Apprenticeships
Conducting Apprenticeship
Score Study, Direct Mentoring, and Podium Time for Emerging Conductors

As part of our Education and Outreach programs, Orchestra Toronto offers five apprenticeships annually to talented and dynamic emerging conductors. This volunteer position provides a unique opportunity for an emerging conductor to advance their skills in an artistically stimulating environment.
Regrettably, owing to the exigencies of COVID-19, we will not be offering any conducting apprenticeships in 2020-21. We hope to resume the programme in 2021-22.
Benefits
- A chance to conduct Orchestra Toronto in rehearsal at the discretion of the Music Director, Michael Newnham
- Score study with our Music Director
- Assist with conducting rehearsals and sectionals
- Formal announcement of the appointment and recognition of the position in Orchestra Toronto publicity
- Exposure to professional operations of a symphony orchestra, including Production, Marketing and Fundraising
- Professional support and mentoring from Executive Director Jennie Worden
Program Applicant Requirements
- an undergraduate degree or commensurate experience in Orchestral Conducting in an academic or professional setting
- a broad knowledge of orchestral repertoire
- availability for Thursday evening rehearsals from 7:30-10:00 at the Meridian Arts Centre
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, and video sample of them conducting (in class, in rehearsal, or in performance) by e-mail or mail to:
Jennie Worden
Executive Director
Orchestra Toronto
5040 Yonge Street
Toronto ON, M2N 6R8
We thank you for your application; however, only selected applicants will be contacted.
As we anticipate that large-group gatherings will once again be feasible in 2021-22, we are pleased to offer the Apprentice Conductor programme for this season.
Concertmaster Apprenticeship

Learn the Concertmaster’s Craft with Corey Gemmell. Orchestra Toronto offers up to five Concertmaster Apprenticeships per season.
Apprentice Concertmasters are exceptional violin students who join the orchestra for one concert cycle (6-8 weeks) to work directly under the tutelage of Concertmaster Corey Gemmell. These apprenticeships give student violinists the opportunity to learn how to perform the concertmaster’s role with confidence.
Interested candidates should submit
- a letter of interest
- a resume
- a link to a video showing themselves playing 1) any Bach unaccompanied violin sonata, 2) solo violin parts from Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, and a short excerpt of them performing in a chamber group (trio, quartet, etc.)
Please email your letter (with video links) and resume to Jennie Worden, Executive Director.
Candidates must be able to commit to all rehearsals in their designated concert cycle (Thursday evenings, 7:30 – 10:00 p.m.) and to the concert date (rehearsals + performance expect a full day).