Artistic Director

The board seeks a collaborative, engaging, caring, and dynamic conductor-teacher to continue the high level of excellence that The Frederick Children’s Chorus is known for. The Frederick Children’s Chorus was founded in 1985 and has served thousands of children living in central Maryland, Northern Virginia, and West Virginia, from birth to high school graduation. The Artistic Director of The Frederick Children’s Chorus is responsible for the musical leadership and direction including but not limited to recruiting, programming, rehearsals, and performances. Also serving as a conductor and/or musicianship teacher, the Artistic Director is responsible for all artistic tasks, supervises all musical staff, collaborates with the Executive Director, and reports to the Board of Directors on artistic, musical, and outreach activities.

Position Details

• Full-time appointment
• Each choir rehearses once a week on Tuesday evenings from late August to early May.
• Includes planning Summer Camp.
• Supported by a staff member(s) who handles administrative duties: communications, scheduling, parent relations, and social media.
• Supervises and collaborates with Associate Directors.
• Collaborates with a staff accompanist for rehearsals and performances.
• Salary: $55,000 – $60,000 Annually

Candidate Qualifications

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in Choral Conducting or Music Education and/or significant experience in childhood music education.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Choral Conducting or Music Education.
• Five years minimum experience working as a choral director in a music educational organization, school choral program, and/or non-profit chorus.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in selecting of choral repertoire that is age-appropriate and includes a wide range of styles and periods of choral repertoire for children’s chorus.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in selecting choral instructional techniques, and vocal pedagogy serving infants to high school seniors.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience instructing singers to learn to sightread music.
• Knowledge and/or training in varied teaching methodologies.
• Evidence of ability to work in collaboration with the other music staff to develop visions, including repertoire, programming, and seasonal planning.
• Experience leading and rehearsing orchestral instrumentalists.
• Experience differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of students of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels.
• Evidence of building music programs.
• Evidence of ability to meet deadlines and proactively develop long-range plans.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

To Apply:

Send to – Email: OfficeManager@Fredcc.org 

Use Subject:

Search Committee, Frederick Children’s Chorus

Include the following:

• Resumé.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• 3 – 5 video and/or audio examples labeled with song titles, publisher’s number, date of recording, name, and description of ensembles.
• Sample programs from the past 2 – 5 years.
• A background check will be required. If you have one that is current, please include that
• with your application.

Applications close May 15, 2024

Detailed Position Description

Mission: is to bring children together for the joyful exploration and celebration of singing.

Vision: Any child, regardless of training or financial standing, should be able to become the best singer they can be.

Artistic Leadership

Concerts –Performance programming.

•  Will select the repertoire for each ensemble: Training Chorus, Concert Chorus, and Chamber Singers
• Develop an overall theme for the season and concert themes for Fall and Spring.
• Will collaborate with the ED to locate and lease appropriate performance venues.
• After collaborating with the team, will select the repertoire for each ensemble.
• Provide program information, translations, and notes as needed.
• Will coordinate all aspects of the Messiah Sing-along performance, including hiring soloists, and the orchestra, and contacting/inviting the alumni chorus to participate.

Rehearsals/Musicianship Outcomes 

• Will work with the ED to locate and lease appropriate facilities for weekly and additional rehearsals when appropriate.
• Will develop a schedule of Tuesday night rehearsals, guiding all ensembles to prepare separately and at times together leading up to the mandatory rehearsals in the final weeks before the concerts.
• Will provide instruction and develop the vocal and ensemble skills of young singers.
• Will monitor the singers during performance runs and address issues at each warm-up.
• Will meet with new member prospects.
• Will guide musicianship instruction with curriculum and lesson plans, employ Kodaly-based instruction, lessons planned, methods, and materials used.
• Will collaborate with staff to develop year-end evaluations of all singers.
• Will guide Chamber Singers instructors to prepare singers to perform Messiah choruses annually.
• Summer Camp Programs
• Will hire and evaluate the Program Director
• Will guide the Program Director in hiring and supervising camp accompanist and camp activities coordinator. Develop an overall theme for the Camps and assist with the selection of music for Camps.
• Will guide instruction with examples of curriculum and lesson plans.
• Will participate in recruiting camp counselors from the Chorus members.
• Will actively participate in recruiting camp families to join the choral and LMM programs.

Youth and Family Development

• Develop enrichment activities, opportunities, and experiences.
• Concerts and performances in addition to those sponsored by Frederick Children’s

Chorus.

• Will direct or arrange for a staff director to lead singers in community events when invited.
• Collaborate with other local and regional organizations.
• Collaborate with other artists and organizations for performances.
• Initiate travel and participate in festivals and competitions.
• Regularly communicates with families of singers via one-on-one meetings, phone calls, or email.
• Confers with parents/caregivers regarding student progress, family, and fundraising activities.
• Assist student members in auditioning for Honor Chorus opportunities.
• Encourage senior high school members to participate in the Intern Conductor Program.

Community Outreach (Marketing and Public Relations

• Arrange introductory meetings with music teachers and other music professionals in the community.
• Attend and support Frederick County Public Schools music presentations, Honor Chorus performances, and school performances.
• Develop relationships with teachers, Artistic Directors, and arts coordinators, as well as music teachers in public and private, local schools, and colleges to recruit singers and staff.
• Participate in the development, social, and fundraising activities of The Frederick
• Children’s as appropriate.
• Represents The Frederick Children’s Chorus at various community and cultural events.

Staff Support and Development

• Will hire and evaluate Little Music Makers (LMM) Coordinator
• Will hire and evaluate all instructors and provide feedback.
• Will collaborate with and assist the LMM Coordinator and all instructors.
• Will assist the LMM staff in selecting performance dates.
• Will assist the LMM staff in selecting appropriate performance venues for these concerts.
• Will assist the musical staff in developing plans and guiding instruction.
• Will be part of the interview panel for any future hire of staff moving forward as part of a collaborative team effort.
• Will supervise and help to evaluate other Frederick Children’s Chorus directors, musicianship teachers, and pianists.
• Keeps current with new choral repertoire and techniques and notifies staff of continuing educational opportunities.

Organizational Support

• Will attend and participate in all meetings of the Board of Directors
• Provide the Executive Director and Board of Directors with an Artistic Director’s Report before the regularly scheduled meetings.

The Frederick Children’s Chorus