie Wyatt Ethridge Chair
The Richard and Joy Cook Chair
The Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. Chair
The Phyllis (“Pat”) Conrad Wells Chair
The Tom and Mary Mac Bradshaw Chair
The Harvey At-Large Chair
The J. Felix Arnold Chair
The James C. Byrd and Family Chair
Violin II
The Nancy Finch Wallace Chair
Associate Principal
The Blanche Martin Shaw Chair
Assistant Principal
Viola
Principal
The Florence Spinks and Charles Jacob Cate and Alma Yondorf and Sylvan Hirschberg Chair
Assistant Principal
The J. Sidney Kirk Chair
The Samuel H. and Anne Latham Johnson Chair
Cello
Anonymously Endowed
The William Charles Rankin Chair
The Nell Hirschberg Chair
The Sara Wilson Hodgkins Chair
The Secretary of Cultural Resources Betty Ray McCain Chair
Double Bass
The Mark W. McClure Foundation Chair
The Harllee H. and Pauline G. Jobe Chair
The Dr. and Mrs. Preston H. Gada Chair
Flute
The Jack and Sing Boddie Chair
Piccolo
The Jean Dunn Williams Chair
Oboe
The Clarence and Alice Aycock Poe Chair
English Horn
The Bruce and Margaret King Chair
Clarinet
Bassoon
French Horn
The Roger Colson and Bobbi Lyon Hackett Chair
The James Marion Poyner Chair
The Mary Susan Kirk Fulghum Chair
Trumpet
Trombone
Assistant Principal
Bass Trombone
Anonymously Endowed
Tuba
Harp
Timpani
Percussion
Organ
The Albert and Susan Jenkins and Family Organ Chair
Library
Principal Orchestra Librarian
The Mary Colvert and Banks C. Talley Chair
Assistant Orchestra Librarian
*Acting position
**Leave of absence
Carlos Miguel Prieto, Music Director Designate
The Maxine and Benjamin Swalin Chair
Carlos Miguel Prieto, Music Director Designate of the North Carolina Symphony, assumes the role of Music Director beginning with the 2023/24 season. He first appeared with the Symphony as guest conductor in 2011 and has conducted symphonies, choral works, and works by living composers in Raleigh and around the state.
Carlos Miguel Prieto was born into a musical family of Spanish and French descent in Mexico City and is the foremost Mexican conductor of his generation. Since 2006 he has been Music Director of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, where his tenure concludes in May of 2023. He was Music Director of the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de México from 2007 to 2022, and in 2008 he was appointed Music Director of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería, which performs a series of summer programs in Mexico City.
Prieto is in great demand as a guest conductor with orchestras including The Cleveland Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and New World Symphony, and has enjoyed a particularly close and successful relationship with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Recent highlights include engagements with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and Spanish National Orchestra.
Since 2002, alongside Gustavo Dudamel, Prieto has conducted the Youth Orchestra of the Americas (YOA), which draws young musicians from the entire American continent. A staunch proponent of music education, Prieto served as Principal Conductor of the YOA from its inception until 2011 when he was appointed Music Director. In early 2010 he conducted the YOA alongside Valery Gergiev on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the World Economic Forum at Carnegie Hall. In 2018 he conducted the orchestra on a tour of European summer festivals, which included performances at the Rheingau Musik Festival and Edinburgh International Festival as well as Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie. He has also worked regularly with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the NYO2 in New York.
Prieto is renowned for championing Latin American music, as well as his dedication to new music. He has conducted over 100 world premieres of works by Mexican and American composers, many of which were commissioned by him. Prieto places equal importance on championing works by Black and African American composers such as Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, and Courtney Bryan, amongst others.
Prieto has an extensive discography that covers labels including Naxos and Sony. Recent Naxos recordings include Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 & Études-tableaux Op. 33, with Boris Giltburg and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, which won a 2018 Opus Klassik award and was listed as a Gramophone Critics’ Choice for 2017, and a recording of Korngold’s Violin Concerto with violinist Philippe Quint and the Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería, which received two Grammy nominations. His recording of the Elgar and Finzi Violin Concertos with Ning Feng was released on Channel Classics in November 2018.
Carlos Miguel Prieto was recognized by Musical America as the 2019 Conductor of the Year. A graduate of Princeton and Harvard universities, Prieto studied conducting with Jorge Mester, Enrique Diemecke, Charles Bruck, and Michael Jinbo.
