New Jersey Symphony Colton Conducting Fellowship 2026–27
The New Jersey Symphony is holding auditions for the 2026–27 Colton Conducting Fellowship. This fellowship is an excellence-based program designed to support early-career orchestral conductors whose personal backgrounds and lived experiences bring perspectives not typically represented in professional orchestras. The selected fellow will work under the Music Director, serving as cover conductor on Classical programs and conducting select programs as assigned.
Department: Artistic Operations
Status: One-year appointment with option for renewal. Fellow works alongside the Symphony’s 29-week season.
Reports to: Vice President of Artistic Planning & Operations; Music Director
Salary: $51,000/year
About the New Jersey Symphony
As an integral part of the musical landscape in the country’s most vibrant cultural corridor, the New Jersey Symphony (Symphony) has for over one hundred years continued to enrich lives through a passion for musical excellence and a commitment to New Jersey, its people, and its communities. The Symphony has been recognized by The Wall Street Journal as “a vital, artistically significant musical organization,” led by Music Director Xian Zhang—a “dynamic podium presence”—since 2016. The New York Times has praised Zhang for her “technical abilities, musicianship, and maturity.”
The New Jersey Symphony, with an annual operating budget of more than $17 million and a modest endowment, currently serves as the resident orchestra of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center with additional performance series in four other outstanding venues throughout New Jersey. With more than 140,000 New Jerseyans of all ages enjoying more than 160 concerts, education, and community events each year, and with numerous partnerships with arts organizations, universities, and civic organizations, the Symphony has cultivated broad support, with more than 3,000 loyal patrons donating and subscribing, with thousands more attending each concert weekend.
In addition to its lauded artistic programming, the New Jersey Symphony presents a suite of nationally recognized education and community engagement (ECE) programs that promote meaningful, lifelong engagement with live music, annually serving as many as 60,000 New Jerseyans in nearly all of its 21 counties. Core program offerings include Concerts for Young People; the New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra; Preschool Program; and the touring chamber music program, New Jersey Symphony Community Partners. Through its diverse array of programs, the Symphony expands access to quality music instruction as well as provides vital arts learning experiences that reinforce social and emotional learning outcomes, foster confidence, and bring joy.
Following its 2022–23 Centennial Season, the New Jersey Symphony is riding a wave of momentum as it enters an exciting new phase in history. The Symphony adeptly navigated the pandemic, earning Emmy awards for its virtual concerts featured on NJ PBS; completing its first-ever professional branding engagement with an outside branding agency; and moving to a new ticketing, CRM and eCommerce system, which has resulted in single ticket sales exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
With a new strategic plan, the New Jersey Symphony now embarks on a bold vision for the future, the centerpiece of which will be a new Symphony Center that includes a 550-seat, versatile performance space in Jersey City.
This transformational initiative and expansion into Jersey City will make the organization a community place-maker and will be the largest venue in Jersey City’s Powerhouse Arts District–a city that is on track to surpass Newark as the most populated city in the state. The new 44,000-square-foot Symphony Center will also include space for administrative offices, establish a permanent rehearsal hall for the musicians, and expand performance, education programs and community engagement opportunities. The Symphony Center will diversify earned revenue through rentals and presenting activities, and increase contributed revenue associated with capital projects and expanded community programs. The New Jersey Symphony, which will activate and manage the venue for the City of Jersey City, expects final interior theater construction to be completed for a January 2027 public opening.
About the Role
The 2026–27 New Jersey Symphony Colton Conducting Fellowship is an excellence-based program designed to support early-career orchestral conductors whose personal backgrounds and lived experiences bring perspectives not typically represented in professional orchestras.
The Colton Conducting Fellow reports to the Vice President of Artistic Planning & Operations and the Music Director. Primary duties include rehearsing and conducting select performances as assigned, serving as cover conductor for rehearsals and performances, and acting as a representative of the New Jersey Symphony during other duties as assigned at designated concert and non-concert events. All primary duties are as assigned by the Music Director and Vice President of Artistic Planning & Operations.
The Colton Conducting Fellow will receive mentorship from Music Director Xian Zhang, the orchestra’s Artistic Advisory Committee, and artistic staff.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Serve as cover conductor for a minimum of 12 weeks of Classical subscription concerts plus other concert programs as assigned. This includes personal preparation of all scores and preparedness to step in to replace the scheduled conductor on short notice, as well as conducting off-stage ensembles as required by repertory, serving as score reader for supertitles or other production needs, and listening to rehearsals and performances and consulting with the conductor on balance and other artistic issues.
- Work with Vice President of Artistic Planning & Operations and other New Jersey Symphony artistic and education staff members as needed to develop programs including Education, Family, Pops, and Community concerts. Rehearse and conduct these programs as assigned, including delivering memorized text. The ability to write and deliver comments clearly and effectively from the stage for various concert formats is essential.
- Attend various concert and non-concert events representing the New Jersey Symphony. Participate as directed in planning meetings, media events, fundraising activities, speaking engagements, educational and community engagement opportunities, development meetings and activities, administrative meetings and other activities as determined and identified by the New Jersey Symphony.
Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in conducting or related music field
- Experience conducting a professional orchestra
- Broad knowledge of orchestral repertoire and programming
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with musicians, staff, and a wide range of audience members
- Year-round residency in the NYC metro area preferred, though not required. A travel/relocation stipend is available.
Salary and Benefits
The salary for this position is $51,000. The New Jersey Symphony offers a generous benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance options. The Fellowship also includes an allowance for professional development, travel and preparation for national conductor auditions, as well as for the purchase of scores, clothing, and other equipment needed to sustain a full-time career as a conductor.
To Apply
Apply at the link below by February 23, 2026. The following are required within the application form:
- A one-page resume with your contact info
- 3 professional references
- A short answer (3 sentences) to each of the following questions:
- Please provide one example of how you have engaged diverse communities through music.
- Please describe someone whom you consider to be one of your most important mentors and role models and how you have applied what you have learned from them in both your personal and professional lives.
- How would you use your time as the New Jersey Symphony Colton Conducting Fellow to promote equitable creative excellence that is accessible across the unique communities of New Jersey?
- How do you see this program supporting your long-term career goals?
- 3 links to conducting video samples (no more than 5 minutes each)
Auditions are to be held on April 8, 2026 in Newark, NJ. Invitations will be sent to qualified candidates. Please contact Sydney Swearengin, Artistic Coordinator, at sswearengin@njsymphony.org with any questions.
The New Jersey Symphony celebrates the cultural vibrancy of our communities and builds meaningful relationships that elevate and strengthen them. We seek to create a culture of inclusion and a work environment that values hard work, professionalism and creativity. We are committed to diversity and equal opportunity in our recruitment and hiring. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are welcome to apply for open positions.
The New Jersey Symphony is an equal opportunity employer. No phone calls please.