Leading new music commissioner seeking entrepreneurial Managing Director.
Summary: After 26 years, Music of Remembrance is at a point of inflection of expansion, and seeking an entrepreneurial and collaborative leader to support expanded programming opportunities, an amplified visibility effort, and a diversified philanthropic effort which will serve to expand its impact and support its long-term sustainability. In 2022, MOR received a transformative gift to support these efforts. MOR is a powerful creative catalyst for “testimonies for tomorrow” – persuasive musical works that explore the consequences of intolerance toward the other. The position is full-time based in Seattle, in a hybrid environment.
WHO ARE WE?
Music of Remembrance (MOR) is a Seattle-based performing arts organization dedicated to addressing questions of human rights and social justice through the transformative power of music. Established in 1998 with a mission to ensure that voices of witness to the Holocaust be heard, its mission has evolved to explore the resilience of all who have been persecuted or excluded for their faith, ethnicity, gender or sexuality. Over the years, it has demonstrated itself to be a powerful creative catalyst for “testimonies for tomorrow” – persuasive musical works that explore the consequences of intolerance toward the other.
“Music of Remembrance exemplifies the power of music to help advance human rights and reaches into communities with cultural humility and artistic purpose.” – Seattle Office of Arts and Culture
Recent programs have introduced new works on the worldwide refugee crisis and the plight of families separated by borders; the threats of nuclear war; the consequences of religious intolerance, xenophobia, and racism; the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans; and the persecution of LGBT communities by the Nazis. The current season spotlights the lived experiences and creative traditions of Indigenous artists, delivers a powerful musical statement about the current women’s rights struggle in Iran, and traces the reverberating effects of cultural vandalism. Read about the 2023-2024 Season Here
MOR’s programs bring together world-class musicians, composers, artistic teams, and performing artists for its performances, recordings, and educational opportunities, with its core ensemble drawn primarily from the ranks of the Seattle Symphony. Over the years, its repertoire has grown from small chamber ensembles to encompass fully-staged operas, song cycles, choral music, choreography, musical dramas, and film scores. Most notably, it has commissioned and premiered over 40 new works which inspire compassion, understanding, and empathy while preserving the memory of historical injustices. The organization’s commitment to addressing both timeless and contemporary themes has led to collaborations with more than 20 composers, including Jake Heggie (composer of the most widely performed new opera in the last 20 years, Dead Man Walking), Paul Schoenfield (whose MOR commission Camp Songs was a finalist for the 2003 Pulitzer Prize in Music), Ryuichi Sakamoto, Tom Cipullo, Lori Laitman, Mary Kouyoumdjian, and many others. (See the full list of commissions here).
“Through its commissions, MOR has increasingly underscored the relevance of the past to present-day threats to human rights.” – The Seattle Times
“MOR has proved to be ahead of its time in grappling with issues of social justice and persecution. Commissions in recent years have become, alarmingly, more and more topical.” – Thomas May, music journalist
MOR was founded by American classical pianist, writer, and music historian Mina Miller – who serves as its CEO & Artistic Director. Miller leads with a visceral awareness of the power of memory – and the stories of persecution and exclusion that need to be told. As she describes, “If history has taught us anything, it’s the terrible price of silence in the face of injustice suffered by others. Music has a power to reach people’s hearts in ways that textbooks and newspapers cannot. We do not merely look back at history, but confront its meaning and important implications for our future. We bring past and present together, combining music that preserves memory with intimate emotional stories that draw on those lessons to address urgent questions of today. We continue to discover and share a priceless legacy of musicians, artists, writers and political free thinkers who refused to be silenced.”
Reflecting on its work, composers and artists have shared:
“The journey I’ve been able to take with Music of Remembrance has forever touched and changed me as a composer. Being able to explore and tell important, often surprising stories of survival, remembrance and legacy in this powerful way has affected every aspect of my work as an artist and human being.” – Jake Heggie, composer
“Music of Remembrance is that rare organization that presents music with a conscience, performances with a conscience.” – José Rubio, baritone
MOR’s home season is at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall. It annually tours to San Francisco and Chicago. It aspires to expand touring domestically and abroad, as well as explore new opportunities for sharing its work and increasing its impact. MOR has produced nine audio CDs, an opera DVD, three documentary films, and a suite of virtual programming including online concerts and educational outreach offerings. It additionally hosts a young artist award that nurtures early-career musicians aspiring to address human rights questions through their art. Its operating budget ranges from $600,000 to $700,000 based on annual program cycles.
WHAT’S NEXT?
In recent years, Miller and the Board of Directors have been envisioning Music of Remembrance’s future, which will include expanded programming opportunities, an amplified messaging and visibility effort, and a diversified philanthropic effort which will serve to expand its impact and support its long-term sustainability. In 2022, MOR received a transformative gift to support these efforts.
MOR’s next stage of evolution will share its work and messages with a broader audience through new and expanded channels. This will include an entrepreneurial exploration of aligned opportunities such as, but not restricted to, presenting, producing & commissioning partnerships; touring; licensing; residencies; and expansion of digital assets, among others. An expansion of aligned philanthropic opportunities with foundation, government, and individual sources will complement these efforts, as will the recruitment of new board members.
At this important juncture, Music of Remembrance invites interest from entrepreneurial arts management leaders who have a passion for advancing this important institution as its inaugural Managing Director.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN THIS POSITION
The Managing Director is a new position which will serve as a trusted collaborator to its CEO & Artistic Director and Board of Directors.
