DSO Summer 2025 Microinternship, Discography & Recordings Web Page Project

The College of Music in partnership with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra has summer microinternships to distribute to College of Music students. Each microintern will be a “project consultant” for the DSO–completing 1 project in the field of arts administration on behalf of the DSO. Microintern recipients will be paid $600 via project pay through the MSU College of Music.

DSO Discography and Recordings Web Page Project Description

Department: Communications

Payment amount: $600 per project, paid by the MSU College of Music

Work Location: Remote

Dates this project could be completed: 

May 5 – May 30, 2025 (mid-May to mid-June is possible if needed)

The Organization: 

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is known internationally for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep commitment to serving our community. Making its home in historic Orchestra Hall at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, the DSO actively pursues its vision to be an inclusive and culturally relevant community where all people can experience their world through music.

The DSO is a complex organization. Operating 365 days per year in historic Orchestra Hall, one of America’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, we are a performing arts institution, an educational facility, and a community center. We are governed by an independent Board of Directors and employ both union and non-union employees as musicians, stage crew, and administrative staff. Creating a unified culture throughout the institution is an organizational imperative, and we are guided by our values of excellence, diversity, resilience, collaboration, and innovation.

The DSO’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is paramount to who we are; we work to create an environment where all employees are seen, valued, and supported to enable their best every day. This is essential as we pursue our mission to impact lives through unforgettable musical experiences by sustaining a world class orchestra for the city of Detroit and the global community.

The DSO offers a unique, fast-paced working environment, an excellent overall compensation package, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information visit www.dso.org.

Project description: 

· The DSO recently released its first recording with Music Director Jader Bignamini of Wynton Marsalis’s Blues Symphony on the PENTATONE label. In conjunction with the release and a potential GRAMMY campaign for the recording later this year, the Communications department wants to create a comprehensive discography of all commercial recordings the DSO has released. The orchestra’s first recordings were released as 78rpm vinyl singles by the Victrola label in 1928, so the project would encompass compiling information on nearly a century of DSO records!

· Different sources would be provided to the intern but we also would like some amount of independent research to determine if anything is missing.

· Primary use of the materials would be to make available on the Recordings page of dso.org, currently located here: Recordings | Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Job responsibilities: Include 2-5 bullet points outlining the main job responsibilities associated with the project

· Kick-off meeting and weekly check-ins with Communications staff to review project progress

· Create spreadsheet with pre-determined fields (conductor, soloist, repertoire, year, label, etc.)

· Independent research on internet and other sources to find potentially missing information

· (If time allows) Draft introductory language for DSO website introducing the discography and highlighting its importance

Outcomes: 

· Over the course of four weeks, compile a comprehensive DSO discography of specific data from a variety of sources

· Intern will have the opportunity to learn about the different roles and responsibilities involved in effective communications for a forward-thinking arts organization

Skillsets to be learned/solidified through the project:

· Project management experience

· Attention to detail

· Understanding of orchestra recording history

· Research skills

· Ability to work independently toward the goal

· Communication with colleagues on progress

· (If time allows) Creative writing

Additional Information: 
· Knowledge of classical music and orchestra repertoire is preferred

· Basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel appreciated

· The project can be completely virtual with remote check-ins done via Zoom or Microsoft Teams

Physical Requirements: 

· This role primarily works in an office environment and frequently has prolonged periods of sitting and looking at a computer screen.

Position Reports to: 

Public Relations Manager