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Job title: Conductor, Emerging Voices Ensemble for Boys

Chorus/organization name: Los Angeles Children's Chorus

Category: Artistic

Duties and responsibilities: Position Summary The Conductor of the Emerging Voices Ensemble for boys is a member of Los Angeles Children’s Chorus’ (LACC) artistic team and conducting staff. The Conductor is a part-time employee (10 hours/week for 10 months/year) of Los Angeles Children's Chorus and reports directly to LACC’s Artistic Director. The Conductor will be an ambassador for Los Angeles Children's Chorus and its chorister members, and will be a colleague to all artistic and administrative staff. In conjunction with LACC’s artistic and administrative staff, the Conductor will support in his/her work the mission of the organization to educate, develop, and inspire musically talented boys to attain a high level of choral artistry.

Primary Responsibilities of Conductor:
- Serving as principal conductor of LACC’s Emerging Voices Ensemble for Boys;
- Teaching and participating in LACC performances, rehearsals, workshops and classes as necessary and assigned.

Additional Conductor Responsibilities:
- Holding vocal assessments, prior to the first rehearsal, for each interested LACC alumni member to evaluate vocal health and abilities, as well as ear acuity;
- Selecting ensemble repertoire, in conjunction with LACC’s Artistic Director, based on the number and ability of assessed candidates;
- Determining rehearsal, class, activity and performance calendar with Artistic Director, Executive Director, Musicianship Coordinator, and Chorus Managers;
- Participating in twice-yearly chorister evaluations for all members of the Emerging Voices Ensemble; providing written mid-year progress reports to chorister families;
- Hiring accompanist from LACC’s current roster or elsewhere in conjunction with Associate Artistic Director; - Hiring suitable and experienced vocal coach from LACC’s current roster or elsewhere in conjunction with Associate Artistic Director and senior vocal coach;
- Working with Artistic and Executive Directors to identify and select suitable uniforms;
- Working with Artistic and Executive Directors to identify and select suitable ensemble name;
- Providing support to musicianship classes, as required;

The Conductor assists in LACC communications and supports the life of the LACC by:
- Reviewing and contributing to relevant LACC handouts in advance of distribution;
- Writing articles as assigned for the newsletter "Accents" and other publications as assigned;
- Advising choir members of important events in the life of the Chorus;
- Attending and assisting with social and fundraising events as requested;
- Assisting with publicity needs as requested.

The Conductor attends:
- LACC concerts, musical events and rehearsals as assigned;
- Artistic staff meetings as planned by the Artistic Director;
- Additional concerts, meetings and events as needed and determined in conjunction with the Artistic Director.

Musical Goals and Objectives for LACC’s Emerging Voices Ensemble:
- Assisting in the establishment of LACC’s new Emerging Voices Ensemble for boys in accordance with LACC’s mission and adherence to its high artistic standards;
- Leading the ensemble in bel canto vocal production with emphasis on breath management and vowel placement to allow for resonance, clarity, healthy technique and vocal beauty;
- Selecting repertoire, in conjunction with LACC’s Artistic Director, to include compositions by master composers representing all periods from the Western Music canon
- sacred and secular, folks songs, spirituals, gospel, and jazz;
- Guiding the ensemble to sing in a variety of languages throughout the season including Latin, Italian, German, French, Hebrew, and English and many others;
- Encouraging ensemble singing with true intonation in unison and possibly multiple parts.

The Conductor will have the opportunity to participate in professional development as needed and requested. Activities and content of this professional development will be discussed and determined with the Artistic Director in advance. LACC will contribute financial resources, as it can, for this professional development. Other relevant duties as assigned.

Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in music strongly recommended;
- Master’s degree in conducting or music preferred;
- Minimum 4 years conducting experience;
- Previous experience working with children and emerging/changed voices;
- Dynamic personality, collaborative spirit;
- Experience in choral arranging for emerging voices a plus.

Compensation: Commensurate with Experience

Chorus/organization description: Los Angeles Children’s Chorus was founded in 1986 and is noted throughout the country for its exceptional artistic quality and technical ability. It frequently performs with such leading musical ensembles as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Under Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson, LACC also assists Los Angeles Opera by providing and training children for opera productions that require children’s chorus or soloists. LACC currently serves more than 290 choristers from 60 communities across Los Angeles in five choirs (Concert, Chamber Singers, Intermediate, Apprentice and Preparatory) and one new class for young singers, First Experiences in Singing. The intensive training program includes weekly or twice weekly rehearsals. All children receive individual voice coaching and take comprehensive musicianship classes. LACC has toured Brazil, China, Great Britain, Italy, Australia, Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland as well as many parts of the United States and Canada. It is featured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary film, “SING!,” which chronicles a year in the life of the choir and is shown periodically on PBS stations nationwide, and the recently-released documentary “SING OPERA!.” Open auditions take place each May.

Location: Pasadena, California

Application deadline: Until Filled


Date Posted: March 25, 2009

Date to be removed: June 30, 2009

Apply to name: Rachel Fine

Apply to email: rfine@lachildrenschorus.org

 

Fax: 626-793-0173

Chorus/organization web address: http://www.lachildrenschorus.org

Application procedure: EMERGING VOICES ENSEMBLE CONDUCTOR SEARCH Attention: Rachel Fine Los Angeles Children’s Chorus 585 E. Colorado Boulevard Pasadena, CA 91101 FAX: (626) 793-0173 EMAIL: rfine@lachildrenschorus.org NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE Out-of-area and out-of-state candidates will travel at own expense.

 


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