Grant Llewellyn, Music Director Laureate
Grant Llewellyn is renowned for his exceptional charisma, energy, and easy authority in music of all styles and periods. A native of Tenby, South Wales, Llewellyn won a conducting fellowship to the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts in 1985, where he worked with conducting legends Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Kurt Masur, and André Previn. As Assistant Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the early 1990s, he conducted at the Tanglewood Music Festival, and on classical series and Boston Pops concerts.
Llewellyn has conducted many orchestras in North America, most notably the symphonies of Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Milwaukee, Montreal, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Toronto. As Music Director of the Handel and Haydn Society, America’s leading period orchestra, he gained a reputation as a formidable interpreter of music of the Baroque and Classical periods.
Music Director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne since 2015, Llewellyn has held positions with numerous other European orchestras — including Principal Conductor of the Royal Flanders Philharmonic, Principal Guest Conductor of the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, and Associate Guest Conductor with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. An accomplished opera conductor, Llewellyn has appeared at the English National Opera, Opera North, Spoleto Festival USA, and the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.
Llewellyn has led NCS in four critically acclaimed recordings, most recently Britten’s Cello Symphony and Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante, both with cellist Zuill Bailey. Deeply committed and passionate about engaging young people with music, Llewellyn regularly leads education activities with NCS and around the world.
Michelle Di Russo, Associate Conductor
The Lucy Moore Ruffin Chair
Michelle Di Russo is Associate Conductor of the North Carolina Symphony where she is responsible for conducting the Symphony’s extensive statewide music education concerts. She has conducted UNC Health Summerfest performances, Young People’s Concerts, and Statewide Holiday Pops concerts with the Symphony. Recently Di Russo conducted the orchestra in statewide classical subscription performances and led the Symphony’s first Holiday Pops concert in Spanish in Raleigh.
A graceful and powerful force on the podium, Michelle Di Russo is known for her compelling interpretations, passionate musicality, and championing of contemporary music. She is an advocate for underrepresented artists and in 2020 co-founded the organization Girls Who Conduct to support younger generations of women and non-binary conductors in overcoming obstacles they face due to their gender.
Di Russo’s artistic journey began in her native country, Argentina, at the age of three with ballet lessons, followed by studies in voice and piano. She has acted on television and onstage. Di Russo holds multiple degrees in Orchestral Conducting from Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina, University of Kentucky (M.M.), and Arizona State University (D.M.A.). She is a Freeman Conducting Fellow in Chicago Sinfonietta’s prestigious Project Inclusion program and a recipient of the Concert Artists Guild’s Richard S. Weinert Award.
Previously, Di Russo served as Interim Director of Orchestras at Cornell University, Assistant Conductor for the Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestra, cover conductor and assistant for The Phoenix Symphony and Arizona Musicfest, and as a conducting fellow at the Cortona Sessions for New Music in Italy. She has also acted as cover conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, and the National Symphony Orchestra. In the summer of 2022, she served as the Joel Revzen Conducting Fellow at Festival Napa Valley.
North Carolina Symphony Society, Inc.
The Society Board is the governing, policy, and operating board of the Symphony Society. It secures financial resources, approves program goals, engages in strategic planning, and oversees budgets, continuing the Society’s mission to achieve the highest level of artistic quality and performance standards, and embracing the dual legacies of statewide service and music education.
