Position Highlight
When you join the Choral Arts Initiative family as an Assistant Director, you will directly impact the organization's artistic vision. You must have a passion for new music and be open to new and diverse ways to express music with the human voice. You will work in collaboration with the Artistic Director. You should be curious and open to learning. You will be a part of an artistic team that views excellence as a daily practice, not a destination or achievement.
Detailed Position Summary
Choral Arts Initiative seeks a highly skilled and passionate musician to serve as its Assistant Conductor. Working and learning in partnership with the Artistic Director, the Assistant Conductor ideally has a dedicated interest in contemporary choral music, demonstrates superb perception of pitch and intonation, possesses proficient conducting technique, and demonstrates efficient rehearsal preparation skills. The Assistant Conductor must be available and musically prepared to lead all or a portion of rehearsals, performances, and other outreach performances with little to no advance notice in the Southern California region. The Assistant Conductor will also engage in artistic planning and programming discussions and actively participate in the organization's artistic operations. The Assistant Conductor must be able to work effectively with professional musicians and be available to serve as an ambassador for the Artistic Director and the organization in all performances, events, and guest interactions.
Primary Responsibilities
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Be musically prepared to cover for the Artistic Director for all Choral Arts Initiative rehearsals and performances – sometimes with little to no advance notice in the Southern California region. Conduct rehearsals and/or sectional rehearsals as requested.
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Attend all rehearsals and collaborate with the Artistic Director and Artistic Leadership Team in all performance areas, including balance, blend, intonation, diction, and expression, actively assisting as needed.
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The Assistant Conductor may be asked to prepare the ensemble and attend performances in partnership with outside organizations (outreach events) and other guest ensembles when the Artistic Director is unavailable.
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Collaborate with the Artistic Director on programming and repertory, and positively contribute to artistic planning discussions.
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Prepare rehearsal and performance ensemble seating charts.
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Assist in the compilation of repertoire research, ensemble/voicing requirements, roster needs, and other musical or logistical matters.
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Screen and audition new Choral Artist candidates in collaboration with the Artistic Director.
Conducting Choral Arts Initiative Performances:
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The Artistic Director and Assistant Conductor will work in partnership to identify conducting opportunities in both rehearsals and performances during the main season. The Assistant Conductor may be asked to program, prepare, and conduct special services such as community performances and other for-hire events.
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Serve as the primary Conductor of the annual PREMIERE|Project Summer Festival.
Ideal Candidates Will Have:
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A degree in Music or Choral Conducting, or equivalent experience working with semi-professional and/or professional-level choral ensembles.
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Demonstrated experience preparing and conducting a chorus with adults at an advanced level.
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Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency of vocal technique, and willingness to explore non-traditional vocal techniques.
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Excellent communication, organization, and leadership skills.
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Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with Choral Arts Initiative Artistic and Administrative staff, the Board of Directors, and other internal and external stakeholders.
Application Process
Choral Arts Initiative is committed to cultivating a vibrant and diverse community. No applicant meets 100% of the job description criteria. If you believe you meet most of the criteria, you are encouraged to apply. We strongly encourage applicants to consider their ability to attend rehearsals or performances in the Southern California region on short notice.
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A current CV including significant repertoire and ensembles conducted.
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A cover letter detailing your interest in new choral music, and how the mission and vision of Choral Arts Initiative resonates with your personal and professional goals as a musician.
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A video compilation to include: 10 minutes of rehearsal footage and five minutes of performance footage. The screening committee will view no more than fifteen minutes of total footage. Contemporary choral repertoire is preferred if footage is available. Camera view should be facing the candidate from the perspective of a choir. Rehearsal footage should include significant portions where the applicant stops and rehearses the ensemble to demonstrate how the conductor influences and improves sound through both verbal and nonverbal communication. Run-throughs in rehearsal will not be considered. Applicants must submit the video compilation electronically via direct unlisted/private YouTube, Google Drive, or DropBox link. The link should be a “click and play” without requiring credentials or accounts. The link will not be shared outside of the search committee.
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Up to two (2) letters of recommendation are highly encouraged, but are not required. Letters may be attached directly to the online application submission or may be submitted by the recommender directly to info@choralartsinitiative.org with the subject line: ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR SEARCH: [INSERT CANDIDATE LAST NAME]. The same applications apply.
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Selected candidates will be invited to an interview.
Finalists may be invited to additional rounds of interviews or an audition.​
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Compensation
The Assistant Conductor is paid on a per-call basis as an Independent Contractor. Call fees vary based on the type of call (e.g., Administrative Call; Standard Call; Extended Call) and range from $55 – $155. Annual call increases are available subject to satisfactory performance appraisals.
Paid membership in Chorus America is provided by Choral Arts Initiative. Additionally, an annual stipend to support the costs associated with attending a national conference are available after a successful probationary period.
About Choral Arts Initiative
Mission:
Inspired by the call to champion new music, Choral Arts Initiative works in partnership with composers and the community to illuminate emerging choral music, and to inspire musical creativity.
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Vision:
To be the world-class destination for new choral music for composers, singers, and audiences.
Founded by Artistic Director Brandon Elliott, Choral Arts Initiative is a non-profit 501(c)(3) choral organization comprised of some of the most talented and passionate new music vocal artists in the Southern California region. Widely recognized as a champion of new music, Choral Arts Initiative has been praised as "gracefully lyrical" (Tim Mangan, Voice of OC), hailed as one of Orange County’s "Best Choirs" (CBS News, Los Angeles), and noted for its "sublime" and "triumphant" performances (Ron Schepper, Textura). Winner of the American Prize in Choral Performance, recipient of the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming, and Winner of the San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards for Best New Music Performance, Choral Arts Initiative continues its commitment to musical innovation. The ensemble was the invited headliner for the American Choral Directors Association Western Division Conference in 2024. Their inaugural album, "How to Go On: The Choral Works of Dale Trumbore," ranked #6 on the Billboard Charts (Traditional Classical Albums), and #4 Best Seller on iTunes Classical Charts. Their second album, "From Wilderness: A Meditation on the Pacific Crest Trail" charted for three weeks on Billboard and was the #1 Best Seller on Amazon and iTunes. Their third album released on March 8, 2024, and quickly soared to #1 on the Billboard Charts (Traditional Classical Albums). Their passion for new music has led to the commission of twenty-five compositions and the premiere of over one hundred works.​