Education Programs Host Position Summary
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra seeks an engaging and charismatic Education Programs Host to serve as the consistent public face of BSO education and family concerts. The host will act as the onstage narrator and audience guide, helping elementary-aged audiences connect with orchestral music through storytelling, audience participation, and interactive educational experiences.
Working closely with conductors, musicians, and production staff, the host will present scripted material, lead audience engagement activities, and help connect educational themes to the music being performed.
In addition to performing, the host will collaborate with BSO Education staff on the development of the host character, performance style, script revisions, audience engagement strategies, and the overall execution of the role. We envision this position becoming a recurring presence across BSO education programming, allowing audiences and educators to develop familiarity with a consistent host and educational voice.
Services are performed primarily at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore. Occasional performances may occur at partner venues throughout the region.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the onstage host and narrator for education and family concerts.
- Present scripted material in an engaging, age-appropriate manner.
- Lead audience participation and interactive learning experiences.
- Collaborate with conductors, musicians, and production staff during rehearsals and performances.
- Participate in planning meetings and other preparation activities as needed.
- Contribute creatively to the ongoing development of the host character, scripts, and educational programming.
- Represent the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra with professionalism, enthusiasm, and artistic excellence.
Qualifications
Candidates should demonstrate:
- Strong musicianship, including music-reading ability and the ability to follow a conductor.
- Ability to follow an orchestral score highly desired.
- Strong vocal performance and storytelling skills.
- Ability to memorize and perform scripted material.
- Strong improvisational skills and comfort interacting with live audiences.
- Ability to communicate naturally and effectively with elementary-aged students.
- Strong stage presence and public speaking skills.
- Ability to be a team player, accept constructive feedback, and make adjustments.
Engagement Terms
This is a seasonal position supporting the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's education and family programming throughout the concert season.
Approximately 20 services are available annually. In addition to scheduled services, the selected host will be expected to participate in planning meetings, script development, and other preparation activities necessary to support the successful delivery of the programs.
Seasonal stipend: $5,500
Most services take place on weekday mornings or Saturday mornings.
Preference will be given to candidates who are available to participate in all or most of the scheduled services throughout the season. If additional performances are added beyond 20, they will be compensated on a per-service basis.
Application Requirements
Applicants should submit the following materials:
Please include links in your resume to all required video submissions described below. You may submit:
- One video containing all three required submissions,or
- Separate videos for each submission.
Videos may be hosted on YouTube or another accessible video-hosting platform. If using YouTube, applicants are encouraged to set videos to Unlisted. Regardless of the platform used, applicants are responsible for ensuring that the selection committee can access the videos using the provided links.
Required Video Submissions
1. Singing Reel (approximately 3 minutes)
Submit a full-body video demonstrating a variety of vocal styles.
Requirements:
- Material does not need to be written for children.
- At least one selection should demonstrate how youwould singfor an elementary-aged audience.
2. Scripted Performance Excerpt (approximately 2 minutes)
Using the provided script, score, and recorded accompaniment, submit a recorded performance of the assigned excerpt from The Dead Composers Society.
This submission will be evaluated on:
- Musical literacy
- Timing and cue awareness
- Script interpretation
- Ability to integrate spoken and musical elements
Please perform the excerpt with the included recorded music. All materials can be found at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1H1W30XeT9s8VwPbEj0Bp9b5eklCIKg4V?usp=sharing. Please note that the recording was created by extracting the voice from a recording. You may hear some artifacts in the recording but it should not impede your ability to perform with the recording.
3. Improvisation Exercise (no more than 2 minutes)
Record an original introduction that prepares an audience of elementary-aged students to hear the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra perform Holst's The Planets.
Imagine you are standing onstage immediately before the orchestra begins the piece. Your goal is to spark curiosity, build excitement, and help young listeners know what to listen for during the performance.
There is no single "correct" approach. Applicants are encouraged to use their own personality, creativity, storytelling style, and audience engagement techniques while communicating in an age-appropriate and engaging manner.
This submission will be evaluated on:
- Creativity and originality
- Audience engagement
- Age-appropriate communication
- Ability to explain musical ideas in an accessible and engaging way
- Overall stage presence and presentation
Audition Process
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Finalists will be invited to participate in a live audition at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in late August, where they will perform additional material and interview with members of the BSO staff.
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