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