Chorus Manager, Junior Ensemble and Bass Ensemble - Brooklyn Youth Chorus

BROOKLYN YOUTH CHORUS

Chorus Manager, Junior Ensemble and Bass Ensemble



Brooklyn Youth Chorus is seeking a full-time Chorus Manager for its Junior Ensemble (treble performing ensemble) and Bass Ensemble (tenor/bass performing ensemble) with an educator mindset, proactive data-driven logistic skills, and strong communication and relationship-building capabilities. The Chorus Manager is responsible for coordinating logistics, communications, company needs, and chorister supervision for ensemble rehearsals, performances, and tours and will provide additional program administrative support.





The Chorus Manager is responsible for, but not limited to, tasks related to and in support of Brooklyn Youth Chorus Junior Ensemble and Bass Ensemble in the following areas of program administration:

Rehearsals

Chorister and Family Relationships & Communication

Performance and Tour Support

General Program Administrative Support



REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position will report to the Director of Program Operations, and will work in close collaboration with the Founder & Artistic Director and Director of Choral Education (co-conductors of Junior Ensemble), Bass Ensemble Conductor, Production & Events Manager, and Concert Ensemble Chorus Manager, and will serve on the program team.



ABOUT BROOKLYN YOUTH CHORUS

Brooklyn Youth Chorus is an award-winning city-wide music education and vocal performance program for children ages 5-18 of all levels of experience. As a collective of young singers and vocal ensembles, Brooklyn Youth Chorus is reimagining choral music performance through artistic innovation, collaboration, and an incredibly versatile range and repertoire. The Chorus’s multi-level training program draws students from across the five boroughs and combines intensive voice training and musicianship study with exceptional performance experiences. Children of diverse backgrounds come to the Chorus to share their love singing, make new friends, and achieve and surpass their musical goals. Brooklyn Youth Chorus believes every voice matters and is committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive community based on respect for each individual and an appreciation of our differences. To ensure access to all students, regardless of background or financial circumstances, the Chorus provides broad financial support for both chorus and elective music program tuition. Founded in 1992 by Artistic Director Dianne Berkun Menaker, Brooklyn Youth Chorus has served over 10,000 students over its thirty three-year history with hundreds enrolling each year in its core after-school and public school outreach programs. Classes take place in Brooklyn at their Cobble Hill headquarters and neighborhood locations in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Carroll Gardens, and Brooklyn Heights. www.brooklynyouthchorus.org







RESPONSIBILITIES



The Junior Ensemble and Bass Ensemble Chorus Manager will:



Rehearsal Management:

Set up, manage, and provide student supervision for all assigned chorus rehearsals.

Prepare and maintain an orderly and well-stocked rehearsal room (i.e. prepare, distribute, and maintain all musical scores, pencils, and educational materials, set up chairs, etc.) and ensure support materials are prepared and available for use for each rehearsal (i.e. student scores, musical instruments, props, audio-visual equipment, etc.).

Maintain attendance records and enforce attendance policies, including updating database and regularly communicating attendance status with families and conductors.

Create and communicate rehearsal schedules for accompanists, guest artists, performers, and conductors.

Schedule and manage sub pianists when the regular pianist is out.

Take and distribute rehearsal notes as requested by the conductors.

Build rehearsal and performance seating and voice charts in collaboration with the conductors.

Enter and maintain scores in the music library and filemaker database (record new repertoire, update inventory and maintain performance tags).



Chorister/Family Communications and Relationships:

Monitor the general well being of choristers and cultivate strong professional relationships with each chorister and chorister family.

Draft and send weekly memos and event-specific communications providing information about upcoming rehearsals, performances, events, materials, and more.

Manage “Members Area” of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Website for the Junior Ensemble and Bass Ensemble (i.e. posting relevant audio, video, rehearsal/performance schedules, and other support materials).

Communicate with individual choristers and families regarding attendance, behavioral, and other issues and opportunities as they arise and answer questions and concerns on a regular basis. Regularly communicate attendance, behavioral issues, and other concerns to ensemble conductors and Director of Program Operations and work with team to resolve these and other issues and concerns.

Schedule and help lead parent meetings for specific events and tours in collaboration with the conductors.

Coordinate, schedule, and track annual written and vocal assessments in collaboration with the conductors and other administrative staff.



Performance and Tour Support:

Create performance and tour schedules in collaboration with artistic and administrative staff and communicate schedules internally and externally.

Create and analyze performance polls to track chorister availability and compile event rosters, voice charts, standing charts, and stage plots .

Track, distribute, prep, and maintain any wardrobe/uniforms/costumes and ensure that all choristers have complete, clean, and well-fitting performance attire.

Attend site visits as necessary to ensure appropriate holding space and facilities and to assist conductor with staging logistics.

Support Production Manager to coordinate musician hires, prepare instrumental scores, determine audio-visual equipment needs and assess and communicate chorister food and transportation needs.

Assist with vendor bookings particularly for transportation, food and hospitality, accommodation, and costume/uniforms and distribute petty cash as needed (i.e. for tips, tolls and supplies, and chorister-related items).

Recruit and coordinate parent chaperones as needed.

Work collaboratively with other administrative and artistic staff to support all tour and performance events both ensemble and all-school.



General Program Administrative Support:

Oversee mentor/mentee initiatives in Junior and/or Bass Ensemble.

Support Summer High School Internship Program and College and Career Readiness Initiative together with the Director of Choral Education and other Chorus Manager including coordinating performing arts high school and college panels, college counseling, professional mentorships, vocal masterclasses, and summer intern activities.

Work with the Director of Program Operations to organize and maintain the music library on an ongoing basis.

Liaise with alumni on alumni initiatives.

Provide additional program administrative staff coverage and support as needed; a team player is a must.





QUALIFICATIONS

Belief in the mission and core values of Brooklyn Youth Chorus

Experience working with young people from a diverse set of backgrounds

Knowledge of and ability to read music

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to establish good working relationships with choristers, families, and colleagues

Excellent time management and project management skills with the ability to drive multiple projects simultaneously

Ability to collect, organize, and analyze information with attention to detail and ability to draw high-level conclusions and recommendations from data

Facility and competency working with and/or learning myriad digital communications, database, and music-related technologies and platforms including any of the following: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Mailchimp, FileMaker, and/or Sibelius preferred

Flexibility to work some nights and weekends

Bachelor’s Degree in music, music education, and/or arts administration preferred







COMPENSATION

$48,000-$53,000 commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits offered, including generous vacation package, medical, dental, and vision insurance.





EQUITY & INCLUSION

Brooklyn Youth Chorus is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas including artistic and education programs and recruitment of choristers, volunteers, staff, and its Board of Trustees.



We stand for absolute respect for each individual; an appreciation and understanding of the broad spectrum of all our differences be they cultural, racial, religious, socio-economic, or based on sexual identity, gender, physical or intellectual ability; and the ability to experience bonds of friendship through the joy of music. We celebrate open-mindedness and critical thinking, and seek to create opportunities for students to explore and embrace these important values together. We recognize that a diverse community is an asset that must be continually cared for, preserved, and enhanced, with constant attention, for the benefit of all its members.





APPLICATION

Please send a resume, cover letter, and at least two professional references to resume@brooklynyouthchorus.org. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered. Only qualified candidates will be contacted. No calls, please. EOE.






Salary: $48,000-$63,000