This audition will be held on April 28 and 29, 2026.

The Associate Concertmaster is the second chair within the first violin section and has right of first refusal for all services requiring the position. They may be offered work in other titled chairs, including Concertmaster. In addition, the Associate Concertmaster serves as an Artist in Residence (AIR) with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO), performing as First Violin of the Burdick-Thorne String Quartet on various chamber music concert series. AIRs also dedicate significant time to the KSO’s extensive education and community engagement activities as teaching artists, in both group and individual settings.

Artists in Residence are required to reside within 20 miles of downtown Kalamazoo; the position offer will be contingent upon the audition winner relocating to the Kalamazoo area, if they do not already reside there. The KSO is the primary employer of AIRs with first priority on their availability, including daytime availability. However, the KSO encourages AIRs to be active musicians in the region and is dedicated to working with musicians to explore additional opportunities. AIR musicians are guaranteed at least one day off per week and a weekly maximum of 8 services.

The KSO’s performance calendar runs September – August, with the majority of services occurring between Labor Day and Memorial Day.

Compensation and Benefits (2026-27 rates):
-Yearly salary of $33,429.95; additional overscale pay possible for any services performed as Concertmaster
-200-service maximum per season; compensated at $167.15 per service for any work offered and accepted beyond 200 services per season
-+20% per service for doubling when applicable
-Mileage reimbursement for services more than 20 miles from downtown Kalamazoo: $0.50 per mile starting at 20 miles from downtown Kalamazoo with $72 mileage cap per service day
-$150 towards the cost of in-ear hearing protection
-Minimum 15 paid and 5 unpaid days off
-Guaranteed 6 paid dark weeks with no mandatory work including 10-day period around Christmas, 5-day period in the Spring, and all of August
-80% of KSO-provided individual health, dental, vision insurance with a cap of $5500. An additional contribution of $1400 toward 2-person or $2000 towards family coverage.
-Short and long-term disability insurance
-Six weeks of paid parental leave at 50% of regular pay within one year of the birth or adoption of a child
-Three days paid bereavement leave
-Voluntary participation in the KSO’s 403(B) TDA retirement plan

Core Position Requirements:
-Adhere to all organizational policies, including those in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Kalamazoo Federation of Musicians, Local 228 and the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Inc.
-Maintain eligibility to work in the United States, including any visas needed (any costs incurred to obtain necessary visa(s) will not be the responsibility of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra)
-Must be able to provide proof of work authorization by the position start date of September 1st, 2026
-Maintain residency within 20 miles of downtown Kalamazoo
-Maintain a professional level of playing
-Ability to hear, understand and comply with both oral and written instructions
-Transportation to and from service locations
-Possible opportunities to serve in other titled chairs, which may include additional duties such as providing bowings
-Periodically serve as ensemble leader for the Burdick-Thorne String Quartet and Education and Community Engagement ensembles, assisting with programming, scheduling, and other elements of chamber music ensemble work
-Attend Artist-in-Residence meetings
-Present or lead educational chamber programs, in English, to students of all ages
-Participate in the Western Michigan University Artist Scholar program including auditions