Current Employment Opportunities

Chorus Niagara

invites applications for the positions of

Associate Conductor

Location: St. Catharines, Ontario

Position Duration: September 2024 – June 2025

About Us: Chorus Niagara is one of Canada’s premier choral organizations, renowned for its dedication to artistic excellence and community engagement. Under the direction of Robert Cooper, we bring together passionate singers to create powerful musical experiences.

Position Summary: Chorus Niagara seeks a motivated, collaborative, and energetic individual to serve as Associate Conductor for the choir. This position offers an emerging conductor a unique opportunity to lead an engaged and dedicated community of singers, gain valuable experience in both rehearsals and performances, understand the logistics of running a choral organization, and learn from one of Canada’s foremost choral musicians, Robert Cooper.

Key Responsibilities

• Rehearsals and Performances: Attend and sing at all rehearsals and concerts (held weekly on Monday evenings in St. Catharines). Conduct the choir in rehearsals and performances as assigned, lead occasional sectional rehearsals and warm-ups;

• Logistical Support: Assist the Artistic Director with logistical tasks around rehearsal and concert preparation;

• Program Oversight: Oversee the Robert Cooper Choral Scholars program and its participants;

• Feedback and Instruction: Receive feedback and instruction from the Artistic Director;

• Artistic Collaboration: Provide collaborative insight into artistic programming and the choir’s development;

• Committee Participation: Serve as a member of the choir’s Programming Committee and Youth Engagement Committee (meetings held a few times per season);

• Administrative Meetings: Occasionally meet with the choir Chair, Managing Director, and Artistic Director as requested.

Qualifications

• Education: Preferred candidates will have completed a B.Mus and are pursuing advanced studies in conducting (Master’s degree or equivalent experience);

• Skills: Strong vocal ability and significant choral experience, excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills. Ability to work collaboratively and energetically with a diverse group of singers.

Application Process

Interested candidates should email a resume and a letter of intent (no longer than 1 page) detailing why they are interested in this position. Conducting video footage may be requested.

Contact Information

Please email materials to Elise Naccarato, CN Managing Director, at chorusniagara100@gmail.com. Applications will remain open until a suitable candidate is found or until Friday, August 30th , 2024.

Compensation

An honorarium, commensurate with experience, is offered for this position.

Equity Statement

Chorus Niagara is committed to equity in hiring and specifically encourages applications from individuals from communities of color, LGBTQ2S+, Indigenous, disabled, and other equity-seeking communities. We are dedicated to providing accessible services and communications to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation during the application and recruitment process, please contact us at chorusniagara100@gmail.com.

Eligibility

Please note that all applicants must be currently eligible to work in Canada.

As this position for a conductor early in their career, preference will be given to candidates in school or no older than the age of 35.

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Chorus Niagara Children's Choir Accompanist

Job Description: Accompanist for Chorus Niagara Children’s Choir (CNCC), Training Choir (TC) and Intermediate Choir (IC)

Start Date: September 2024 - May 2025. One Year contract to be renewed annually.

Purpose of Position: To provide piano accompaniment for the Training Choir (ages 3-6) and Intermediate Choir (ages 7-11) for rehearsals and concerts, and other events as required for the CNCC, the Niagara Region’s premier children’s community choral organization.

The Accompanist is responsible for the following duties:

Accompany all IC and TC CNCC rehearsals and events. Regular rehearsals take place Wednesday evenings in St. Catharines which are scheduled from 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm (Training Choir) and 6 pm – 7:30 pm (Intermediate Choir) from September to the end of May. Additional events may include:

• One choral retreat (full day)

• Two seasonal concerts each year, with one dress rehearsal before each concert

• Accompany and lead sectionals as needed

• Provide accompaniment for auditions and vocal placements

• Accompany/play for additional concerts and events as outlined in the schedule

Skills

•Excellent musicianship and playing ability

• Strong sight-reading and transposition skills

• Knowledge of stylistic features, traditions and performance practice of music including classical, jazz, popular, world music an asset

• Ability to take sectional rehearsals on occasion

• Independent worker

• Knowledge of choral repertoire for children

• A comfort with, and an ability to accompany soloists

• A comfort with, and an ability to act as a member of a small instrumental ensemble

• Ability to play from piano scores as well as the ability to reduce choral parts and play from the open score as needed for rehearsals

• Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions

• Belief in high standards

• The ability to work with young singers from a wide variety of backgrounds and skill in a kind and nurturing way

• Resident of Niagara Region preferred

Qualities and communication

• A love of choral music and working with young singers

• Pleasant interpersonal skills, commitment to professional courtesy, able to work cooperatively with others

• Ability to share musical ideas in rehearsals in a way that promotes good singing and music-making

• Needs to be organized and able to keep track of rehearsal schedules, repertoire and staff meetings (as needed)

• Be in regular communication with the Artistic Director and Training and Intermediate Choir Conductor to make sure plans and rehearsals run smoothly

Compensation

• This is a per service engagement, compensated at between $80 - $100/service (based on experience)

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in music minimum (Masters preferred). Successful record of experience in collaborative accompaniment is preferred

Application Process

Please include in your application a cover letter;

curriculum vitae;

and where possible, links to video recordings of you accompanying a choir, or audio files of the performance.

Deadline

Application deadline is Sunday, June 30th 2024. Please send materials electronically, to Elise Naccarato via chorusniagara100@gmail.com indicating CNCC ACCOMPANIST in the subject line. Chorus Niagara will review the applicants immediately and will continue only until an appointment is made. The position may be filled before the closing date.

Equity Statement

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