The Baltimore Choral Arts Society seeks a full-time Music Director to succeed its esteemed Music Director Tom Hall, in leading this critically-acclaimed professional chorus.

Recognized as one of the nation's premier choruses, Baltimore Choral Arts performs primarily classical and major choral/orchestral works, in an annual season comprised of a 3-concert subscription season, plus community outreach concerts, including concerts for children. Baltimore Choral Arts typically presents or participates in 25-40 performances in a season.

Baltimore Choral Arts appears regularly with the Baltimore Symphony in major classical works and Pops concerts, which are performed in Baltimore as well as suburban Washington, DC. The organization includes a 120-voice Symphonic Chorus, a 90-voice Full Chorus, and a 45-voice Chamber Chorus. Choral Arts is a diverse ensemble which includes a paid core of 20-30 part-time, professional singers, supplemented by experienced volunteers who are selected in competitive auditions.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary during the 2015-16 season, Baltimore Choral Arts has a strong legacy of commissioning new works from composers ranging from Rosephanye Dunn Powell, to Dave Brubeck, and has invited many artists to appear with the Chorus, from Janice Chandler-Eteme and other classical soloists, to the Kings Singers, Chanticleer, Anonymous 4, and Sweet Honey in the Rock. The Chorus has toured and recorded, and its Emmy Award-winning annual "Christmas with Choral Arts" concert has been broadcast for the past 20 years on WMAR-TV 2 (the ABC affiliate in Maryland), as well as on public radio stations WYPR and WBJC.

Baltimore has a rich heritage in the arts. It is a vibrant cultural city, home to the world-acclaimed Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Peabody Conservatory, the Lyric Opera of Baltimore, three excellent nationally-renowned museums (The Walters Art Museum, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and the Visionary Art Museum), the oldest regional theater company in the country (Center Stage), and the oldest Catholic cathedral in the country (the Baltimore Basilica) where Baltimore Choral Arts performs its popular Christmas concert.

This international search is being conducted by a search committee comprised of members of the Choral Arts board, staff, and chorus. Candidates will be expected to have an established and critically-acclaimed reputation for excellence in artistic achievement with choruses, orchestras and soloists; to be engaged and excited by the creative process; and to have a demonstrated ability to build on the organization’s high-quality reputation.

The Music Director will report directly to the Board of Directors, will supervise a paid, part-time Associate Conductor, volunteer Chorus Manager, and paid accompanist. The Music Director also works closely with the Executive Director who also reports to the Board and supervises an administrative staff of four.

Official engagement will begin on July 1, 2017.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Music Director will be required to prepare all engagements (minimum of five) each season that are produced by the Baltimore Choral Arts Society itself, as well as preparing the chorus for appearances with the Baltimore Symphony and other orchestras and organizations. The Music Director also prepares and conducts all community outreach and children's concerts. The season typically commences in September and ends the following June.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop the program for the annual concert season in collaboration with the Executive Director and others as needed.
• Prepare annual budgets with the Executive Director, and maintain the fiscal integrity of Baltimore Choral Arts as a high priority.
• Manage and keep within budget all production expenses, including soloists, professional choristers, orchestra musicians, etc.
• Present the season and annual activities to the Board of Directors.
• Represent the organization as the artistic leader of the organization and promote the organization out in the community.
• Develop collaborative relations with arts and other community organizations for chorus performance opportunities.
• Prepare choruses for performance engagements by other artistic entities.
• Engage in fundraising and public relations events and activities.
• Annually audition all current and potential professional and volunteer chorus members.
• Work closely with the volunteer Chorus Manager to manage and supervise the rosters for all rehearsals and performances.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of the Associate Conductor.
• Schedule and conduct all rehearsals and concerts for the events that Choral Arts produces, as well as those for which we are engaged by other organizations.
• Contract paid chorus members, soloists, orchestral musicians and accompanists
• Meet regularly with the Chorus Council on matters concerning the Chorus, and communicate regularly with singers, instrumentalists and production personnel.
• Write program notes for concert program books, and present remarks during Choral Conversations.
• Produce, schedule and program all education and community outreach events and performances.
• Work closely with the Executive Director to prepare and manage the budget and maintain the fiscal integrity of Choral Arts as a high priority.

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• Established reputation for excellent and inspired artistic achievement in a wide-ranging repertoire, from a cappella pieces to large masterworks.
• Strong leadership skills and experience leading performances that include choral and orchestral musicians, vocal and instrumental soloists, and artists from other disciplines.
• Extensive knowledge of the standard choral and choral/orchestral repertoire, and strong knowledge of contemporary music.
• Demonstrated proficiency in creating imaginative programs for concert seasons.
• Proficiency in budgeting for concert seasons, tracking expenses, and adhering to approved budgeted artistic, concert and production expenses.
• Expertise in vocal technique, languages and choral diction.
• Demonstrated teaching and pedagogical skills
• Skilled as a creative and exciting artistic leader with effective public speaking abilities
• Demonstrated ability to carry out key functions, including:
  • attract and retain highly qualified choral singers and promote their continued musical development
  • select repertoire of high artistic merit that inspires performers and audiences
  • engage outstanding soloists and first-rate orchestral musicians
  • effectively prepare and inspire choruses in varied and challenging repertoire
  • advance the organization’s local and national reputation
  • vigorously and effectively represent the organization to the broader community
  • work effectively with a Board of Directors and a professional staff

• Advanced music/conducting degree strongly preferred.

JOB LOCATION, SALARY AND TIMING

• Position headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.
• Salary commensurate with experience and services rendered
• This position commences in July 2017

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Interested candidates meeting the above qualifications should apply by submitting electronically the following materials:

• Letter of application
• Curriculum vitae
• Video of performances and/or rehearsals (URL, DVD, or mp4 format)

Deadline for submissions is May 23, 2016. Applications will be kept in the strictest confidence. Candidates should submit materials by email to [email protected]. No phone inquiries, please.

The position will remain open until it has been filled.

Baltimore Choral Arts Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer