For Kids
Position Title: Artistic Director of Spectrum Singers
Position Summary: Spectrum Singers is seeking a part-time (approx. 5 hours per week) Artistic Director/Conductor. The Artistic Director’s primary job is to design a musical program that aligns with the choir’s mission, to facilitate the learning of that music through weekly rehearsals, and conduct performances that bring that artistic vision to life. The artistic director is also a member of the leadership team, serving as a non-voting member of the board of directors. This position is for a 10 month contract, which can be renewed on an annual basis.
About Spectrum Singers: Spectrum Singers is a diverse, intergenerational (some youth included), all voices (SATB), volunteer, non-auditioned, community choir in Spokane, WA. Its membership is currently comprised of 50 singers ranging in age from 12-75 and representing many aspects of diversity. Spectrum Singers is purposeful about being a safe space for people in gender and sexual minority populations and embracing members of all ages, races, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, disability status and other diverse groups. The formal mission statement of Spectrum Singers is: Through the power of song, we empower and unite the community, amplify diverse voices, and serve as a catalyst for positive social change.
In addition to being a diverse choir that creates wonderful music in formal concerts, Spectrum Singers also participates in many community events in an effort to fight for social justice and bring diverse populations together. This includes singing at the Spokane AIDS Walk and the PRIDE festival, Holiday Caroling at low-income housing and senior centers, and walking in the Women’s March and MLK Jr. Day Rally.
Spectrum Singers is a proud member of the GALA Choruses, an organization of over 190 LGBTQ+ choirs who envision: “A world where all voices are free.”
For more about Spectrum Singers, please visit our website: www.spokanespectrumsinger.com or see our description on the GALA website: https://galachoruses.org/membership/member-spotlight
Responsibilities:
- Provide musical leadership including:
- Choose repertoire for 2 major concerts per year (Fall/Winter Season, and Spring/Summer Season) (about 60-90 minute programs) and create an artistic vision for those concerts. Note that as long as the program is in-line with the mission and is approved by the Board President, the AD may act autonomously in choosing repertoire and the vision for each concert. If the AD would like to create an artistic committee of board members or choir singers, they are welcome to do so; but this is not necessarily an expectation.
- Conduct weekly rehearsals (2 hour rehearsals for 12-16 weeks per season, 2 seasons per year) and one all day retreat per season.
- Conduct 2 major concerts as well as small community concerts throughout the rehearsal season. Note that the AD does not need to play piano for rehearsals or performances (we have a paid pianist for that).
- Support sectional rehearsals and answer sectional leaders’ musical questions. The AD will be a support to section leaders, but the AD is not responsible for leading any sectionals that fall outside of regular rehearsals
- Ensure that all musical endeavors are inclusive of all people and all identities.
- Conduct additional community concerts as needed, outside the regular concert program (with additional compensation)
- Participate in organizational leadership including:
- Attend monthly board meetings to help with the logistical organization of performances, purchasing of music, and other artistic considerations such as: venue, attire, concert programs, etc.
- Communicate regularly with appropriate board members .
- Although not a requirement, any support that the AD can provide regarding fundraising, advertising, and other board activities is greatly appreciated.
- Enroll with the GALA listserv, and utilize GALA resources and other GALA AD’s in helping with programming, diversity, and more.
Position requirements:
- Trained in choral directing and leadership.
- Strongly preferred: B.A. B.M. or Master’s level degree in choral leadership with an educational concentration.
- Experienced with diverse choral groups that include youth and adults as well as experienced and inexperienced choral members.
- Knowledge of and experience in programming a wide array of repertoire, especially in regards to the struggle of minority populations.
- Strong communication skills.
Compensation:
- Salary: Spectrum Singers will provide a negotiable annual salary (10 month contract) commensurate with experience. This contract is for one year, and is renewable upon mutual agreement with the AD and the board.
- Professional Development: Spectrum Singers will also provide funding for the AD to attend one conference per year focused on choral performance and diversity, with priority placed on attending the GALA Leadership Symposium (the AD may propose a different choral diversity conference if there is a different conference that would serve the purpose of cultural growth of the choir even more).
Application Instructions:
Priority application deadline is May 1, 2023; though the position will remain open until filled. Please send resume, a cover letter, references, as well as a brief artistic sample (video is preferred if possible), to: spokanespectrumsingers@gmail.com
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.