Mr. Joe Bastian, Chair, Chapel Hill
Dr. Wm. Charles Helton, Vice Chair, Raleigh
Mr. Terry L. Stevens, Treasurer, Raleigh
Mr. David Haines, Assistant Treasurer, Cary
Mrs. Ashley Matlock Perkinson, Secretary, Raleigh
Mr. Don Davis, Past Chair, Raleigh
Ms. Sandi M. A. Macdonald, President & CEO, Raleigh
Ms. Deborah M. Aiken, Raleigh
Dr. Tim Altman**, Laurinburg
Mr. Chip Anderson*, Raleigh
Dr. Trude R. Bate, Cary
Ms. Denise S. Bennett, Raleigh
Mr. Jud Bowman, Durham
Ms. Patty Briguglio, Cary
Mr. Steve Burriss, Raleigh
The Honorable Roy Cooper*, Raleigh
Mr. Jeffrey A. Corbett, Raleigh
Mr. Courtney Crowder, Raleigh
Mr. Jim Datin, Chapel Hill
Mr. Richard L. Daugherty, Raleigh
Mr. Keith Donahue**, Raleigh
Dr. Robert N. Eby, Chapel Hill
Mr. Rick Gardner, Raleigh
Mr. Michael Gering, Raleigh
Mr. Mike Golden, Raleigh
Mr. Donald A. Haile, Raleigh
Mrs. Elaine Bryant Hayes, Fayetteville
Mr. Richard E. Hinson, Chapel Hill
Mr. Kevin Howell**, Raleigh
Mr. L. Dwain Joyce*, Fayetteville
Mrs. Cecelia Eckert Kennedy, Apex
Ms. Rosemary Gill Kenyon, Raleigh
Dr. Robert Lacin, Raleigh
Rev. Dr. Christie Mabry, Raleigh
Mr. Robert MacNeill, Jr., Durham
Ms. Jane Marr**, Wilmington
Mr. Branford Marsalis, Durham
Mrs. Louise A. Miller, Cary
Ms. Ginger Minichiello, Carthage
Mr. James Morgan, Raleigh
Ms. Lori O’Keefe, Wake Forest
Ms. Margaret Smedes Poyner, Raleigh
Dr. Ramachandra P. Reddy, Cary
Ms. Donna Rhode, Cary
Mr. Jason Smith, Raleigh
Mrs. Tracey Fodor Smith, Farmville
Mr. David Sontag, Chapel Hill
Mrs. Linda J. Staunch*, New Bern
Mr. M. Gray Styers, Jr., Greensboro
Ms. Sandy Sully, Cary
Ms. Alison Trapp, Chapel Hill
The Honorable Catherine Truitt*, Cary
Mr. Dereck Whittenburg, Raleigh
Secretary D. Reid Wilson*, Raleigh
Mrs. Darliene S. Woolner, Cary
Mr. Tim Yull, Raleigh
*Ex Officio Member
**Governor’s Appointee
Lifetime Trustees
The Society and Foundation Boards gratefully recognize the individuals listed below as Lifetime Trustees for extraordinary involvement and leadership of the Symphony over a significant period of time.
Dr. Assad Meymandi – 2015 Inductee
Mr. Edward O. Woolner (deceased) – 2016 Inductee
Mrs. Florence Peacock – 2022 Inductee
North Carolina Symphony Foundation
The Foundation Board holds the permanent endowment of the Symphony, solicits additions to the endowment, safeguards and invests assets, and prudently expends funds for the exclusive use and benefit of the Symphony Society.
Mr. Chip Anderson, President, Raleigh
Col. Matt Segal, Treasurer, Cary
Ms. Dianne C. Sellers, Secretary, Raleigh
Mr. Larry Wilson, Past President, Raleigh
Ms. Catharine Biggs Arrowood, Raleigh
Mr. Joe Bastian*, Chapel Hill
Mr. Richard L. Daugherty, Raleigh
Dr. Warner Hall, Raleigh
Dr. Wm. Charles Helton, Raleigh
Mr. Bill Hodges, Raleigh
Mr. D. S. (Steve) Hodges, Durham
Dr. Ted Kunstling, Raleigh
Dr. Emily Mann Peck, Raleigh
Dr. Shaler Stidham, Jr., Raleigh
*Ex Officio Member
North Carolina Symphony Chapter Boards
Craven County
Linda J. Staunch, President
Nancy Alexander
Susan Braaten
Dr. Jim Congleton
Philip Evancho
Dr. Catherine Everett
Hannah B. French
Cille Griffith
John Haroldson
Drew Honeycutt
Christopher McCrudden
Champ Mitchell
Luana Palimetakis
Tom Payne
Lauren Quinn
Pat Rowlett
Karen M. Skipper
Dawn D. Staats
Cindy Turco
Cumberland County
Mr. L. Dwain Joyce, President
Mr. Worth Smith, Vice President
Mrs. Alisa Evans Debnam
Mr. Chima Enwere
Ms. Andretta Hales
Mrs. Elaine Bryant Hayes
Ms. Andrea Kelly
Ms. Ashley Martin
Mr. Calvin Mims
Mr. Alec Powers
Edgecombe County
Ann Warren, President
Nettie Williams, Vice President
Becky Johnson, Secretary
Elizabeth Burns
Joy Chafin
Doneva Chavis
Kerrie Clayton
Nancy Dreier
Ronnie Ellis
Anderson Ferrell
Carol Ferri
Eric Greene
Dr. Gregory McLeod
Johanna Owens
Nina Rountree
Angie Ruffin
Katie Schultz
Suzanne Sharpe
Janet Spiers
Jessie Thorne
Moore County
Ginger Minichiello, President
Deb Swanson, Secretary
Luke Arno
Chris Dunn*
Audrey Kessler
Greg Lundberg
Marie Riedesel
Elaine Sills
*Ex Officio Member
Onslow County
Earl Taylor, President
Val Darner, Vice-President
Lyndsay Russell, Secretary
Elaine Bell
Joli Brooks
Dr. Erin Chaney
Pat Collins
Bill Darner
Susan Edwards
Gloria Goodwin
Dr. Robert Kell
Vickie Kell
Korene Marsh
Marjorie Tredwell
TRUSTEE LISTS CURRENT AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2022
President’s Office
Sandi M.A. Macdonald – President & CEO
Email: smacdonald@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.733.2750
Sue Guenther – Executive Assistant to the President & CEO
Email: sguenther@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5455
Artistic Operations
Donald Tippett – Vice President of Orchestra Operations
