Youth Orchestra Administrative Apprentice

Work Status: Part-Time, Non-Exempt

Location: Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA

Hourly Rate: $20.25

About the Organization

The San Francisco Symphony is among the most adventurous and innovative arts institutions in the United States, celebrated for its artistic excellence, creative performance concepts, award-winning recordings, and standard-setting education and community engagement programs. Established in 1911, the Symphony has grown in acclaim under distinguished music directors including Henry Hadley, Alfred Hertz, Pierre Monteux, Seiji Ozawa, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Esa-Pekka Salonen.

The San Francisco Symphony presents over 200 concerts annually for an audience of nearly 350,000. Its education and community programs engage more than 25,000 students annually through free music education experiences in the San Francisco Unified School District. The Symphony was the first American orchestra to launch its own in-house record label, SFS Media, and its radio broadcasts have carried the Orchestra’s concerts nationwide since 1926. The Symphony has received 19 ASCAP awards, France’s Grand Prix du Disque, Britain’s Gramophone Award, and 17 Grammy® Awards.

About the Role

The Youth Orchestra Administrative Apprentices support the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra (SFSYO) through project assistance and office administration, including production of materials, maintenance of databases and mailing lists, rehearsal/concert coverage, audition processes, and other projects. These positions interact frequently with SFSYO musicians, the SFSYO Director, Music Librarian, Music Director, SFS musicians serving as Youth Orchestra faculty, and other SFS staff.

The role is part-time, not to exceed 19 hours per week, with weekend hours during SFSYO services, midweek remote work, and occasional in-office days. The schedule is hybrid and negotiable.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support for the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, working primarily with the SFSYO Director.
• Manage attendance tracking.
• Assist with administration of entrance and seating auditions.
• Administer Instrument Care Program.
• Coordinate periodic YO Chamber performances throughout the season.
• Run weekly ticket lottery for SF Symphony concerts.
• Act as point of contact for SFSYO musicians at all services including rehearsals, concerts, auditions, etc.
• Plan and proctor the annual SFSYO Concerto Competition.
• Field inquiries from prospective members, alumni, parents, etc.
• Assist with ad hoc projects as assigned, including supporting the YO Music Librarian if required.

Requirements

• Experience with Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, etc.) and Google Drive (Sheets, Forms, etc.) is preferred.
• Basic familiarity with orchestral music is essential.
• Ability to work as part of a team and with a wide range of people including SFSYO members aged 11–21, SFSYO parents, professional orchestra musicians, and fellow SFS staff.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and maintain a sliding focus as needed.
• Interest in arts administration and/or education is a plus.

Schedule

• Hybrid schedule with weekend hours during SFSYO services, including periodic evening services.
• Remote work midweek, schedule negotiable.
• Occasional in-office days outside of SFSYO services as necessary.
• Not to exceed 19 hours per week.

Pay

Hourly Rate: $20.25

Working Relationships

The position interacts most frequently with:

• YO Director
• YO Music Director
• YO Music Librarian
• Fellow YO Apprentice(s)
• YO musicians aged 11–21
• SFS musicians serving as YO faculty