About Symphonic Jazz Orchestra
Symphonic Jazz Orchestra (SJO) is a Los Angeles County nonprofit that makes music accessible through music education and live performance. Its 68-member ensemble brings together jazz and classical traditions, presenting free and low-cost concerts at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.
SJO’s Music in the Schools program provides yearlong, classroom-based music education to students in under-resourced public schools across Los Angeles County. Professional teaching artists deliver sequential instruction that builds musical knowledge, creativity, ensemble skills, and cultural understanding. During the 2025-26 school year, the program served more than 2,800 students across 12 public schools.
As SJO approaches its 25th anniversary, the organization is expanding its middle-school programming, strengthening its financial sustainability, and growing its Board to support its next chapter.
Our Mission
Our mission is to make music accessible to all by connecting people to meaningful musical experiences through education and live performance.
About the Board
Symphonic Jazz Orchestra is seeking six to eight new members to join its Board of Directors. Candidates must be based in the Los Angeles area. Board members provide strategic guidance and oversight, strengthen SJO’s financial foundation, build relationships, and serve as ambassadors for music education and live performance. This is a volunteer leadership position. The Board meets four times per year in person in Culver City. Members may participate virtually when needed. Board service also includes engagement between meetings through fundraising, committee or working-group activities, and organizational events. We welcome thoughtful, engaged candidates who care about expanding access to music. A professional background in music or prior board service is not required.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Governance and Strategic Direction: Help establish organizational priorities and provide oversight that advances SJO’s mission and long-term sustainability.
- Financial Oversight: Review and approve budgets, monitor financial performance, and support responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
- Fundraising and Resource Development: Help secure financial support through personal giving, donor introductions, cultivation, sponsorship outreach, stewardship, and fundraising initiatives.
- Ambassadorship and Community Engagement: Introduce SJO to new audiences, partners, and supporters, and communicate the value of its educational and artistic work.
- Committee Participation: Contribute to committees, working groups, or specific board initiatives based on organizational needs and individual expertise.
- Organizational Accountability: Help monitor organizational performance and ensure that programs and priorities remain aligned with SJO’s mission.
- Legal and Ethical Stewardship: Uphold the Board’s fiduciary responsibilities, disclose conflicts of interest, maintain confidentiality, and support responsible governance.
Qualifications
Ideal candidates will bring:
- A commitment to accessible music education and live performance.
- Professional, volunteer, community, or lived experience that contributes meaningfully to SJO’s work.
- Sound judgment, integrity, and accountability.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
- A willingness to contribute time, expertise, relationships, and resources.
- Readiness to participate actively in fundraising and organizational advocacy.
- Residence in the Los Angeles area.
Prior nonprofit board experience is welcome but not required.
Needed Areas of Experience
Our current recruitment priorities include:
- Accounting and Financial Expertise: A CPA who can strengthen the Board’s financial oversight, budgeting, and understanding of nonprofit financial reporting.
- Legal Expertise: An attorney who can contribute a legal perspective to governance, organizational policies, contracts, and risk oversight.
- Philanthropic Leadership and Connections: Individuals with the capacity to make significant personal contributions and/or established relationships with prospective major donors, foundations, or corporate supporters.
- Fundraising Experience: Individuals with experience planning and executing donor campaigns, organizing fundraising drives, cultivating major gifts, or broadening an organization’s donor base.
- Music Industry Expertise: Individuals with experience in the recording, film/tv, concerts, or music publishing.
Candidates are not expected to bring every qualification. We seek complementary strengths and a shared commitment to SJO’s mission.
Board Commitment
Board members are expected to:
- Attend four regular Board meetings per year, held in person in Culver City, with virtual participation available when needed.
- Prepare for meetings by reviewing materials in advance.
- Contribute to a committee, working group, or agreed board initiative.
- Participate in SJO concerts and other organizational activities as appropriate.
- Support fundraising, donor engagement, and community relationship-building.
- Serve an initial term of three years.
- Prioritize the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra in your philanthropy and make an annual financial contribution that is personally meaningful to you.
How to Express Interest
We welcome anyone who is interested in learning more about serving on our Board.
