By GALA Expert
November 21, 2023
Name of Chorus
Job Description: | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR |
Supervised by: | Board of Directors |
Purpose of Position: | .75 FTE salaried position. Flexible hours, evenings and weekends. |
Time Commitment: | Approximately 5 hrs per week |
Chorus Mission: | … Changing the world! |
Responsibilities:
1. Promote the Chorus’ focus on its mission
- Work with the Chorus, the Board, and volunteers to promote a positive atmosphere of community within the organization.
- Network with other arts organizations, music directors, and community groups to increase the visibility of the Chorus and to encourage collaboration.
2. Design, coordinate, and direct Chorus programming (40%)
- Organize an annual performance schedule including subscription concerts, outreach concerts and tours.
- Organize a rehearsal schedule at the beginning of each concert year.
- Conduct auditions twice annually.
- Design each concert performance including theme development and integration of guest artists, ensembles, soloists and visual elements.
- Identify and hire workshop presenters for vocal clinics and other workshops.
- Contract with technicians and musicians for each concert project.
- Serve as staff contact to Production Committee ensuring that technical needs, venue contracts, blocking, costuming, and staging details run smoothly.
- Audition, select and coach soloists and small group ensembles.
3. Manage administrative and artistic detail for outreach projects (25%)
- Manage communication, logistics and planning details for metro-area community performances.
- Manage planning, schedule, communication, host contacts and programming for Chorus outreach tours.
- Supervise volunteers coordinating travel, food and housing detail for tours and school outreach concerts.
- Network with metro area school administrators to promote Chorus school outreach.
- Manage planning, communication and programming for school concerts.
4. Provide supervision for music-related staff and volunteers (15%)
- Supervise the Accompanist.
- Identify, coach, and supervise the activities of Chorus section leaders, Assistant Director, Assistant Accompanist.
- Communicate regularly with section leaders regarding vocal issues, repertoire to cover in upcoming sectionals and other musical needs.
6. Facilitate the work of the Music Committee (10%)
- Identify concert themes and collaborations that support the chorus mission. Research appropriate music for the upcoming season.
- Ensure that current season music is selected and purchased with the assistance of committee members.
- Coordinate the brailling of music with the assistance of committee members before the first rehearsal of the season.
- Communicate with the Accompanist regarding the rehearsal list, tempos and other performance details for recording rehearsal tapes.
- Secure new arrangements and performance rights where appropriate.
7. Development and Finances (5%)
- Write narrative as needed for concert projects, work with development staff to position grant focus, prepare grant budgets.
- Prepare annual budget in collaboration with the Board Treasurer.
8. Communicate regularly with the Chorus Board and other chorus leadership (5%)
- Attend Board meetings and provide a monthly report to the Board.
- Attend and provide input for the annual Leadership retreat.
9. Participate in professional development
- Participate in professional organizations: American Choral Director’s Association, GALA, Chorus America, etc.
- Maintain and update professional competence by attending workshops, classes and conferences.
- Review new choral works and recordings; read professional journals.
- Attend concerts of other choral organizations.
Required Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- BA or Advanced Degree in Music with an emphasis in choral conducting or equivalent conducting experience (minimum 5-6 years).
- Experience conducting or working with a community-based chorus and with singers of various musical skills and experience.
- Interest in and commitment to embracing the mission the Chorus.
- Ability to offer strong leadership skills as well as to balance work within a team setting.
- Flexibility in working with a diverse group of volunteers and personalities.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- An ability to work within electronic mediums: word processing, e-mail, internet and intranet.