The Santa Ynez Valley Chorale (SYVC), a nonprofit volunteer choral group of 30-60 singers (high school age to senior citizens) is looking for new music director to enhance the group’s core classical repertoire, as well as other genres of choral music. The chorale has been performing for the community for some 40 years.
The director position is a part-time, contract job. Salary is about $1,500/month, depending on qualifications.
With the assistance of a piano accompanist, the director rehearses with the chorale typically starting in September for a December concert and January for a May concert. The chorale performs with a professional orchestra, selected for the specific program. Smaller performances include a Fourth of July concert and Veterans Day presentation.
A small youth chorale is often included in the December concert with separate one-hour rehearsals starting in October.
The chorale hopes to fill the post by the end of July to provide the new director with sufficient time to plan a concert program for December.
Interested applicants can submit a resume, information detailing how they best meet the preferred qualifications (see below), and salary requirements to info@syvchorale.org. For initial consideration, application materials must be received no later than July 1.
Applicants who seem to best meet the chorale’s needs will be invited to a selection interview and to demonstrate rehearsal skills with a small group of chorale members. The selection committee will make recommendations to the board of directors, who will make the final decision. Interviews are tentatively scheduled the week of July 12.
Preferred qualifications include:
• Experience teaching and conducting adult choral ensembles.
• Experience conducting an orchestra.
• Experience arranging/composing sheet music for orchestra accompaniment.
• Advanced degree in choral conducting or equivalent professional experience.
• Solid vocal skills and understanding of vocal pedagogy.
• Thorough understanding of repertoire from the traditional western canon, as well as world music and new contemporary chorale music.
Some of the director’s duties include:
• Conducts chorale, orchestra, and youth ensemble.
• In consultation/collaboration with the SYVC Board, selects a program for concerts that considers ensemble size, abilities, availability of scores, musicians, and venues. Selects repertoire options that fit the budget for orchestra, soloists and venues.
• Directs rehearsals and prepares chorale for performances with one two-hour rehearsal weekly of both concert seasons beginning in early September and in January. Rehearsals are 7-9 p.m. every Tuesday, with additional rehearsals closer to the concert date.
• Auditions new singers and selects those for admission to the chorale. Identifies developmental needs of singers, and coaches them to improve their skills. Upon acceptance and after conferring with section leaders, determines whether any individual singer is sufficiently prepared and able to add to the group’s overall sound quality.
• Determines the order of music for concerts and other performances. Selects soloists and/or contracts musicians for concerts. Arranges music as necessary.
• In consultation with the board, develops creative and long range musical objectives for the chorale; and identifies strategies and actions to achieve the goals.
• Maintains good communications with chorale’s board of directors. Attends and contributes to board meetings and committee meetings. Attends monthly board meetings and serves on the board. Participates in chorale’s fundraising and promotional activities.
• Provides additional services as agreed upon with chorale’s board of directors or an appropriate officer.
Direct questions to info@syvchorale.org, or call Erica Miller, SYVC president, 805-458-8983.