Description
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Orchestra Kentucky & Ramsey Theatre Company
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Orchestra Kentucky and the Ramsey Theatre Company, both resident companies of the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKYPAC), invite applications for the position of Music Director, beginning with the 2026–27 season.
THE POSITION
The Music Director is the artistic leader of Orchestra Kentucky and serves as the Music Director for the Ramsey Theatre Company, overseeing all musical aspects of both the orchestra and musical theatre productions. The Music Director reports to the President & CEO of SKYPAC and works collaboratively with musicians, production staff, artistic teams, and administrative leadership across both resident companies.
Key responsibilities include:
Artistic planning and repertoire selection for Orchestra Kentucky.
Conducting orchestral concerts, education programs, and special events.
Leading auditions; hiring, evaluating, and seating musicians.
Selecting guest artists and cultivating artistic partnerships.
Serving as a visible, engaged community ambassador.
Music directing and conducting all Ramsey Theatre Company productions, including supervising all musical preparation, leading all music rehearsals, rehearsing the orchestra, conducting performances, and coordinating with the artistic director, directors, choreographers and stage managers.
Demonstrating strong proficiency on piano/keyboards, providing accompaniment for all rehearsals when needed.
Accompanying all local auditions for Ramsey Theatre Company and evaluating musicianship for casting considerations.
Ensuring cohesive musical excellence across both orchestral and theatrical programming.
Participating in long-range artistic planning, marketing, and education initiatives.
Supporting fundraising and donor engagement activities.
ABOUT ORCHESTRA KENTUCKY
Founded in 2000, Orchestra Kentucky presents a dynamic season of pops, family, and educational concerts. As a resident company of SKYPAC, the orchestra performs primarily in the 1,731-seat SKYPAC Rita and Jim Scott Concert Hall, which ranks among Pollstar’s Top 10 venues worldwide in the 1,500–2,500 seat category. Known for its artistic excellence, creative programming, and strong community engagement, Orchestra Kentucky offers 14 concerts each season across two subscription series that together serve nearly 1,600 subscribers. The Retro Series features five concerts celebrating the music of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, performed with singers and band, while the Variety Series comprises five concerts showcasing light classical selections, musical theatre, film scores, and other pops repertoire. Additional special events, holiday performances, and educational programs round out the orchestra’s robust annual offerings, reinforcing its role as a cultural leader in Southern Kentucky.
ABOUT THE RAMSEY THEATRE COMPANY
The Ramsey Theatre Company, founded in 2022, is SKYPAC’s resident professional theatre company, annually producing three high-quality productions featuring local, regional, and national talent. The company presents both classic and contemporary theatre titles and plays a major role in SKYPAC’s mission to provide vibrant performing arts experiences for the region. Opening in mid-2026, the four-story Robert P. Ramsey Annex will house the company’s administrative staff, scene shop, two rehearsal rooms, and artist living quarters.
ABOUT BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY
Bowling Green, Kentucky is one of the fastest growing and most vibrant small cities in America, blending Southern charm with dynamic economic and cultural momentum. Home to Western Kentucky University, a thriving healthcare and manufacturing sector, and world-renowned attractions such as the National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green draws visitors and residents from across the region and beyond. Its historic downtown, expanding arts scene, and diverse dining and entertainment options make it a destination city, while its affordability and exceptional quality of life appeal to families and professionals alike. Located just an hour north of Nashville, Bowling Green offers the best of both worlds—big-city access and amenities paired with a welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere. With rapid population growth, strong civic investment, and a flourishing creative economy, Bowling Green continues to emerge as a cultural and economic hub for South-Central Kentucky.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
Significant conducting experience in both orchestral and musical theatre settings.
Strong piano/keyboard proficiency suitable for rehearsals and performance needs.
Ability to coach singers in preparation for musical theatre performances.
Deep knowledge of musical theatre repertoire, rehearsal processes, and pit coordination.
Proven artistic leadership and programming creativity.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with administrative leadership, stage directors, musicians, and production staff.
Desire to be an active, visible member of the Bowling Green community.
Commitment to education, audience engagement, and artistic excellence.
COMPENSATION
Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. This is a full-time position requiring year-round artistic leadership and on-site presence for rehearsals, performances, and community events.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants should submit:
Cover letter
Resume/CV
Links to recent conducting video (performance and rehearsal)
One musical theatre conducting clip (if available)
Names and contact information for three professional references
Finalists will be required to conduct an Orchestra Kentucky concert. The audition will also include coaching vocalists in musical theatre repertoire.
Applications will be reviewed as received and accepted until the position is filled.
Send materials to:
Jeff Reed, President & CEO, SKYPAC
START DATE
January 1, 2027 (negotiable)
Requirements
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
Significant conducting experience in both orchestral and musical theatre settings.
Strong piano/keyboard proficiency suitable for rehearsals and performance needs.
Ability to coach singers in preparation for musical theatre performances.
Deep knowledge of musical theatre repertoire, rehearsal processes, and pit coordination.
Proven artistic leadership and programming creativity.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with administrative leadership, stage directors, musicians, and production staff.
Desire to be an active, visible member of the Bowling Green community.
Commitment to education, audience engagement, and artistic excellence.
