Director of Choral Education - Brooklyn Youth Chorus

Director of Choral Education

Brooklyn Youth Chorus is seeking a full-time Director of Choral Education with a strong background in children’s/youth choral education (pedagogy, curriculum, repertoire and voice technique), leadership and management experience, strategic and analytic capabilities, and good verbal and written communication skills to lead Brooklyn Youth Chorus’s training divisions as a key partner to the Founder & Artistic Director. The Director of Choral Education will oversee existing and develop new curricular-based programming, attract and nurture a diverse student body and faculty, and serve as an integral member of the leadership team.



Under the artistic vision of the Founder & Artistic Director, the Director of Choral Education will be responsible for developing a strategic vision and annual calendar for the training division programs and leading a team of full-time and part-time music faculty and arts administrators to execute that vision. This includes overseeing the artistic and pedagogical throughline from the training divisions to the performing ensembles based on the principles of our trademarked Cross-Choral Training® program, developing and deploying curriculum for the training divisions, building a strong calendar of activities to deepen learning for existing choristers and attract new singers, and building new and exciting community partnerships and performance opportunities.



REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS



The Director of Choral Education reports to the Chief Operating Officer with artistic oversight by the Founder & Artistic Director and works in close collaboration with the Director of Development & Institutional Advancement and the Director of Marketing as a member of the senior management team. The Outreach and Public School Manager, School Administrator, and the conducting and electives faculty will report directly to the Director of Choral Education. The Director of Choral Education will also work closely with the rest of the program team including the Program Manager, Registrar, Chorus Managers, program assistants, and accompanists who report to the School Administrator.



RESPONSIBILITIES



The Director of Choral Education will:



Leadership & Strategic Planning:



Serve as a member of the leadership team with the Founder & Artistic Director, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Development & Institutional Advancement, and Director of Marketing & Communications



Collaborate with leadership team on institutional strategic planning



Together with the Founder & Artistic director lead the creation and execution of a comprehensive strategy for the training divisions that supports the organization’s educational and artistic mission



Provide reports to the Board of Trustees on program activities and partner with the Equity and Access Committee of the board to build a trusted group of skilled and experienced advisors to serve and support the Chorus’s program goals



Identify, cultivate, and build strategic community partnerships and performance opportunities to support recruiting and performance objectives



Training Division Management



Lead Brooklyn Youth Chorus’s training divisions, overseeing a dynamic music faculty and dedicated team of arts administrators to develop robust, curricular-based programming, attract and nurture a diverse student body and faculty, and train singers to progress from the training divisions to the performing ensembles



Work from the vision of the Artistic Director to oversee all administrative and artistic aspects of the Training Division programs including the staffing of music faculty, setting schedules and curricular formats, and bringing in artistic guests



Oversee the artistic and pedagogical throughline from the training divisions to the performing ensembles, developing and deploying leveled curriculum for the training divisions,



Manage the School Administrator and provide oversight for the operational aspects of the training division programs



Collaborate with the Artistic Director, COO & School Administrator to create the yearly Performance and School Calendar including annual recruitment and outreach events designed to introduce prospective students to BYC's program



Design and execute community performances and social events to enrich the training division experience in line with curricular and performance goals



Work with COO to create annual departmental budget



Coordinate with the Director of Marketing to ensure the training division’s artistic achievements and events are shared broadly using with appropriate branding and in service of the organization’s communications goals



Provide program-related support to Development staff with grant proposals and other giving initiatives



Education & Curriculum



Train with Founder & Artistic Director to become proficient in her trademarked Cross-Choral Training pedagogy



Lead the development, deployment, and annual review of the choral curriculum for all levels and school programs, with an artistic and educational through-line from entry-level training divisions to top performing ensembles and with attention to the creating and communicating an educational environment and curriculum that equitably supports a diverse student body



Work with Conductors each semester to compile and select repertoire for all performance and educational activities that align with the curriculum



Identify new elective course offerings and other program enhancements (guest artists and composers, master classes, professional mentorship opportunities for choristers, etc.)



Prepare and lead annual vocal and written assessments (including progress reports, re-auditions, and promotions processes), analyze results, and communicate findings with level conductors and Artistic Director



Collaborate with school administrator to lead annual audition cycle and placements



Conducting and Electives Faculty



Lead and build a dynamic team of choral conductors for training division levels and school programs, offering ongoing supervision and mentorship



Observe conducting faculty rehearsals and performances, and provide feedback



Build conductor apprenticeship program to expand, develop and diversify our artistic staff, enabling us to serve a larger student body in culturally responsive ways



Set yearly performance goals, in collaboration with the Artistic Director



Lead monthly conductor faculty meetings and plan professional development



Oversee and build the electives faculty (private lessons, group classes, etc.) to provide additional musical support to our choristers



College and Career Readiness



Manage and develop initiatives to support financial-aid-eligible choristers as they prepare to transition to college and career



Build established and create new fellowship and scholarship programs developed to provide support to financial-aid-eligible choristers



Manage college readiness programming such as panels about applying to Performing Arts Middle Schools, High Schools, and Colleges/Conservatories, Financial Aid information, and other important considerations for choosing Colleges/Conservatories



Artistic



Work with Artistic Director to develop and implement new artistic programs



Lead the selection and oversee preparation of students to participate in contract performances and special events as directed by the Artistic Director



Assist in conducting rehearsals (ensembles or training divisions) or performances as needed



Together with the Founder & Artistic Director expand and oversee the annual composer competition



QUALIFICATIONS



Belief in the mission and core values of Brooklyn Youth Chorus



An experienced music educator and choral conductor with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.



Training and experience with music teaching methods (Kodály, Dalcroze, etc.), philosophy, and pedagogy, with fluency in solfege and metric counting



A deep understanding of vocal pedagogy and/or functional voice training specializing in children’s/young adult voices



An extensive knowledge of a diverse choral repertoire



Excellent written communication and oral presentation skills



Demonstrated success leading a team toward a common goal, emphasizing collaboration, respect, and high performance



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



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, Soundtrap, Noteflight, and/or Sibelius preferred



Experience working with young people from a diverse set of backgrounds



Knowledge of and experience with New York City's arts, education, and arts education communities preferred



Flexibility to work some nights and weekends



Must hold a Bachelor's degree or higher or equivalent experience



Full COVID-19 inoculation by start date



COMPENSATION



$80,000-$90,000 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, two performance videos (with you conducting), and one classroom teaching video (if possible) to resume@brooklynyouthchorus.org. Please be sure to detail your pedagogical training in your application. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered. Only qualified candidates will be contacted. No calls, please. EOE.
Salary: $80,000 - $90,000