The organization’s goal is to enrich the lives of young people through the study and performance of music, improving their technical skills while teaching them the virtues of personal development, self-discipline, and working with others.  Musicians in this age range are beginning to make important decisions about their future direction, and the practical life experiences learned at the New York Youth Symphony are pivotal for young people who are just beginning to make judgments about life goals.

The New York Youth Symphony’s tuition-free programs began in 1963 as an orchestra of talented players, ages 12-22, and have since expanded to reach students through offerings of chamber music, apprentice conducting, composition, and jazz band.  More than 240 students are enrolled for the 2009-10 season.

In addition to the 100-member orchestra, the Chamber Music Program provides 28 ensembles with coaching from, among many others, members of the Tokyo, Shanghai, and Orion String Quartets and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.  Jazz Band Classic hosts soloists and clinics with major artists such as Joe Lovano, Benny Powell, and Warren Vaché, and gives sold-out performances in Symphony Space and Jazz at Lincoln Center.  The ground-breaking Making Score sessions for young composers features guest lecturers such as John Corigliano, Philip Glass, John Harbison, Midori, Steve Reich, and Stephen Sondheim.  First Music was initiated in 1984 and is the New York Youth Symphony’s project for commissioning America’s best emerging composers under age 30.  It has been acknowledged widely as one of the leading forces in the United States for bringing the work of gifted young composer to the public’s attention.

Responsibilities:

I. Recruitment

Devise a strategy to increase enrollment  

Mail recruitment packages to teachers and posters to students

Work with DOP to design and coordinate the delivery of materials to summer camps, schools, etc.

II. Marketing

Assist in designing Patron e-blast campaigns

Create a web strategy that will help us reach our target audience

Implement a plan to increase attendance for Queens performances

Assist DOP in creating a marketing plan for the 2011-12 season

Strategize on how we might increase earned revenue

III. Advertising (Handbook and Symphony Space Programs)

Research and expand potential advertisers for the 2011-12 season

Propose improvements to advertising strategy with an eye towards increasing revenue

IV. Database Overhaul

Devise a system for entering and extracting information from our database

Recode categories from our master control list to suit our current needs

Restructure how the NYYS interfaces with FileMaker Pro

Help devise a system to clean data

No weekend or evening work.  The intern will have a workstation with a computer and access to all office equipment and supplies.  S/he will work within a communal office space that will include an Marketing & Development Assistant, Administrative Director and possibly a design intern.

The successful intern will have a passion for music and arts administration. 

S/he will be comfortable working for a small organization that will provide exposure to various areas in non-profit management with a focus on audience development and general marketing.

Supervisor: Louise Lau, Marketing & Development Assistant
llau@nyys.org
212-581-5933

The supervisor will work in close proximity to the intern and staff. The intern will meet with the DOP at least twice per week to discuss the direction of each project and to provide a status update.

To Apply
Please submit cover letter, résumé, and two work references to Louise Lau at llau@nyys.org.  Please include "Intern" in the subject line.