Email: dtippett@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5464
Samantha Gallup – Interim Personnel Manager
Email: sgallup@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5462
Hsing-I Ho – Director of Orchestra Personnel
Email: hho@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5521
Chris Moore – Stage Manager
Email: cmoore@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 336.561.6324
José Muñiz – Artistic Coordinator
Email: jmuniz@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5465
Bo Osborne – Production Manager
Email: hosborne@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.215.5738
Martin Sher – Artistic Advisor (Consultant)
Email: msher@ncsymphony.org
Kerry Smith – Assistant Vice President of Artistic Planning
Email: ksmith@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5497
Jason Spencer – Director of Education
Email: jspencer@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5461
Taylor Troyer – Assistant Orchestra Librarian
Email: ttroyer@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5470
Stephanie Wilson – Principal Orchestra Librarian (The Mary Colvert and Banks C. Talley Chair)
Email: swilson@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5468
Finance & Administration
Robert Schiller – Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration & CFO
Email: rschiller@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5490
Carol Brown – Accounting & Payroll Manager
Email: cbrown@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5493
Tiffany Debnam – Database & Fulfillment Manager
Email: tdebnam@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5496
Tiffany Haddock – Human Resources & Office Systems Manager
Email: thaddock@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5491
Stan Williams – Public Affairs Contractor
Email: swilliams@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5456
Jan Zimmermann – Assistant Vice President of Finance
Email: jzimmermann@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5494
Marketing & Audience Engagement
Linda Charlton – Vice President for Marketing & Audience Engagement
Email: lcharlton@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5474
Jennifer Blackman – Graphic Designer
Email: jblackman@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5481
Ashley Blankenship – Director of Marketing & Sales
Email: ablankenship@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5505
Maria H. Ewing – Director of Advertising & Corporate Partnerships
Email: mewing@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5480
Arianna Gulisano – Box Office Associate
Email: tickets@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.733.2750
Richard Hess – Communications Project Manager
Email: rhess@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5478
Melissa Holmes – Box Office Associate
Email: tickets@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.733.2750
Jonathan Naylor – Box Office Manager
Email: jnaylor@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5502
Alex Riggs – Box Office Associate
Email: tickets@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.733.2750
Jim Vestal – Box Office Associate
Email: tickets@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.733.2750
Peter Wallace – Assistant Vice President of Sales & Patron Experience
Email: pwallace@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5507
Allison Wilson – Box Office Associate
Email: tickets@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.733.2750
Philanthropy
Lisa Ransom – Vice President of Philanthropy
Email: eransom@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5487
Rebecca Gunn – Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy
Email: rgunn@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5489
Courtney Hamm – Director of Corporate & Foundation Giving
Email: chamm@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5483
Matthew Holt – Corporate & Foundation Giving Coordinator
Email: maholt@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5479
Becca Meier – Annual Giving Coordinator
Email: rmeier@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5492
Emily Wilbourne – Leadership Giving Manager
Email: ewilbourne@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5506
Auditions
Associate Principal Trumpet
Preliminary Auditions: September 10-11, 2023
Semifinal/Final Auditions: September 11-12, 2023
The audition will take place at the North Carolina Symphony’s home, Meymandi Concert Hall, in downtown Raleigh. All rounds will be screened.
The repertoire list for this audition will be available shortly after June 1, 2023.
TO APPLY
Please click here to submit your one-page resume as a PDF attachment. Resumes submitted otherwise will not be accepted.
If you have any questions, please email auditions@ncsymphony.org.
Applications must be received by July 16, 2023.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The 2023/24 season is 40 weeks with a minimum title salary of $1,748.95/week ($71,377.80 annual including EMG) plus 18 optional summer services at the position per-service rate. Benefits include 9% retirement contribution and medical, life, and instrument insurance.
Employment to begin at the earliest mutually agreed upon date, no later than September 2024, with satisfactory USCIS employment eligibility verification.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Proof of Vaccination: All musicians auditioning for the NC Symphony must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Per the CDC, up-to-date vaccination is defined as administration of a one-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) plus one booster dose given at least two months later; or administration of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc.) plus one booster dose given at least five months later. No exceptions or accommodations will be considered. Anyone who does not provide proof of vaccination will not be permitted to audition.
Face Masks: Face Masks are encouraged but not required.
Section Viola
Preliminary Auditions: September 16-17, 2023
Semifinal/Final Auditions: September 17-18, 2023
The audition will take place at the North Carolina Symphony’s home, Meymandi Concert Hall, in downtown Raleigh. All rounds will be screened.
The repertoire list for this audition will be available shortly after June 1, 2023.
TO APPLY
Please click here to submit your one-page resume as a PDF attachment. Resumes submitted otherwise will not be accepted.
If you have any questions, please email auditions@ncsymphony.org.
Applications must be received by July 16, 2023.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The 2023/24 season is 40 weeks with a minimum section salary of $1,589.95/week ($65,018 annual including EMG) plus 18 optional summer services at the position per-service rate. Benefits include 9% retirement contribution and medical, life, and instrument insurance.
Employment to begin at the earliest mutually agreed upon date, no later than September 2024, with satisfactory USCIS employment eligibility verification.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Proof of Vaccination: All musicians auditioning for the NC Symphony must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Per the CDC, up-to-date vaccination is defined as administration of a one-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) plus one booster dose given at least two months later; or administration of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc.) plus one booster dose given at least five months later. No exceptions or accommodations will be considered. Anyone who does not provide proof of vaccination will not be permitted to audition.
Face Masks: Face Masks are encouraged but not required.
Administrative positions
Events Manager
Immediate Opening May 2023
THE POSITION
The North Carolina Symphony seeks an Events Manager to lead and deliver high-quality, successful special events for the North Carolina Symphony, to support the achievement of donor engagement goals and $4 million in annual contributed revenue, including at least $100,000 annually from fundraising events. North Carolina Symphony events include fundraising, cultivation, stewardship, and recognition events. Attendance at events and concerts (evenings and weekends) is required.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- With guidance from the Vice President of Philanthropy and in keeping with the institution’s vision, lead and execute all special events and stewardship activities organized by the Philanthropy and Executive departments each year, including 2-3 large and 2-3 small fundraising events or trips, 5 donor Giving Circle benefit events and 6-8 open rehearsals, donor rooms at 50+ concerts across the state, receptions and intimate dinners with artists, corporate sponsor receptions, and 4-6 board meetings.
- Ensure achievement of desired outcomes for all events including revenue and engagement goals.
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with funders, volunteer committee leaders, trustees, and event attendees, through phone calls, face-to-face meetings, and correspondence; track and manage event and meeting RSVPs and attendance.
- Manage and support fundraising event committees, including correspondence, running efficient and productive meetings, and facilitating action steps and fundraising progress.
- Manage all event-related expenses, in accordance with set budget goals.
- Work with colleagues to enter and pull data from the database as needed, and ensure accomplishment of payment processing, acknowledgment letters, and fulfillment for events.
- Maintain comprehensive records; develop and manage all event timelines, briefings, layouts; and manage vendors.
- Manage all event communications, day-of execution, logistics, production, evaluation, and follow-up.
- Print invitations, name tags, signage, event programs, and other collateral; keep inventory of event supplies.
- Provide administrative support for the Development Committee, including correspondence, preparing meeting materials, taking meeting minutes, and keeping official records.
- Regularly participate in Philanthropy concert duty.
- Manage weekly Philanthropy team meetings and prepare agendas and fundraising dashboards.
- Manage master events calendar in coordination with other departments, and keep all departments updated monthly through cross-departmental communication.
