Concert Hall Manager

Working Schedule

• Concert Hall Managers have hectic schedules that often involve working late nights, weekends, and holidays. Larger theaters usually offer full-time jobs, whereas smaller venues may only need a part-time manager, depending on how frequently events are hosted. 

Typical Duties

• Assist with finding and contacting artists, managers, or talent agencies and arranging contracts
• Oversee and coordinate concert programs and bookings
• Collaborate with orchestra personnel managers and musicians, as needed, to ensure they have everything they’ll need
• Act as liaison between musicians and stage crew
• Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure proper equipment is budgeted for and procured, including extra instruments, chairs, stands, stage lighting, etc.
• Oversee deliveries of equipment and production assets 
• Call in instrument tuners, as needed
• Be available during all rehearsals, setups, and teardowns
• Work with the directors or conductors to arrange orchestra member setting
• Arrange parking passes for all musicians
• Help to schedule auditions and reserve audition spaces
• Ensure orchestra and other concert events are executed efficiently and without problems
• Train and manage stagehands, including payroll. Schedule stagehand and audio crew dry runs
• Train and supervise staff and volunteers such as ticket-takers, greeters, and ushers
• Plan ahead for emergencies, including injuries, medical emergencies, fires, or other circumstances that may arise
• Oversee proper storage and care of instruments and equipment
• Maintain keys for all doors and be familiar with electrical, HVAC, and plumbing operations  
• Check the concert hall to make sure it is clean and secure prior to lockup
• Serve as a general facilities manager overseeing maintenance workers, janitors, and cleaners 
• Work with applicable tradespeople to renovate and restore venues, when needed

Additional Responsibilities

• Assess any special production needs
• Gather performer bios and promotional photos
• Manage a calendar of upcoming events for the public to view
• Help to advertise events and secure sales
• Ensure comp (free) tickets are made available to musicians for their guests when needed
• Serve on committees to review performance ideas
• Meet with interested external clients who want to rent the venue
• Develop venue usage policies and ensures compliance with safety regulations 
• Ensure exits are clearly marked and unobstructed 
• Help coordinate security personnel actions, as needed

Soft Skills

• Ability to multitask
• Budget-conscious 
• Detail-oriented
• Empathy
• Excellent supervisory skills 
• Extremely organized
• Flexible 
• Goal-oriented
• Initiative
• Methodical 
• Observant
• Patient
• Punctual 
• Safety-focused
• Sound judgment and decision-making
• Strong communication skills 
• Time management 

Technical Skills

• Ability to lift ~50 lbs
• Knowledge of classic music, player roles, and instruments
• Knowledge of live production events
• Familiarity with advertising and marketing within the entertainment industry 
• Basic computer and IT skills, including knowledge of audiovisual equipment
• General understanding of facilities management and emergency/safety protocols, including local, state, and federal regulations 
• First aid and CPR
• Understanding of utilities and entertainer contracts

• Public and private concert halls and related venues, including ones maintained on college campuses

Concert Hall Managers have a huge list of duties to perform, and most of them are barely known by the musicians and guests. Thus, their hard work may sometimes go unnoticed. While they may not receive much public appreciation for their efforts, their job is nonetheless vital to ensuring that concerts and other events go off without a hitch! 

With a million little things that could go wrong, they must be master planners who can foresee and mitigate any potential issues. These can range from logistical problems (such as not having enough chairs for orchestra members) to personnel problems (like not having a backup in case a lighting crew member gets sick). 

Because of rehearsals, hall preparation, and teardown and cleanup activities, the hours for this job can be long and erratic, with plenty of late nights and weekend work!

One of the biggest things to impact the live event industry in recent years has been Covid-19. Social distancing, mask requirements, and in some cases, proof of vaccination have altered how venues book seating. While those protocols have relaxed to some extent, Covid variants continue to plague society and several venues continue to take precautions to help prevent the spread of germs. 

Another trend has been the ongoing frustration with resellers buying up seats and offering tickets at significantly marked-up prices. Artists and concertgoers alike are rallying to demand more regulation to stop this unsavory but extremely widespread practice. While Concert Hall Managers can’t do much about it, they can join the chorus to rail against resellers.

Concert Hall Managers don’t necessarily have musical backgrounds, but they do often have experience working behind the scenes with stage productions. They might have enjoyed helping out as lighting assistants or stagehands for school plays and concerts at local auditoriums. 

Many possess more of a background in facilities management. They might have worked as secretaries or office admins whose auxiliary duties included responsibilities around their building. They may have been selected because of their attention to detail and high level of responsibility—characteristics likely picked up in their youth!