Artistic Director + Conductor
The Festival Chorus
Are you an experienced choral director looking for a new opportunity? With the retirement of our long-term artistic director, Calgary’s The Festival Chorus is hiring an artistic director to commence Summer 2023.
We are an auditioned mixed voice choir, based in Calgary. The artistic vision of The Festival Chorus is to provide as wide a variety of classical choral repertoire as possible, through a balanced performing season, in order to enhance our Calgary audience’s appreciation of choral artistry. The performance of live choral music is as essential a strand in the artistic fabric of a community as great literature, stirring theatre, or compelling visual arts expression. The Festival Chorus seeks to honour this commitment as one of Calgary’s established and continuous performing groups, with a historic 60+ years presence.
Our performances currently include a much-loved holiday concert in December, often showcasing the Christmas tradition of a specific country (e.g. “Christmas in Paris”); a concert in early spring where we explore a variety of music and often include community singers; and a concert in late spring where we present a major choral work or works.
Major responsibilities include:
- Determining vocal requirements of the chorus and establishes screening criteria for membership.
- Building up the chorus and enhancing membership through outreach and recruitment efforts.
- Setting and conducting weekly chorus rehearsals September through April/May.Rehearsals are currently held Tuesday evenings at the Jack Singer Rehearsal Hall, Arts Commons.
- Providing artistic direction to the chorus; planning and organizing extra vocal workshops.
- Attending board meetings September through May as an ex officio member; planning, budgeting, and recommending an annual performance plan to the board. Some availability for board meetings June and August is required.
- Working with elected and appointed officers; and communications/website contractors in organizing and promoting performances.
- Selecting and arranging for accompaniment, including orchestral accompaniment for performances; selecting and arranging soloists to perform with the chorus as required.
- Sourcing musical scores required to enable planned programs.
- Researching and writing artistic descriptive messages for concert advertising and programs, mail outs, chorus communication, concert programs and grant applications.
- Representing the chorus to the media through interviews.
Qualifications include a degree in music with expertise in choral training and orchestral conducting; at least five years’ related experience; membership in the Calgary Musicians Association — Local 547, A.F. of M or willingness to join; and superior communication skills. Established connections in the Calgary choral community an asset. Salary is in the range of $24,000 with additional professional development benefit.
Apply with resume, cover letter and a sample program which you have designed to president@thefestivalchorus.com. Deadline is April 15, 2023
