Chorus America
Chorus America is hiring: Seattle Peace Chorus Music Director in Seattle
Chorus America, Seattle, WA, United States, 98127
Content Summary: Seattle Peace Chorus Music Director at Seattle, for Chorus America
Salary: $16,000.00 - $19,000.00 Annually
Application Deadline: Mar 5, 2025
Position Title: Seattle Peace Chorus Music Director
Location: Keystone Congregational Church, Seattle, WA
Reports to: Seattle Peace Chorus Board of Directors
Hours: Approximately 7-10 hours per week, August – June with scheduled breaks; performances at least twice a year; independent contractor
Compensation: $16,000 - $19,000 per year based on experience
Projected Start Date: 1 August 2025
Date Developed: 1 February 2025
Organization Information
Seattle Peace Chorus is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization led by an elected Board in collaboration with the musical director, a repertoire committee, the chorus membership, and ad hoc committees. The mission of the Seattle Peace Chorus is to communicate through music the desire for a just and peaceful world; to consistently present this message through choral excellence and nonviolent activism; to celebrate life in all its diversity; to build and sustain harmonious relationships and cultural bridges locally and globally. Our commitment to peace through nonviolent activism means that we engage in active efforts to help victims of violence, war, and injustice of any kind.
Job Summary
The Seattle Peace Chorus Music Director will serve as the musical director for the Seattle Peace Chorus (SPC), an auditioned SATB community chorus of about 35 current members. The music director will collaborate with the Board and its committees to create and lead inspirational music programming. The music director will have and/or make connections with other community choruses to further the SPC’s mission around peace and justice. Travel either locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally may be expected periodically. Travel costs for the music director would be covered by the chorus.
Core Competencies
The applicant should demonstrate the following competencies:
Accountable Leadership: Exhibits transparency and follow-through; holds oneself in alignment with SPC’s mission and supports others in doing so as well; takes responsibility for one’s actions.
Awareness: Knowledgeable of SPC’s commitment to nonviolent activism against injustice of any kind; must be dedicated to continual growth, development, and self-reflective processes; demonstrated experience in fostering inclusive spaces.
Collaboration: Comfortable with listening to others and exchanging ideas; open to participatory processes; eager to explore diverse perspectives.
Communication Skills: Communicates information and expectations clearly; listens well; shows emotional intelligence; is able to inspire, motivate, and connect with individuals and larger groups; is able to receive and offer effective and constructive feedback.
Community: Recognizes the importance of the chorus as a community space for its members; provides opportunities for people to connect; works to be inclusive and supportive of everyone.
Conflict Management: Skillfully mediates conflict and manages disagreements; escalates issues as needed to the Board; has patience in understanding challenges that members of varied skill levels may face in learning the music.
Musicianship: Demonstrates excellent directing skills including but not limited to having an ability to interpret and conduct musical scores with appropriate tone and context, music theory, dynamics, sight reading, and vocal and other musical techniques.
Organizational Skills: Demonstrates critical thinking, executive functioning, responsiveness to deadlines, planning abilities, and other attributes to ensure effective and efficient teaching and performances.
Key Responsibilities
Coordination: Facilitate rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances Rehearsals are currently held on Monday evenings from 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Performances are currently held twice per year, in November and June; each seasonal concert includes two performances
Performances are held on weekends and evenings
Coordinate provision of musical scores to the members
Provide chorus members with rehearsal agenda via email at least 24 hours before rehearsal
Respond to emails and other forms of communication promptly
Secure and coordinate venues for both rehearsals and performances
Coordinate guest artists and performers as needed
Conduct auditions for new chorus membership and soloists in a transparent manner; communicate in advance how solos or small ensemble members are chosen; the Board may develop a committee to assist with these processes
Collaborate with the hired pianist while exploring opportunities for a capella singing
Meet monthly with the Board to discuss chorus business Create and present a Music Director’s Report at each meeting
Board meetings are currently held on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m during the SPC season
Board meetings may occur when the chorus is not in session
Meet periodically with the Repertoire Committee to review and select music
Assist the grant writer with narrative content for grant applications
Review and contribute to programs and advertising
Development: Produce high quality musical performances that support SPC’s mission, exhibit musical excellence, and grow the musical skills and musicianship of the chorus
Arrange musical scores on a limited, as needed basis
Seek out opportunities to grow and expand the chorus in alignment with the interests of the membership This may include increasing and diversifying the membership, finding ways to better reach audiences and communities, continuing and expanding SPC’s collaborations with other musical groups and communities, holding performances in community-based settings, diversifying the musical selections, or other efforts
Qualifications
Required
Previous education, training and/or experience in choral directing
Ability to work collaboratively in a decision-making process with a team
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
Commitment to the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and to SPC’s mission
Basic understanding of Google Docs and Microsoft Word
Preferred
Skilled at teaching a variety of musical genres and traditions
Skilled at leading diverse groups of singers with varying levels of musical ability
Experience in collaboration and engagement with cross-cultural groups and community choruses
Knowledgeable and skilled at selecting musical pieces and designing a concert program
Interest in and support for the activism arm of the chorus and other outreach efforts
Ability to encourage and develop section leaders and an assistant director as needed
Basic keyboard skills for teaching parts and warmups
Familiarity with musical software
How To Apply:
Applications consisting of a cover letter, a CV or resume, and 3 references including at least one former employer, should be emailed to:
#J-18808-Ljbffr