Description
Position Summary: The Artistic Director (AD) determines the artistic direction of the Chorus,
selecting music and themes. The AD creates concert programs, auditions singers (twice a year),
conducts rehearsals, and develops the musical skills of the members. The AD works
collaboratively with the accompanist, to manage sectional rehearsals.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Develops programming and determines concert theme and repertoire, coordinating with
the Music Librarian about the ordering and distribution of music. Collaborates with the
accompanist in preparing and presenting the season’s major concerts.
Directs weekly (Tuesday evenings) and occasional extra rehearsals of the Chorus during
the season; communicates with members in a regular and timely fashion about details of
rehearsals.
Collaborates with the accompanist in creating small ensembles for concerts and outreach
programs.
Secures additional musical performers for performances, as needed.
Conducts chorus, instrumentalists, and ensembles (as needed) in performances.
Communicates regularly with the Chorus Board and other Chorus leadership; Attends
Board meetings and planning initiatives as Ex-Officio Member and provides a monthly
report to the Board and coordinates on performance details
Networks with other arts organizations, music directors, and community groups to
increase the visibility of the Chorus and to explore collaborative opportunities and build
relationships.
Timing/Scheduling Specifics:
NWSB currently rehearses on Tuesday evenings (7:00pm-9:30pm EST) at Grace
United Methodist Church (5407 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21212).
The traditional schedule of NWSB is two semesters, September through December and
January through June, with concerts in early December and early June.
The spring semester also includes a Showcase/Cabaret fundraising event with musical
theater elements, solos, and small group performances.
NWSB also performs one to three outreach performances in the community per
semester, which involve 15-60 minutes of music and take place at another
organization’s event
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:
Holds at the minimum a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area, such as:
Conducting, Music Education, Music Performance, or Church Music
Has 3 or more years of choral conducting experience
In conducting, has used gender-inclusive knowledge of appropriate vocal techniques for
all voice types using an ability to sing a cappella and demonstrate vocal parts
Has directed choral music from a variety of genres, including classical and
popular/contemporary
Desired Professional and Personal Characteristics:
Holds advanced (Master) degree in relevant area
Has ability to play the piano
Maintains musical integrity and high level of musical standards and challenges and
supports the chorus with these standards
Has demonstrated skill in training and instructing singers with diverse musical
background
Has experience in directing choruses of varying sizes.
Models and encourages motivation, discipline, and joy of singing
Works effectively with boards, accompanists, and volunteers
Demonstrates respect for and an awareness of the challenges faced by transgender and
gender non-conforming individuals. Understands and appreciates the LGBTQ+
community’s struggles for equality and celebrations of achievements
