Program Director
The application deadline for this opportunity has passed.
Youth Singers of Calgary is seeking a program director for our KIDS & MUSIC program.
Who Are We?
Youth Singers (YSC) is one of Calgary’s premier performing arts education organizations for youth and adults. We have over 500 members, ranging in age from 3.5 to senior citizens, and offer music and dance training in 15 different divisions.
The KIDS & MUSIC division, established in 1992, provides music education to children in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 2 and establishes a strong foundation both for their individual musical development and for Youth Singers’ programs through elementary school and beyond.
Find out more about us at youthsingers.org and youtube.com/youthsingerscalgary.
The Position
This is a part-time, contract-based position for a program director to direct and teach the KIDS & MUSIC Division, beginning in September 2020. This program includes four age groups of early childhood education including Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2.
The format of the first three age groups is based upon a music education class format: Securing the singing voice, introducing unison and preparatory two-part singing, as well as age-appropriate repertoire, skills, and concepts.
The Grade 2 level is a preparatory choir experience, including an introduction to the musical score and the building of musical & choreography skills that will enable the student to continue upward to the next choir level in the organization.
The program has the potential for further growth at both the main campus and at satellite locations.
Currently, the program consists of eight classes, ranging from 45 to 60 minutes in length. Classes are held on Tuesday morning and early afternoon, Wednesday late afternoon and early evening, and Saturday morning. If hiring is finalized before March 15, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to provide input into the class schedule for 2020/21, particularly for weekdays.
The successful applicant will have the opportunity to meet with the current instructor throughout spring 2020 to observe the classroom and become familiar with the existing curriculum.
Skills & Qualifications:
- Experience with and passion for music education for young children.
- A degree, diploma, or equivalent experience in a discipline such as music education, music performance, or early education and child development, or a related field.
- Minimum of five years of experience working with very young students (ages three to seven) in a group or one on one lessons.
- Pedagogical background in the philosophy of Kodaly or Orff.
- Experience in curriculum development.
- Excellent singer (soprano or tenor voice preferred) to model to treble voices proper vocal technique.
- Strong keyboarding skills and a strong sight-reader and sight singer.
- Comfortable with or interested in exploring improvisation through music and movement.
- Understand that working with children means every lesson is a new adventure.
- Have as much fun as possible in every lesson.
- Work alongside a choreographer to combine music and movement, taking the experience from actions to choreography at an age-appropriate level.
- Excellent organizational skills to oversee and manage eight classes with over 80 singers, with each of the 4 levels engaging with different curriculum and developmental needs.
- The Youth Singers administrative team provides excellent support, including:
- Overseeing registration and payments from singers.
- Building music binders and preparing handouts and teaching materials for your classes, based on your lesson plans.
- Supporting your communication with parents.
- Production support for Christmas and year-end presentations, including technical and volunteer support.
- Administrative staff support during class times.
- Up-to-date Police Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening or willingness to acquire prior to employment
being confirmed is required. - First Aid and CPR certification is an asset.
To apply please send a resume and cover letter to Shirley Penner at shirl@youthsingers.org.
Applications will remain open until March 20, 2020, at 5:00pm or until a suitable candidate is found.
