The Frederick Chorale, an auditioned, 50-voice adult chorus, seeks an experienced choral conductor to replace our founding director, who is retiring after 35 years. During that time the group has performed a broad variety of music in formal concerts, ensemble performances, and our Madrigal Revels throughout the Mid Atlantic region and in four countries abroad. We have performed alone, with other choruses, and with a range of accompaniment ensembles. Some members have sung with the Chorale for over 20 years, and some have joined this season. Many members have studied voice, and some have performed as soloists with the Chorale and with other groups. Some have advanced music degrees and professional training, and some teach music.
The successful candidate will have a reputation for artistic excellence in directing choruses, orchestras, and soloists, will be engaged and excited by the creative process, and will have the ability to build on the Chorale’s established high standing. The director will report to a self-governing elected board and will have overall responsibility for the musical performance of the Chorale, creating an artistically satisfying and challenging experience for the Chorale members and an enriching experience for its audiences.
• To provide an artistic vision for the Chorale that will result in repertoire that will delight audiences and expand the talents of the membership
• To conduct all Chorale rehearsals, preparing the Chorale and instrumentalists for each performance vocally, musically, and stylistically
• To work with the Music Committee to select all musical repertoire and to oversee the ordering of music for the Chorale and for instrumentalists
• To work with the Concert Planning Committee to select and arrange venues, design concerts and performances, and plan logistics
• To work with the Treasurer to develop concert budgets and to solicit grants
• To work with the Publicity Chair to produce promotional materials and campaigns, including providing promotional ideas, reviewing articles and press releases, and participating in newspaper and TV interviews
• To assist Chorale members to obtain study aids, as needed
• To work with Section Leaders to solve individual vocal/musical problems and to strive to bring all members up to performance level
• To contract with professional instrumentalists for specific concerts
• To oversee the process by which soloists are chosen from within the Chorale membership
• To work with Chorale members to enhance performances with sets, costumes, media, drama, and narration
• To work with the Concert Planning Committee and Board to identify and recruit clinicians
• To promote the Chorale's fundraising efforts
• With the Chorale President and members, to represent the Chorale to the greater Frederick community by attending local arts events and meeting with special donors and with community, government, religious, and non-profit leaders
• Have an established reputation for excellent and inspired artistic achievement in leading choral and orchestral musicians with soloists
• Have extensive knowledge of the standard choral and choral/orchestral repertoire, and strong knowledge of music of our time
• Have expertise in vocal technique, languages, and choral diction
• Be a creative and exciting artistic leader
• Be an effective motivator and teacher
• Have a sense of humor and personable manner
• Have at least a bachelor's degree in music; a master's degree in choral conducting is highly desirable
• Have demonstrated the ability to
o attract and retain highly qualified choral singers and promote their continued musical development
o select repertoire of high artistic merit that inspires performers and audiences
o effectively prepare choruses for varied and challenging repertoire
o proficiently and artistically conduct choral/instrumental and a cappella repertoire
o enhance the organization's reputation
o vigorously and effectively represent the organization to the broader community
o interpret and annotate master scores for chorus, accompanists, instrumentalists, and soloists
o work effectively with a board of directors
• Frederick, Maryland
• This position will be open in the spring of 2012, at the end of the 2011-2012 season
Interested candidates with the qualifications outlined may apply by submitting the following by email to: directorsearch@frederickchorale.org.
• A letter describing your artistic vision for this high-caliber, auditioned chorus. (See About the Frederick Chorale for information about the Chorale and its history.)
• A curriculum vitae
• A completed application cover sheet found at http://www.frederickchorale.org/directorsearch
Linda Myers at 301-371-6594
Direct Position Cover Sheet Application
Linda Myers at 301-371-6594