At their core, they will be a persuasive communicator and entrepreneurial relationship builder driven to expand Music of Remembrance’s impact and visibility. They will be able to articulate a compelling case for MOR’s commissions, productions, artists, and future legacy to audiences, industry partners and supporters. They will bring experience developing engaging messaging, marketing and communication efforts that celebrate and amplify a distinct organization’s contribution. They will have experience in considering a variety of presentation/distribution approaches and an interest in exploring and pursuing presentation/distribution channels new to MOR with an entrepreneurial approach.
They will have experience in fundraising and board engagement efforts that will enable them to support the expansion and diversification of MOR’s contributed revenue portfolio in collaboration with the CEO & Artistic Director, Director of Development, and Board of Directors.
They will have strong operational acumen which will enable them to balance day-to-day organizational operations with long-term strategy development.
Who you’ll be working with
The Managing Director reports to the CEO & Artistic Director and works closely with the Board of Directors. The Director of Development is a contracted position which reports to the CEO & Artistic Director and closely collaborates with the Managing Director. Music of Remembrance has one additional full-time staff member, an Executive Assistant, who supports the CEO & Artistic Director, the Managing Director, and the Director of Development, as well as day-to-day office operations. External contractors support public relations, graphic design, web hosting, accounting, legal needs, and the annual financial review.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizational Leadership: Collaborate with the CEO & Artistic Director in setting MOR’s overall strategic and operational direction, developing short- and long-range plans. Advance MOR’s culture of artistic & operational excellence with clear and thoughtful communication. Serve as a spokesperson (in addition to the Artistic Director & CEO) for MOR by attending performances and attending important civic and industry events. Develop strong relationships with stakeholders, including board members, donors, artists, collaborators, and volunteers.
Visibility, Marketing, and Programmatic Expansion: Lead the development of programmatic and organizational marketing strategies that maximize reach, attendance and earned & contributed revenue opportunities. Entrepreneurially research, pursue, and structure expanded opportunities for performance & impact as described above. Collaborate with the CEO & Artistic Director in negotiations and contracting for programmatic engagements. Promote MOR’s brand and advance its position at the forefront of international commissioning within its mission area. Coordinate with its external public relations firm.
Fundraising: Collaborate with the CEO & Artistic Director and Director of Development (an external contractor who focuses primarily on individual donors) to develop annual and multi-year fundraising strategies. Coordinate with the Director of Development to track and align their efforts with MOR’s multi-year efforts. Lead MOR’s grant writing efforts with support from the CEO & Artistic Director. Partner with the Development Committee of the Board. Steward high-level relationships with key funders.
Board of Directors: Build trusting and engaging relationships with board members to keep them informed and excited about the organization and maximize their participation in it. In collaboration with the CEO & Artistic Director, support the Board in new member recruitment in order to increase board giving and fundraising capacity over time. Organize and attend Board and Committee meetings.
Financial Management: Serve as the MOR’s lead financial manager, leveraging efficient processes to monitor and report on performance including: supporting the annual budgeting process; providing financial reports for the Board; monitoring cash flow and liquidity; ensuring fiscally responsible policies and procedures; and developing long-term financial plans. Oversee external bookkeeper’s effort including preparation of monthly statements, bi-weekly payrolls, weekly A/P, and annual review materials.
Program Operations: Oversee the execution of MOR’s programs, directing venue management teams, the Executive Assistant, and volunteers who support these efforts, inclusive of concert logistics, artist travel, and program production. Engage external contractors to support this effort if needed due to programmatic expansion. Execute performance agreements negotiated by the CEO & Artistic Director.
Required qualifications
- 5+ years of progressive leadership or management experience, preferably in a non-profit setting.
- A passion for classical repertoire, the development of new works, music history, dramaturgy, or similar.
- An entrepreneurial, resourceful and pragmatic spirit.
- Experience working with industry partners, venues, presenters, or similar, preferably in a performing arts environment.
- Experience leading messaging, marketing, and communications strategies in a performing arts environment.
- Experience in fundraising including grant writing and working board members.
- Attention to detail and nuance in written and verbal communication.
- A mission-driven, strategic thinker, able to make thoughtful decisions when faced with competing priorities.
- Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience in the performing arts, or a related field.
Employment and Compensation:
Salary: $90,000 – 100,000
Start date: Negotiable, Approximately early 2024.
Music of Remembrance’s office is located in Seattle, WA. The Managing Director must be Seattle-based in order to have an in-person presence approximately 2-3 days per week. The Managing Director will travel annually with out-of-town tours, and meet with donors, partners, and institutional funders. A relocation stipend is available for non-Seattle based candidates.
Benefits: Full employer sponsored health insurance (individual) and paid time off inclusive of all federal holidays.
HOW TO APPLY
This search is being facilitated by Syrah Gunning, Director, Executive Development of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management, a leading provider of arts management services, training and thought leadership for arts, cultural, and educational sectors worldwide. Learn more here.
To apply, please upload your resume and answer the questions below HERE.
Why are you interested in this position at this point in your career? What interests you most about MOR’s mission, programs and trajectory?
Please briefly describe your experience developing messaging/marketing strategies, and supporting fundraising efforts.
Please briefly describe your experience producing performing arts programming (such as concerts, operas, festivals, tours, or similar).
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. If you have questions or require accommodation of any kind throughout the process, please email segunning@devosinstitute.net.
Music of Remembrance welcomes inquiries from all interested candidates and encourages individuals identifying as BIPOC, LBGTQIA+, neuro-diverse, and differently-abled to consider the opportunity, as well as individuals who meet some, but not all, criteria and bring relatable experience that they feel would prepare them to excel in the role.
