Ravinia, North America's oldest music festival, stands today as its most musically diverse, presenting over 140 different events throughout the summer. These concerts run the gambit from Yo-Yo Ma to John Legend to the annual summer residency of the nation's finest orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Ravinia's Steans Music Institute is our summer conservatory for young professional classical and jazz musicians. 

The 36-acre park is nestled in a gently wooded area that makes it an enchanting place to experience music. Guests can bring their own picnics or eat at one of the park restaurants.

Our Mission

As a nonprofit organization, community outreach and music education initiatives are our mission. Over 75,000 people are served through Ravinia's Reach*Teach*Play programs each year, ensuring that great music remains accessible to all. Ravinia's Steans Music Institute, Ravinia Festival's summer music conservatory, grants young professional musicians unfettered access to the world's greatest faculty members and masterclass opportunities.

Dates of Employment: Late May through end of August 2018

Ravinia Festival seeks energetic and dedicated staff for its summer conservatory, Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute. The Institute offers employees the unique opportunity to participate in many aspects of performance production while developing relationships with the young artists and faculty in residence at Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute. The fellows are typically conservatory and university students at the beginning of their professional careers and the faculty includes several Ravinia performers and world-renowned musicians. These positions are highly coveted, and many past RSMI employees have gone on to obtain full-time employment with major arts organizations.

More information about Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute is available at http://www.ravinia.org/page/Steans

Duties:
Production Assistant is a time-intensive position including work during nights and weekends. This position reports to the Administrative Director of the Institute and works closely with the Operations Manager and all other RSMI staff to perform all aspects of Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute’s daily operations, including:

• Artist transportation
• Assisting artists with errands
• Meal orders and pick-up
• Rehearsal video and audio recording (no experience necessary)
• Stage management and backstage duties during master classes and performances
• Producing concert and masterclass program inserts
• Maintaining building tidiness and organization
• Monitoring upkeep on Ravinia-owned houses
• Assisting with accommodation set-up and booking for fellows and faculty
• Responding to and prioritizing artist requests, general office administrative work, and other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Must follow instructions and procedures accurately.
• Upbeat personality with very positive attitude.
• Demonstrated ability to work well as part of a team and independently.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Clean driving record.
• Punctuality and ability to work outside of normal business hours.
• In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Office and superior word-processing skills.
• Must have or be able to establish either a permanent or summer residence in the greater Chicago area.

Ideal candidates will also be able to offer some of the following skills and experience:

• Knowledge of Chicago attractions, roadways, and public transportation
• Specific knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Excellent customer service or residence assistant experience
• Knowledge of sound and/or video recording
• Stage management and lighting experience
• Knowledge of the musical repertoire studied at RSMI, particularly instrumental chamber music and art song

Compensation:

• Hourly wage based on experience
• May be able to use for class credit

No phone calls or emails, please.

Prospective candidates will be contacted beginning March 1 for interviews.

Application deadline: May 1, 2018

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS MUST ATTACH A COVER LETTER, RESUME, AND COPY OF THEIR DRIVING RECORD. All hiring is conditional on receiving an approved background check. Please no phone calls or emails.

**State of Illinois Driving Records available at your local Secretary of State’s Office for a nominal fee.