Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra

Celebrating 36 years of Excellence in Music Education!

Dr. Patrycja Pieczara :: Philharmonia Conductor

Dr. Patrycja Pieczara :: Philharmonia Conductor

Dr. Pieczara brings to the PVYO team her extensive experience in leading youth orchestras across Europe and the United States.
Throughout her career, she has conducted and mentored youth ensembles of various levels, including the Music Academy Symphony Orchestra in Krakow, Poland, the Krakow Youth Philharmonia, L’Orchestre Atelier Ostinato in Paris, and youth ensembles affiliated with the Royal Academy, Royal College, and Trinity College of Music in London, UK. In addition to Dr. Pieczara’s experience with youth orchestras, she has worked with many renowned orchestras across the globe including the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Polish National Radio Symphony, and others.

As an educator, Dr. Pieczara was Assistant Professor and Music Director at Poland’s leading Music Academy in Krakow where she worked to develop and manage orchestral training curricula and created comprehensive, skill-based programs for her students. Learn more about Dr. Pieczara on her website.
Now that she has relocated to the United States, Dr. Pieczara is committed to inspiring young musicians through thoughtful programming, dynamic rehearsals, and outstanding performances in the Washington D.C. region. We are extremely excited about the wealth of knowledge, experience, and care Dr. Pieczara will bring to our community and students!

Assistant to Concert Band Conductor

Job Opportunity | Deadline: September 2, 2023

Job Title: Assistant to Concert Band Conductor

Reports to: Concert Band Conductor

Primary Purpose: Help the conductor enhance the musical instruction and development of the ensemble. Specific duties include:

-Regularly coaching sectionals within the rehearsal framework, as well as pullouts as needed, with a focus on woodwind sections
-Walking around the ensemble to maintain a constructive, educational environment
-Conducting the full ensemble as needed during rehearsals to allow the conductor to observe the ensemble
-Marking score for errors when not otherwise engaged
-Assisting with seating auditions
-Listening to any virtually submitted playing requests as needed
-Assisting with communications among the principal conductor, ensemble manager, and students on specific rehearsal issues
-Assisting with setting up and tearing down the rehearsal room as needed
-Filling in for missing percussion or other instrumentation if needed

Duty Schedule: Six weekly rehearsals per semester on Tuesday evenings, approximately every second week (*), plus two concerts per year (typically May and December). Willingness to communicate during the week with the principal conductor. Must have own transportation.

Educational Qualifications/Certification: Bachelor’s degree in music from an accredited college or university preferred. Strong candidates enrolled in an ongoing music degree program would be considered.

Special Knowledge/Skills: Knowledge of instrumental techniques, particularly of woodwinds; musical coaching skills and knowledge of rehearsal techniques; conducting skills; ability to work well with middle school aged teenagers of high skills and varying backgrounds; ability to work well with adults, both peers and supervisors.; familiarity with percussion instruments would be a plus.

Compensation: This is an annual contract position. Pay commensurate with experience.

Applicants are requested to submit a 1-2 page resume and clearly indicate that they are applying to the Concert Band Assistant Conductor position.

To apply or for inquiries, contact:
William Hollin
PVYO Music Director
philharmonia.pvyo@gmail.com

* PVYO currently is filling a newly-created position for a Wind Ensemble Assistant Conductor. Because both the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band Assistant Conductor positions require attendance at half of the semester’s rehearsals (approximately every second week) and are on different days, applicants for the position with the Concert Band may also apply for the Wind Ensemble position.

 

Assistant to Wind Ensemble Conductor

Job Opportunity | Deadline: September 2, 2023

Job Title: Assistant to Wind Ensemble Conductor

Reports to: Wind Ensemble Conductor

Primary Purpose: Help the conductor enhance the musical instruction and
development of the ensemble. Specific duties include:

-Regularly coaching sectionals within the rehearsal framework, as well as pullouts as needed, with a focus on woodwind sections
-Walking around the ensemble to maintain a constructive, educational environment
-Conducting the full ensemble as needed during rehearsals to allow the conductor to observe the ensemble
-Marking score for errors when not otherwise engaged
-Assisting with seating auditions
-Listening to any virtually submitted playing requests as needed
-Assisting with the communication among the principal conductor, ensemble manager, and students on specific rehearsal issues
-Assisting with setting up and tearing down the rehearsal room as needed
-Filling in for missing percussion or other instrumentation if needed

Duty Schedule: 6 weekly rehearsals per semester on Monday evenings approximately every second week (*), plus two concerts per year (typically May and December). Willingness to communicate during the week with the principal conductor. Must have own transportation.

Educational Qualifications/Certification: Bachelor’s degree in music from an accredited college or university preferred. Strong candidates enrolled in an ongoing music degree program would be considered.

Special Knowledge/Skills:  Knowledge of instrumental techniques, particularly for woodwinds; musical coaching skills and knowledge of rehearsal techniques; conducting skills; ability to work well with high school aged teenagers of high skills and varying backgrounds; ability to work well with adults, both peers and supervisors; familiarity with percussion instruments is a plus.

Compensation: This is an annual contract position. Pay commensurate with experience.

Applicants are requested to submit a 1-2 page resume and clearly indicate that they are applying to the Wind Ensemble Assistant Conductor position.

To apply or for inquiries, contact:
William Hollin
PVYO Music Director
philharmonia.pvyo@gmail.com

* PVYO currently is filling a newly-created position for a Concert Band Assistant Conductor. Because both the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band Assistant Conductor positions require attendance at half of the semester’s rehearsals (approximately every second week) on different days, applicants for the position with the Wind Ensemble may also apply for the Concert Band position.