Job Description: Artistic Director

Supervised by: President of the Board of Directors

Purpose of Position: To develop and carry out artistic and musical programming, collaborations and concerts that support the mission of the Puerto Vallarta Gay Men’s Chorus

Time Commitment: .25 FTE position with honorarium; flexible hours, evenings and weekends

Chorus Mission: The Puerto Vallarta Gay Men’s Chorus creates musical experiences to entertain, enlighten, and inspire. Through our performances, we build bridges of understanding, acceptance and love in our community

Responsibilities:

1. Promote the Chorus’ focus on its mission
   1. Work with the Chorus, the Board, Associate Members and staff to promote a positive atmosphere of community within the organization
   2. Adhere to the organization’s Leadership Code of Conduct
   3. Be the music and artistic leader and educator for the organization
   4. Network with other arts organizations, music directors, local theaters, dance troupes, governmental agencies and community groups to increase the visibility of the Chorus and to encourage collaboration
2. Design, coordinate, and direct Chorus programming (70%)
   1. Organize an annual performance schedule including subscription concerts, outreach concerts and tours
   2. Organize and publish a rehearsal schedule at the beginning of the rehearsal period for each major concert
   3. Conduct auditions, as needed and no less than twice annually
   4. Design each concert performance including theme development and integration of guest artists, ensembles, soloists and visual elements
   5. Identify and select workshop presenters for vocal clinics and other workshops
   6. Identify and select special musicians for each concert project
   7. Collaborate with the performance venue to ensure all technical needs, venue contracts, blocking, costuming, and staging details run smoothly
   8. Audition, select and coach soloists and small group ensembles.
3. Manage artistic detail for outreach projects (5%)
   1. Participate in planning for communication, logistics and other details for community performances, guest appearances, school concerts and outreach tours
   2. Network with community, state and national school administrators and musical faculty to promote chorus school outreach and concerts
4. Provide supervision for chorus members and music-related staff (5%)
   1. Supervise the Accompanist
   2. Identify, coach, and supervise the activities of chorus section leaders
   3. Communicate regularly with section leaders regarding vocal issues, repertoire to cover in upcoming sectionals and other musical needs
5. Facilitate the work of the Board of Directors (10%)
   1. Identify concert themes and collaborations that support PVGMC’s mission
   2. Research appropriate music for the upcoming season
   3. Ensure that current major concert music is selected and purchased with the assistance of committee members, prior to the first rehearsal for the concert
   4. Communicate with the Accompanist regarding the rehearsal list, tempos and other performance details
   5. Oversee the recording of rehearsal and backup tracks
   6. Secure new arrangements and performance rights where appropriate
   7. Personally compose new musical arrangements or engage other arrangers
   8. Oversee the maintenance and cataloging of the chorus music library
6. Development and Finances (5%)
   1. Write narrative as needed for concert projects
   2. Work with the Board and/or Donor Development and Fundraising Committee to position grant focus and prepare grant budgets
   3. Provide input to the annual budget for line items supporting artistic direction to the Board Treasurer by agreed deadlines
7. Communicate regularly with the Chorus Board and other chorus leadership (5%)
   1. Serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board of Directors
   2. Attend Board meetings and provide a monthly report to the Board
   3. Attend and provide planning input to leadership retreats
8. Actively pursue and participate in professional development
   1. Participate in professional organizations, e.g. American Choral Director’s Association, GALA, Chorus America, etc.
   2. Maintain and update professional competence by attending workshops, classes and conferences
   3. Review new choral works and recordings; read professional journals
   4. Attend concerts of other choral organizations

Desired Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• BA or Advanced Degree in Music with an emphasis in choral conducting or equivalent conducting experience (minimum 5-6 years)
• Interest in and commitment to the mission of the Chorus
• A Mexican national, fully fluent in spoken and written Spanish and English (highly desirable)
• Experience conducting or working with a community-based chorus and with singers of various musical skills, experience, ages and cultural backgrounds
• Flexibility in working with a diverse group of non-singing volunteers and personalities
• Ability to offer strong leadership skills as well as to balance work within a team setting
• Must have strong communication skills
• An ability to work with basic computer software, including word processing, spreadsheets and e-mail; experience with music composition software (highly desirable)