ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR
Compensation: $18,000 - $24,000 annually
commensurate with qualifications and experience
Position Overview
Friends of Choral Music seeks an accomplished, collaborative, and forward-thinking Artistic Director & Conductor to lead the Southern California Master Chorale (SCMC).
Based in Orange County, California, SCMC presents a diverse season of choral music from August
through June, typically featuring four concert programs ranging from major choral works with orchestra to musical theater and programs blending traditional and contemporary repertoire.
This part-time position requires approximately 30–50 hours per month, varying throughout the
season. As SCMC’s principal artistic leader, the Artistic Director will lead the Chorale’s musical
direction, programming, singer development, and performance standards while honoring its traditions and bringing fresh ideas and artistic vision for the future.
Key Responsibilities
Artistic Leadership, Programming & Performance
- Develop and implement SCMC’s artistic vision in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
- Plan varied and engaging programs encompassing choral masterworks, musical theater, traditional repertoire, lesser-known works, and contemporary music.
- Select repertoire appropriate to the ensemble while encouraging continued artistic growth.
- Prepare for and conduct all scheduled rehearsals, concerts, and authorized performances, including technical, orchestra, and dress rehearsals as required.
- Develop effective rehearsal plans and clearly communicate musical and preparation expectations.
- Maintain high standards of musicianship and performance while creating a productive, respectful, educational, and artistically challenging rehearsal environment.
- Apply principles of vocal and choral pedagogy to develop ensemble sound and promote healthy, sustainable, and stylistically appropriate singing.
- Audition prospective singers and make membership and voice-placement decisions based on musical qualifications and ensemble needs.
- Collaborate effectively with accompanists, instrumentalists, soloists, section leaders, and guest artists.
- Maintain current knowledge of choral repertoire, performance practices, and developments within the choral arts.
Board and Organizational Collaboration
The Artistic Director leads the musical and artistic direction of SCMC, while the Board retains responsibility for organizational governance, finances, contractual commitments, and strategic oversight.
- Advise the Board on programming, artistic personnel, collaborations, staging, and performance presentation.
- Participate in season planning and long-range artistic discussions.
- Communicate artistic needs, opportunities, and concerns in a timely and constructive manner.
- Participate in Board meetings when appropriate.
- Work within established budgets and operational parameters.
- Represent SCMC professionally within the arts community and with audiences, donors, and community partners.
- Participate in fundraising, donor, patron, and community events as reasonably requested.
- Support grant, sponsorship, educational, and community initiatives related to SCMC’s artistic activities.
- Develop relationships with schools, colleges, musicians, arts organizations, and potential collaborators.
- Participate in promotional activities that support SCMC’s concerts and visibility.
Required Qualifications
- Degrees in Choral Conducting and Choral/Vocal Pedagogy.
- Significant experience conducting adult choral ensembles.
- Advanced knowledge of choral literature across multiple periods and styles.
- Strong conducting, rehearsal, score-preparation, and interpretive skills.
- Demonstrated expertise in vocal production and healthy choral technique.
- Ability to communicate musical concepts effectively to singers with varying backgrounds and experience.
- Demonstrated ability to develop cohesive and engaging concert programs.
- Experience working with professional instrumentalists, orchestras, soloists, and guest artists.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with a nonprofit Board of Directors.
Preferred Qualifications
- Leadership of an established community, professional, or semi-professional choral organization.
- Conducting major choral-orchestral repertoire.
- Experience within nonprofit performing arts organizations.
- Community engagement, audience development, donor relations, or arts partnerships.
Organizational Relationship & Compensation
The Artistic Director & Conductor reports to and works collaboratively with the Board of Directors of Friends of Choral Music.
The selected candidate will enter into a written agreement establishing the term of service, compensation schedule, performance expectations and review, reimbursable expenses, services outside the regular concert season, and other conditions of the engagement.
Selected candidates may be asked to provide additional materials, including conducting samples, references, and proposed programming ideas, and to participate in an interview and rehearsal/audition process. Applications will be reviewed as received and accepted until the position is filled.