- Research event ideas and venues; keep abreast of other community events that would be of interest to our donors and look for potential conflicts regarding event dates and times.
- Serve as back-up to the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO as needed.
- Perform other responsibilities or assignments as needed, including general administrative tasks for the department.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
- At least three years of strategic experience in fundraising event leadership and management, creating events that added value and increased philanthropic contributions
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to function at a high level under deadline pressure in a fast-paced dynamic environment, and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and excellent judgment and professionalism in working collaboratively with all levels of staff, volunteers, donors, and prospective donors
- Demonstrated success partnering with trustees and community leaders of multiple generations to achieve and grow fundraising results
- Team-oriented, flexible, proactive, positive, and personable, with professional appearance and demeanor
- Ability to support and implement the mission, vision and values of the North Carolina Symphony; knowledge of, and interest in, orchestral music or performing arts
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, desktop publishing, databases, and Zoom
- Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends; valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle for reliable transportation required.
- Bachelor’s degree required
The North Carolina Symphony values diversity in backgrounds and experiences. Individuals are encouraged to apply if they meet most of the qualifications listed above.
This is a full-time salaried position based in the Triangle region of North Carolina. The salary hiring range is $39,300 to $50,000. The North Carolina Symphony is currently operating on a hybrid work structure with onsite and remote work (after first 90 days). The benefits package includes health insurance through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, long-term disability coverage, life insurance, an employee assistance program and voluntary vision and dental insurance. Enrollees in our optional 403(b) retirement plan receive an employer match and our Health Savings Account offering provides a bi-annual employer contribution.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Proof of Vaccination: All administrative staff employed with the North Carolina Symphony must provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. Full vaccination is defined as two weeks after the date of administration of a one-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) or two weeks after the date of administration of the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc.), and receiving all recommended boosters, when eligible.
TO APPLY
Email cover letter, resume, and list of three references to:
Lisa Ransom, Vice President of Philanthropy
humanresources@ncsymphony.org
No phone calls, please
Box Office Sales Associate
Immediate Opening
DEPARTMENT: Marketing
REPORTS TO: Box Office Manager
CLASSIFICATION: Full Time/Exempt
Under the direction of the Box Office Manager, the Box Office Associate will provide exemplary customer service both internally and externally and operate in a professional and efficient manner, supporting all box office activities to maximize ticket sales and enhance patron loyalty. It is paramount that this position always serves as an excellent representative of the North Carolina Symphony.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
BOX OFFICE SALES: 60%
Striving for continuous improvement of patron service achieving premier service and advancing patron loyalty initiatives.
- Monitor events on a consistent basis from event creation until after the show occurs to ensure tickets are selling correctly; correct holds remain in place, inventory control, etc.
- Assist Box Office Manager in creating scaling maps, map changes, promo changes and submit events into the ticketing system in an accurate manner.
- Support ticketing system event building, ticket and promotion configuration, ticket design and proofing. Assist in preparation of ticket sales audits and reports related to revenue and attendance at events.
- Attend to ticket sales during regular business hours and during performances via phone, in person, by mail and by email.
- Increase earned income through cross-sale and up-sale opportunities, assist with group sales.
- Demonstrate the ability to balance multiple projects, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively in a frequently flexible and quick-moving environment.
- Assist the Box Office Manager with front of house set-up and oversight.
- Handle all transactions with fastidious attention to detail and security and maintain professional behavior handling confidential information.
- Actively seek out new enhancements and alternatives to enhance patron value and customer service.
- Work closely with the Group Sales Coordinator to ensure accuracy of sales and patron loyalty.
- Follow proper cash handling procedures and reconcile daily transactions.
- Maintain a positive attitude and a genuine interest in helping others.
- Contribute to the environment of the box office in a manner that is conducive to customer service, sales promotion, and quality of work life.
- Provide the highest level of customer service.
- Maintain quality database entry practices when completing regular database maintenance projects.
- A commitment to be available for work evenings and weekends is required.
AUDENCE DEVELOPMENT AND SALES: 30%
Achieves annual statewide earned income, new to file and retention audience development goals.
- Provide feedback in regard to customer entertainment preference and purchasing habits.
- Maintain knowledge of subscriptions and concerts currently available to patrons.
