Artistic Director

Position Summary: The Artistic Director (AD) determines the artistic direction of the Chorus, selecting music and themes. The AD creates concert programs, auditions singers (twice a year), conducts rehearsals, and develops the musical skills of the members. The AD works collaboratively with the accompanist to manage sectional rehearsals.

• Develops programming and determines concert theme and repertoire, coordinating with the Music Librarian about the ordering and distribution of music.
• Collaborates with the accompanist in preparing and presenting the season’s major concerts.
• Directs weekly (Tuesday evenings) and occasional extra rehearsals of the Chorus during the season; communicates with members in a regular and timely fashion about details of rehearsals.
• Collaborates with the accompanist in creating small ensembles for concerts and outreach programs.
• Secures additional musical performers for performances, as needed.
• Conducts chorus, instrumentalists, and ensembles (as needed) in performances.
• Communicates regularly with the Chorus Board and other Chorus leadership; attends Board meetings and planning initiatives as Ex-Officio Member and provides a monthly report to the Board and coordinates on performance details.
• Networks with other arts organizations, music directors, and community groups to increase the visibility of the Chorus and to explore collaborative opportunities and build relationships.

NWSB currently rehearses on Tuesday evenings (7:00pm-9:30pm EST) at Grace United Methodist Church (5407 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21212). The traditional schedule of NWSB is two semesters, September through December and January through June, with concerts in early December and early June. The spring semester also includes a Showcase/Cabaret fundraising event with musical theater elements, solos, and small group performances.

NWSB also performs one to three outreach performances in the community per semester, which involve 15-60 minutes of music and take place at another organization’s event.

• Holds at the minimum a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area, such as Conducting, Music Education, Music Performance, or Church Music.
• Has 3 or more years of choral conducting experience.
• In conducting, has used gender-inclusive knowledge of appropriate vocal techniques for all voice types using an ability to sing a cappella and demonstrate vocal parts.
• Has directed choral music from a variety of genres, including classical and popular/contemporary.

• Holds advanced (Master) degree in relevant area.
• Has ability to play the piano.
• Maintains musical integrity and high level of musical standards and challenges and supports the chorus with these standards.
• Has demonstrated skill in training and instructing singers with diverse musical background.
• Has experience in directing choruses of varying sizes.
• Models and encourages motivation, discipline, and joy of singing.
• Works effectively with boards, accompanists, and volunteers.
• Demonstrates respect for and an awareness of the challenges faced by transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. Understands and appreciates the LGBTQ+ community’s struggles for equality and celebrations of achievements.