Sarasota Music Festival Operations Internship

January 18 – April 30, 2027 (remote) & June 3 – June 20, 2027 (in-person)

Sarasota Orchestra is currently seeking one intern to support the Sarasota Music Festival. The intern will have the opportunity to actively learn about many aspects of festival planning and operational functions necessary for coordinating a classical chamber music festival. This is an outstanding opportunity that will provide the selected intern with valuable experience and knowledge in arts administration.

Internship Summary

The Festival intern will work closely with the Director of Artistic Operations to support the implementation and planning of day-to-day activities of the Festival. The Festival intern’s primary function is to ensure that a variety of events (rehearsals, concerts, masterclasses, community outreach) run smoothly. The Festival intern is expected to orient to and learn about the festival processes overall.

Key responsibilities

Work with the Director of Artistic Operations to coordinate the fellow application and audition process
Draft correspondence from Sarasota Music Festival to applicants, accepted fellows, and faculty
Collate and organize fellow data collected via the Festival Portal, including repertoire, housing, and dietary preferences
With Director of Artistic Operations, create a dynamic, updatable digital Festival schedule accessible by faculty, fellows, and staff
Organize travel logistics for fellows and faculty
Support the efforts of the Artistic Coordinator to ensure artist hospitality needs are met
Facilitate Festival registration and orientation
Interface with artistic personnel, administrative staff, Festival Fellows, donors, and patrons
Liaise with the Marketing department to coordinate radio and television interviews and assist with social media efforts
Collaborate with the Development team to staff the Festival Pass desk, interacting with donors and patrons, and special guests
Attend meetings as suggested by the Director of Artistic Operations in preparation and orientation for the Sarasota Music Festival.
Provide on-the-ground assistance with Fellow community outreach performances

Additional duties will be discussed individually to tailor the experience to the intern’s interests and skills.

Required Skills/Attributes

Must be organized, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize multiple projects at the same time
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work in fast-paced environment with a variety of personalities
Valid driver’s license with 3+ years driving experience and willingness to operate large passenger van

Preferred Qualifications

Graduate student in arts administration
Bachelor’s degree in music or arts
Background in classical music with strong knowledge of chamber repertoire
Interest in pursuing arts administration as a career

Applicants must be able to commit to the entire internship beginning January 18 and concluding June 20, 2027. Specific work dates and time-off can be coordinated with the selected candidate, but this opportunity is for one internship.

Schedule

Remote Internship – February 1 – April 30, 2027 (96 hours, average 8 hrs./week with one week off for spring break)

In-Person Internship - June 3 – June 20, 2027 (114 hours, average 45 hrs./week)

Hours for the remote portion of the internship are flexible, but ideally would occur with regularity. In-person hours vary based on the daily Festival schedule and needs. The Festival hours of operation are 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM Mon.-Sat. and 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM on Sunday.

Compensation

$15/hr

Housing, Meals, and Transportation

Sarasota Music Festival will provide housing within walking distance to Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center for the in-person portion of the internship. Lunch and dinner are provided Monday-Saturday. Transportation to and from Sarasota is the responsibility of the intern.

College Credit

Upon timely request, Sarasota Music Festival is happy to complete necessary paperwork for the intern to receive college internship credit through the intern’s college or university.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this internship, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, and use hands to finger, handle or feel. Repetitive motion is required while using a computer. The intern is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures and viewing a computer terminal. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions

The internship operates in a professional environment including office and performance hall settings. The environment is generally moderate in temperature and noise level.

About Sarasota Music Festival

Applicants from top music programs at colleges and conservatories worldwide audition for a limited number of fellowships to participate in the Festival each year. These exceptional musicians work side-by-side with a group of guest faculty artists. On any given day during the Festival, a fellow will rehearse in chamber ensembles with their peers and have the coveted opportunity to play side-by-side with Festival faculty. Fellows will also perform in the Festival orchestra and participate in workshops and seminars.

Co-founded by Paul Wolfe, the Sarasota Music Festival began in 1965 as a one-week event with seven guest mentors. In just two years, the Festival grew to three weeks and was drawing students from across the United States. Over the years, the Festival continued to expand and receive national and international attention. In 1984 it was designated by the Florida State Legislature as the "Official Teaching and Performing Festival of the State of Florida." In 2016 Jeffrey Kahane was appointed the Festival's music director, and his tenure concluded in 2025.

Faculty artists include many of the Festival's own alumni and represent nearly all major American orchestras and a cross-section of renowned music schools, conservatories, and institutes of music. The fellows range from professional-level musicians to superior students from music schools and conservatories. Several travel from other countries to participate.

Festival audiences are spellbound by a wide variety of concert experiences, including several Chamber Showcase performances as well as a Festival Orchestra finale performance.

Questions about the Festival internship should be directed to the Director of Artistic Operations, Olivia Steinman Deems ([email protected]).

Sarasota Orchestra is an Equal Opportunity Employer.