- Advance patrons to the next strategic growth step by participating an inbound/outbound call room.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES – 10%
Perform other responsibilities or assignments as required, including evening and weekend concert duty across the state.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of basic cash handling procedures, including PCI compliance
- Ability to initiate and build relationships with customers and interact via telephone and in person with customers
- Possess high standards of integrity, credibility, and reliability
- Works well independently and in a group setting, a true team player
- Ability to maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including days, evenings, and weekends
- Passion for and/or experience in the performing arts
- Takes initiative and uses innovation; has passion and perseverance; is self-motivated and goal-oriented
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, OneDrive, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Ability to travel in North Carolina
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Proof of COVID-19 full vaccination required
THE ORGANIZATION
We are an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religious persuasion, marital status, political belief, or disability that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions.
TO APPLY
Send cover letter, resume by email to:
Jonathan Naylor, Box Office Manager
jnaylor@ncsymphony.org
No phone calls, please
Part-Time Box Office Associate (20 hours/week)
Under the direction of the Box Office Manager, the Box Office Associate will provide support services and operate department in a professional and efficient manner, supporting all box office activities to maximize ticket sales and maintain a high level of customer service.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities for this multi-faceted role include: answer incoming calls and transfer to specific extensions; process ticket orders both in person and via phone, fax, mail, and online; process ticket exchanges; increase earned income through cross-sale and up-sale opportunities; assist with group sales when needed; perform general administrative office duties such as filing and photo copying and other duties as assigned by the Box Office Manager.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to organize, manage, and complete multiple projects and tasks simultaneously with accuracy, timeliness, and enthusiasm
- Experience handling money, ideally in a box office setting
- Excellent oral and written communications skills and highly developed organizational skills
- Willingness to perform outbound calling to sell tickets
- Motivated and enthusiastic, with the ability to own projects while asking for assistance when needed
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
- Willingness to work outside of traditional business hours and to work a flexible schedule that requires statewide travel and evening and weekend concert work
- Provide exemplary customer service, including the ability to maintain a positive attitude, be flexible, and resolve problems under pressure
- Experience working in retail or phone sales preferred
- Experience with any ticket system preferred
THE ORGANIZATION
We are an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religious persuasion, marital status, political belief, or disability that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Proof of Vaccination: All administrative staff employed with the North Carolina Symphony must provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. Full vaccination is defined as two weeks after the date of administration of a one-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) or two weeks after the date of administration of the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc.).
TO APPLY
Send cover letter, resume by email to:
Jonathan Naylor, Box Office Manager
jnaylor@ncsymphony.org
No phone calls, please
About the North Carolina Symphony
The North Carolina Symphony is an equal opportunity employer that maintains a policy of nondiscrimination with respect to all employees and applicants for employment including hiring, promotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay, selection for training, and recruitment. All considerations are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status. Employment decisions, subject to the legitimate business requirements of NCS, are based solely on the individual’s qualifications, merit, experience and performance. NCS is proud to be a partner orchestra of the National Alliance for Audition Support.
Founded in 1932, the North Carolina Symphony (NCS) is a vital and honored component of North Carolina’s cultural life. Each year, more than 300 concerts, education programs, and community engagement offerings reach adults and schoolchildren in all 100 North Carolina counties—in communities large and small, and in concert halls, auditoriums, gymnasiums, restaurants, clubs, and outdoor settings. NCS is proud to expand access to audiences around the globe through concerts and educational offerings available through the digital space.
NCS’s state headquarters venue is the spectacular Meymandi Concert Hall at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh. The Symphony’s service across the state includes series in Chapel Hill, Wilmington, New Bern, Southern Pines, and Fayetteville, as well as the Summerfest series at its summer home, the outdoor Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. NCS brings some of the world’s greatest talents to North Carolina and embraces home-state artists from classical musicians to bluegrass bands, creating live music experiences distinctive to North Carolina. NCS is dedicated to giving voice to new art and has presented more than 50 U.S. or world premieres in its history.
Committed to engaging students of all ages across North Carolina, NCS leads one of the most extensive education programs of any symphony orchestra in the country—serving over 100,000 students each year. In alignment with the curriculum set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the Symphony provides training and resources for teachers, sends small ensembles into classrooms, and presents full-orchestra in-person and online Education Concerts that bring the fundamentals of music to life. Music Discovery for preschoolers combines music with storytelling, and at the middle and high school levels, students have opportunities to work directly with NCS artists and perform for NCS audiences.
The first state-supported symphony in the country, NCS performs under the auspices of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, D. Reid Wilson, Secretary.