Description

Now in its fourth decade, the Peninsula Girls Chorus (PGC), a distinguished and innovative choral program for young women, has opened a search for new Conducting Interns for its Allegra and Brava choirs, beginning fall 2026. This role is ideal for early-career conductors who possess substantial choral experience. The PGC office and rehearsal space is located in Burlingame, California.

Allegra is the second of six choir levels in the Peninsula Girls Chorus program, led by former Allegra Conducting Intern, Jo Basile. This choir level offers an introduction to the choral experience for singers ages 9-11, with some overlap on either end for singers needing more time, or who come to the PGC with exceptional skills. Choristers sing repertoire in foreign languages, and learn harmony using 2-3 part rounds and independent two-part music.  

Brava is the third of six choir levels in the Peninsula Girls Chorus program, led by PGC Director of Educational Programs, Kate Roseman. They are an intermediate ensemble made up of experienced choristers, ages 10-14. These choristers sing intermediate repertoire in two and 3-part harmony. Brava singers participate in community performances and events across the peninsula and the bay area at large, and tour annually within California.  

 At both levels, choristers learn age appropriate vocal technique, choral practices and the basics of music literacy and sight-reading skills. The music literacy program is based on the approach of Zoltán Kodály and involves aural, visual and written skills. 

There are 50-80 singers in each of these choir levels, and they are divided between Allegra 1/Brava 1, which meets on Tuesday afternoons, from 4-5:30 PM, and Allegra 2/Brava 2, which meets on Tuesday evenings, from 5:45-7:15 PM, September through June. 

The term of this position is 1 season - September - June. Yearly pay is $7,000.  Additional concerts beyond the Winter and Spring Concerts are paid at a rate of $300 per concert; camp stipend is $1000.  

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to kroseman@peninsulagirlschorus.org. PGC is an equal opportunity employer committed to being an inclusive workplace and strongly believes in the importance of having a diverse group of individuals represented. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.

Requirements

Essential Functions:

• Assists lead conductor with teaching and class preparation

• Runs warmups

• Supervises students in and outside of the classroom

• Takes weekly attendance and sends to Chorus Manager

• Runs choral sectional rehearsals

• Solo and group vocal coaching

• Musicianship instruction with individuals and the larger group

• Corrects student musicianship work

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possesses substantial choral experience including knowledge of vocal pedagogy, choral diction and articulation, and languages

• A dynamic teacher who is able to engage and motivate singers to the highest standards of excellence

• Demonstrates understanding of the musical score, its contemporary or historical context, and appropriate musical interpretation

• Demonstrates a beautiful vocal model

• Values music from diverse backgrounds, origins and traditions

• Works collegially with other PGC directors and the PGC office

• Strong communication skills

• Effective prioritization and multitasking skills

• Basic piano skills to assist in teaching single vocal lines

Education and Work Experience:

• Experience singing in a choral music setting

• Experience conducting in front of a group

• Superior aural skills

• Facility with musicianship and music theory skills

Job Parameters:

• Required to be available 15 minutes prior and 15 minutes after the rehearsal period for supervision and musicianship assistance

• Grading and tracking of singers’ musicianship work

• In tandem with the lead conductor, conducts two major concerts per year as well as various community performances

• Weekly, 30 minute check-ins with the lead conductor outside of rehearsal at a mutually agreed upon time.

• Professional Development: Monthly, 45 minute meetings with the Director of Educational Programs (8 sessions) outside of rehearsal at a mutually agreed upon time.

• Brava Intern only: Teaches during the 1-week (5 days) day-camp during the first full week of August (optional)

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position, seated or standing, for the duration of a rehearsal or performance (up to three hours with breaks). It is often necessary to do some moving of chairs, music stands, and other equipment. The nature of this job requires the employee to work on-site during rehearsal hours and to be available some weekends for special performances, workshops, or other events on the PGC calendar.