Open Position for Music Director

  • Job Title: Director of Music
  • Reports To: Executive Board
  • Supervises: Choir Accompanist
  • Position Type: Part-Time
  • Hours per Week: varies (up to 15 hours/week)
  • Compensation: A fixed monthly stipend from September through May commensurate with experience. Salary to be revisited annually upon renewal of contract.
  • To Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references to: Lizgough614@gmail.com.  Include any recordings or links highlighting previous work, if available. YouTube, Vimeo, Soundcloud, etc., are acceptable.
  • Closing Date: Applications will be accepted until March 15th, 2025.

Overview: The Director of Music provides leadership and direction for the choir, striving for the best musical experience for our singers and audiences. The Choir performs approximately 8 concerts in Fall/Winter and 8 concerts in Spring throughout the greater Seattle area. The Director collaborates with the Board on administrative issues, works with the Music Committee to select songs, auditions new singers, and oversees the Choir Accompanist. The Boeing Employees Choir was formed in the early days of WWII and continues today as a community choir offering exceptional seasonal concerts to local retirees, church groups and our family and friends. We also enjoy performing on international concert tours every 4 or 5 years, arranged by the Board.

Duties and Responsibilities:

A. Leadership and Coordination

  • Plan and select a wide variety of challenging music for each concert season.
  • Direct weekly rehearsals (Tuesdays nights in West Seattle).
  • Audition new singers before/after regular rehearsal times.
  • Schedule special soloists/ensembles/soloists for concerts.
  • Encourage and enable singers to grow in musicianship and skills.
  • Hire professional singers (one per section if needed) to bolster the Choir (with prior approval from Board).
  • Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for participants at all skill levels.
  • Reply to email requests re: auditions, new member requests (with help of the Choir President).
  • Collaborate with the Choir Accompanist and Librarian in ordering and preparing choir music.
  • Provide information for the program editor regarding the concert repertoire, soloist names, etc.

B. Administration

  • Attend meetings of the Executive Committee (once monthly, usually via Zoom) as an Ex-Officio member.
  • Communicate regularly with choir members via email.
  • Work with the VP of Marketing/Venues to confirm availability for all concerts scheduled during the season.

C. Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or above degree in: choral conducting, piano or vocal performance, or equivalent experience.
  • At least five years’ experience directing choirs with experience recruiting and growing choirs.
  • Strong skills in conducting, vocal training, and rehearsal techniques.
  • Expertise in traditional, contemporary, multicultural music and musical arrangements.
  • Ability to mentor and work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and musicians of varying skill levels.
  • Proficiency in playing an instrument (piano, guitar or organ preferred) is a plus.

D. Core Competencies

  • Leadership and organizational skills.
  • Ability to teach vocal techniques to amateur singers.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Creativity and flexibility when dealing with performance venues.
  • Commitment to the Choir’s mission to serve the community, representing the Boeing Company as “goodwill ambassadors of music.”