Position Announcement
Choir of the Sound seeks a talented and dynamic Associate Director.
Responsibilities
Conducting the choir in rehearsals, warmups, performances, and outside gigs. Working with the Artistic Director to program concerts. Leading a small, subset group of the choir to be included regularly in performances and outside gigs; providing leadership for section leaders; recruiting for the choir; and assisting with other conducting and non-conducting duties as assigned. This position will be contracted to begin July 2025. Candidates must have meaningful choral conducting experience, a broad knowledge of choral repertoire and programming, and a collaborative spirit. Candidates must be willing and effective public advocates for Choir of the Sound and be comfortable engaging with the public both formally and informally.
About Choir of the Sound
The mission of Choir of the Sound is to enrich the lives of our community and our members by sharing exceptional performances of diverse musical styles, blending many talents to create a more perfect whole. The choir uses a blend of staging, lighting, and choreography to present its Holiday and Spring Pops shows as musical-theater-style productions. The more formal Winter concert features major choral works and other classical music. While focusing on programs of high musical quality, the choir strives to convey a genuine and infectious sense of fun to its audiences.
Cultural Equity
Choir of the Sound is an organization that is built upon the ideals of diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment. We strongly and sincerely encourage applications from people of color; immigrant, bilingual, and multicultural individuals; people with disabilities; members of LGBTQIA+ and gender non-conforming communities; and people with other diverse backgrounds and life experience. All applicants will be considered without attention to race/ethnicity, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, socioeconomic, veteran, or disability status.
Position Qualifications and Duties
Position: Associate Director
Posted Date: April 29, 2025
Chorus/Organization Name: Choir of the Sound
Start Date: July 1, 2025
Application Deadline: May 26, 2025
Position Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Music, Music Education, Choral Conducting, or related field
- Choral conducting experience with adult voices
- Desire to work collaboratively on artistic programming
Preferred:
- Focus or degree in Choral Conducting
- Proficiency in piano skills
- Meaningful experience with both classical and popular music
Principal Duties: (Standard operating year runs from September through the first week of June)
- Attend all rehearsals and performances (weekly: Monday nights; twice quarterly: Saturdays; technical and dress rehearsals the week of a performance; annual January retreat; Zoom meetings, if needed)
- Conduct songs, warmups, and split sectionals during rehearsals, performances, outside gigs, and other situations
- Conduct additional outside performances, associated rehearsals, and other tasks as may be agreed upon with the Artistic Director
- Communicate regularly with the Artistic Director in person, via email, or by phone
- Audition, select, and direct a small ensemble of current choir members to perform a subset of songs per show/concert
- Music selection to be decided upon by the Artistic and Associate Directors
- Work with the Artistic Director to program performances
- Review all performance recordings to determine best possible selection for archiving
Reports to: Artistic Director and President of the Board of Trustees
Compensation and Benefits: Compensation to be $4,500 annually, or commensurate pay based on level of experience
Application Requirements:
- Submit a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and three professional references.
- 2. Applicants are also required to submit a current work-sample video. The video should total no more than 20 minutes and include an example of the applicant conducting a recent choral performance (suggested length: ca. 5 minutes) and an example of the applicant teaching in a classroom and/or rehearsal environment that demonstrates rehearsal techniques (suggested length: ca. 10 minutes). All submissions must include the date of the performance in the video as well as the name of the performing ensemble.
- To submit the cover letter, resume, references, and video:
- Submit electronically at Choir of the Sound Associate Director Application OR
- Email to resume@choirofthesound.org OR
- Mail to Choir of the Sound, PO Box 33149, Seattle, WA 98133. (Please notify us via email if you’re sending your materials by physical mail.)
Individuals chosen to participate in the interview process will be notified in May 2025. Interviews will take place in June 2025.