Encore Vocal Arts (http://www.encorevocalarts.org/), a 32-member Indianapolis-based not-for-profit choral group, is looking for an Artistic Director to lead the ensemble in its 2015/2016 season!
Encore’s mission is to save choral music by revitalizing it for tomorrow. Each event will immerse the audience in an all-encompassing, multi-sensory experience from the moment they walk in the door of an event to an after-performance experience. Our formula is:
(Emotainment + Edutainment + Multitainment) x Great Choral Singing = Fantastical Experience
Genre includes an eclectic mix of musical styles, from jazz and contemporary to traditional chamber choir masterworks. Performances will incorporate creative, unique components like vocals looped through a processor and laid over live percussion, classics remixed with electronic dance tracks, a local actor portraying, for example John Lennon or Cole Porter in short scenes interwoven with the music. Audience members might create mini-Monet watercolors during choral music that fuses French impressionist music with live painting by artists of the Hoosier Salon. Kids might stop to have their picture taken with the witch from the opera Dido and Aeneas. Or be escorted to their seats by a cowboy while Encore sings the soundtrack to the groundbreaking 1928 silent film The Wind.
The Artistic Director is responsible for insuring that all musical and artistic outcomes create this all-encompassing experience. A part-time position, the Artistic Director is a member of the Board of Directors and plans each concert season in cooperation with the Artistic Committee of the Board. The Artistic Director must command the respect of the singers, have an excellent working relationship with the Board, have a positive, professional, and collaborative relationship with other musical organizations and musicians and with the community, and participate in promotional and audience development activities.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Artistic/Performance Functions
- Plan and submit to the Board for approval by the January board meeting, and run a minimum of 5 artistic programs that support Encore’s mission in all aspects.
- Design each concert performance including theme development and integration of guest artists, ensembles, soloists, instrumentalists, dancers, and visual elements.
- Oversee the technical and production elements of performances, including sets, costumes and attire, venue-scheduling.
- Conduct all performances
- Audition prospective new singers to build artistic quality
- Audition, select, coach, and prepare soloists and small groups of singers
- Prepare and conduct weekly rehearsals and additional rehearsals as needed.
- Present program notes and educational components orally during performances in an entertaining style, i.e. effective at “edutainment”
- Leadership Functions
- Lead the singer team in a way that fosters and results in a high degree of trust, accountability, and commitment
- Attract and retain singers consistent with the artistic quality outlined in the mission.
- Select and effectively utilize SATB section leaders to share the workload and maximize singer input, communication, and assistance.
- Outreach Functions
- Actively investigate and organize collaborative ventures with other artists and artistic organizations.
- Promote Encore in conjunction with the Executive Director including marketing and sponsorship meetings, radio and TV interviews, representing Encore at various community arts-related events.
- Seek opportunities for the chorus to perform outside of scheduled concerts.
- Communication and Partnership Functions
- Actively involve singers in show prep, music, rehearsals, schedules, and other areas that affect them.
- Work as needed with all Board committees, section leaders, performance attire coordinator, librarian, and other volunteers to ensure the smooth operation and a sense of involvement.
- Communicate in writing with singers as to dates, times, locations, music and dress for all events. Keep singers informed of Encore goals, Board goals, and activities.
- Maintain good working relationships with the Accompanist, Executive Director, and singers, effectively delegating appropriate tasks to each.
- Administrative Functions
- Provide information for press releases, program notes, marketing materials, printed programs, newsletters, handbook, materials ordering well ahead of shows.
- Submit typed concert order, text and translations, program notes, soloists, etc. six weeks prior to each concert date for use in the printed program
- Submit a report for every Board meeting or as requested and attend all Board meetings.
- Lead and use the Artistic and/or Production Committees effectively. Participate on the Operations Committee.
- Assist with corporate calls, grant-writing in terms of artistic content, and public relations opportunities. Create collaborations and other opportunities that aid in the securing of greater funding.
- Assist with the design and implementation of all outreach programs.
- Remain accessible and responsive to all members of the organization.
Reporting Relationships
The Artistic Director reports to the Board of Directors. The Accompanist, Assistant Conductor, production volunteers, section leaders, and singers report to the Artistic Director. The Executive Director works with the Artistic Director and also reports to the Board of Directors.
Qualifications
Philosophical belief in Encore’s mission, willingness and ability to plan the kind of creative experiences Encore’s mission calls for, leadership skills particularly in the areas of planning, organizing, managing and delegating the many and varied tasks required to pull off the complicated shows Encore does, high level of training in choral conducting in the community setting; expertise in vocal technique, languages, and choral diction; connected to the Indianapolis arts community; experience in orchestral conducting. Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, graduate degree preferred. Salary commensurate with experience.
Once selected for an interview, candidates will be asked to provide:
- Sample of programming for previous concerts
- Samples of recordings of previous concerts (video preferred)
- A proposed program for Encore’s Fall 2015 concert
- Other materials that may support your application
Once the interview is completed candidates may be asked to conduct one piece the choir has already performed, one piece the choir is preparing already, and to introduce one new piece to the choir.
To apply, click on this link: http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH05/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=FLASHPOINT&cws=1&rid=290
Encore Vocal Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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