Music Curator Job at Bronx Arts Ensemble in New York

The Bronx Arts Ensemble is seeking a Music Curator to curate concert programming focused on chamber music for a performance season of 30-35 concerts, united by a theme.

The ideal candidate will be an actively performing musician with extensive knowledge of chamber music composed by living and neglected composers.

Role And Responsibilities

• Curate repertoire for various configurations of the BAE chamber music ensemble, including woodwind quintet, string quartet, and mixed ensemble, as well as guest artists.
• Engage with other members of the BAE administrative team, attend weekly team meetings, submit necessary written materials regarding concerts, respond to administrative deadlines, and be present at BAE performances to act as host for concerts and relay the season's theme and significance to the audience.

Duties

• Repertoire Research and Development: Curate 30-35 individual concert programs for 1-hour-long performances throughout different Bronx communities.
• Utilize knowledge of Bronx communities, venues, and BAE's collaboration with venue partners to design concert programming that supports various Bronx communities.
• Develop relationships with living composers and publishers to acquire music for season performances.
• Explore compositions, establish relationships, and determine if the music is appropriate for the BAE.
• Create program notes and other informational materials.
• Supply the BAE Marketing Team with program notes for print and online materials.
• Attend industry chamber music concerts, conferences, and gatherings to keep pace with current trends in concert programming.

Role In The BAE Concert Department

The Music Curator works collaboratively with the Music Program Manager and Production Team to determine venues for programming, select Bronx-related guest artists, and aid in developing a performance calendar.

Relations with Bronx Arts Ensemble Local 802 Musicians

• Develop programming that presents the ensemble's unique strengths.
• Relay and explain concert program concepts to ensemble members.

Collaborative Work With The Marketing Department

• Provide concert programs and descriptions to the Marketing Department for marketing materials.
• Participate in Marketing Department meetings to discuss strategies to promote concert performances.

Collaborative Work With The Development Department

• Submit a high-level outline of concert programming to the Development Manager for grant applications and final reports.
• Meet deadlines for applications and final reports on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Qualifications And Education Requirements

• Music performance experience, instrumental and/or vocal.
• Knowledge of classical music, jazz, pop, and various music repertoire.
• Network of NYC music performance and composer professionals.
• Undergraduate degree in Music Performance or a related field of study.

Preferred Skills

• Strong communication and office-tech administrative skills.
• Nonprofit Arts Administration experience is a plus.
• Organized, project-driven, and efficient worker able to work independently.
• Familiarity with labor relations, specifically the Local 802 Musicians' Union.
• Google Suite.

This is a part-time hybrid position with an expected 25 work hours a week. Salary: $36,400.

The Music Curator is expected to attend in-person BAE team meetings and concerts.

Hiring Process

The position will be filled through a comprehensive application process encompassing multiple rounds of review.

• Applicants who are invited to the final round will be tasked with programming one concert from conception to execution and will be compensated with a stipend.
• Finalists will work alongside members of the BAE Concert and Marketing departments to execute one concert performance and will be publicly credited as a Guest Music Curator during the BAE 2025-26 concert season.

About BAE

The mission of the Bronx Arts Ensemble is to bring music and related arts to Bronx schools and neighborhoods, contributing to the cultures of our Bronx communities through live performances and innovative arts education.