Join our Team

  • POSITION

    The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and oversees all aspects of the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra's (BSO) operations, including fundraising, marketing, financial management, and community engagement. This role leads strategic and day-to-day activities across community relations, marketing, development, guest artist coordination, finance, grants, administration, and board support.

    Community Relations

    • Serve as the primary ambassador for the BSO and build relationships across the community, including business and civic organizations

    • Maintain strong communication with patrons, partners, government agencies, and the public

    • Represent the BSO at performances, events, and public engagements

    • Promote and articulate the BSO's mission, vision, and community impact

    Marketing and Communications

    • Oversee and develop engaging content for the website and social media platforms

    • Develop and execute seasonal and concert-specific marketing plans

    • Manage advertising, publicity, and promotional campaigns

    • Coordinate with designers and vendors to produce marketing materials

    Development and Fundraising

    • Partner with the Board and fundraising committee to plan and implement fundraising strategies

    • Cultivate donor relationships and identify new prospects

    • Oversee donor stewardship

    • Grow sustained and planned programs of giving

    Guest Artist Coordination

    • Collaborate with the Music Director to support artistic goals and negotiate guest artist agreements

    • Coordinate travel, lodging, and hospitality for guest artists

    • Prepare and manage contracts for guest artists and independent contractors

    Finance and Accounting

    • Manage routine financial operations to include deposits, payments, and concert-related transactions

    • Work with the bookkeeper/CPA to ensure accurate financial records and compliance with regulations

    • Monitor financial performance and collaborate with the Finance Committee

    • Support development of the annual budget and financial policies

    Grant Management

    • Work with the grants committee to identify and pursue grant opportunities

    • Oversee grant compliance, implementation, and evaluation

    Administration and Operations

    • Manage musician contracts and required documentation

    • Maintain databases for ticketing, donations, and advertising

    • Oversee office operations, supplies, records, and archives

    • Handle communications, including phone, email, and mail inquiries

    • Coordinate concert logistics, including setup, volunteers, and materials

    • Maintain organizational calendars, records, and internal documents

    Board Relations

    • Attend and support Board and committee meetings

    • Update the Board of organizational performance and key activities

    • Assist with board development, recruitment, and training

    Work Schedule

    This is a salaried, exempt position with flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends. The role requires 32 hours per week on average with approximately 16-20 hours per week in the BSO office and close collaboration with contractors and stakeholders. The minimum salary for this position is $41,000/year.

    Required Qualifications:

    • Collaborative, process-oriented approach

    • Strong organizational, multitasking, and project management skills

    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

    • Interest in the arts and nonprofit work

    • Proficiency in standard office and database software

    • Valid driver's license

    Preferred Qualifications:

    • Bachelor's degree

    • Experience in nonprofit leadership, governance, or management

    • Background in fundraising, marketing, and/or grant writing

    • Familiarity with financial management and reporting

    • Experience managing websites and social media platforms

    To apply, please submit a resume, a cover letter expressing your interest and qualifications for the position, and contact information for three relevant references via email to bso@bemidjisymphony.org. Screening of applications begins May 11, 2026. Position open until filled. Desired start date is June 15, 2026.

  • The Bemidji Symphony Orchestra’s mission is to excel in perseverance, dedication, and inclusiveness, creating high-quality orchestral experiences that inspire audiences and musicians of northern Minnesota.

    The Bemidji Symphony Orchestra (BSO), a community-based regional orchestra now in its 87th season, seeks a part-time office assistant to work in partnership with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors. This is a part-time (9-10 hours/week) position with flexible daytime hours.

    POSITION
    The outreach assistant reports to the BSO Executive Director. Duties are mostly office related and donor/constituent-related tasks. A driver's license and a car are necessary to complete some chores. Duties include recording and acknowledging donations, updating constituent information, scanning and uploading files and documents, maintaining confidentiality, and picking up and delivering materials locally. Familiarity with spreadsheets (Excel) and database concepts is needed. 

    This person is expected to work from the BSO office (521 Minnesota Ave NW, Bemidji), providing consistent staffing a few hours per day for 2-3 days per week. Local driving to the post office, First National Bank, Arrow Printing, and distributing concert posters is necessary. 

    Typical duties include:

    • Data entry into Excel spreadsheets

    • Organizing, scanning, and uploading files

    • Updating contacts and email lists

    • Seasonally preparing and sending mailings

    • Helping at concert with ticket sales, etc. 


    Compensation
    Hourly salary of $20 per hour, maximum of 10 hours per week

    Application Process
    Submit a letter of interest, names and contact information for 2 references, and a resumé as a Microsoft Word file or as a pdf file with your first and last name in the file name to the BSO Search Committee at bso@bemidjisymphony.org. Review of applications will begin February 23, 2026. Applications will be welcomed until the position is filled.

  • BSO Board Members actively contribute their time and talents to the organization because they share a passion for live orchestral music, believe in the importance of arts and its contributions to the quality of life in our community and beyond, and have a desire to make a positive and lasting difference in the arts culture of the Bemidji area. Board members typically serve a three-year term and there are no term limits. 

    Values shared by BSO board members:
    1. Embracing intelligent risk-taking in its music programming.
    2. Inviting quality collaboration toward mutual goals and a willingness to explore a variety of partners and/or musical genres toward this end.
    3. The BSO’s administrative/operational side exhibits integrity and professionalism, demonstrating competence, reliability and consistency within the organization and to the broader constituency.
    4. The BSO is accountable internally to its musicians, staff, and board, and externally to audiences, donors, and the communities it serves.
    5. Actively considering issues and elements of equity and inclusion in its decision-making processes and organizational practices. It exhibits an openness that encourages awareness of vulnerabilities and biases.

    If you are interested in joining the board, send a letter of interest via email to bso@bemidjisymphony.org