Artistic Director

The Valley Concert Chorale, now in its 61st season, is the Tri‑Valley’s premier chorus, offering a variety of musical performances to serve the diverse musical tastes of its audiences. We seek to hire an artistic director to lead VCC into its 62nd season, starting January 2025. As our new director, you will be responsible for the following: 

• Lead VCC in three concert sets per performance year, including directing one rehearsal per week during season, all dress rehearsals and occasional sectional rehearsals. 
  • Conduct rehearsals in a manner promoting musical growth and vocal health. Manage rehearsal time appropriately, ensuring the ensemble is adequately prepared to perform. Provide timely feedback/instructions for out-of-rehearsal work by the chorale. Arrange for replacement director in case of absences.
• Design musical programming with approval by the Board of Directors
  • When selecting music that requires accompanying musicians, work with the Board to assure financial resources are in place. Arrange for musicians. 
• Communicate clearly and in a timely manner with Board and Chorale members.
• Work collaboratively with the Board of Directors. Advise on artistic elements in the preparation of grant applications. Attend board meetings at least three times per year. Support advertising and marketing, for example by preparing program notes for each concert that communicate artistic vision. 
• Work with the local community to raise the visibility and impact of VCC.

Required Criteria

• 3 years’ experience leading a vocal ensemble
• Experience selecting music that provides opportunities for musical growth yet remains appropriate to the skillset of the singing members.
• Academic degree in music or substantial experience
• Ability to work collaboratively with Chorale leadership

Desired Criteria

• Collaborative musician with at least 5 years’ experience leading an audition-based, multi-aged, volunteer community choral ensemble
• Academic degree in choral conducting with substantial experience with vocal pedagogy
• Experience programming a range of musical styles, including from a diverse range of contemporary composers
• Experience bringing multiple choral organizations together for larger programs
• Relationships and performance experiences with multiple musical organizations in the SF Bay area.
• Experienced bridging into schools and partnering with other community organizations

Salary range: $25,000 to $30,000, commensurate with experience.

Application: Please send the following materials (with hyperlinks as needed) to [email protected] no later than July 8, 2024: 

• Resume
• Names of three references who are familiar with your choral directing work, with contact information
• Paragraph discussing your teaching and conducting philosophy
• Video (Preferred) or audio of a performance with name of group, repertoire, date, and location of performance
• Sample programs you have directed and/or performed
• Proposed musical selections for VCC for an entire year (three concert sets)

Valley Concert Chorale’s mission is to inspire our community with the transforming power of music by expressing our passion and joy in live performance. VCC is dedicated to excellence in singing choral music of many genres, nurturing the next generation of singers, and supporting musical endeavors across the Tri‑Valley community. 

We seek to grow through the following objectives: Growing the quality of the chorale including by fostering and using VCC talent; Building community within VCC and advancing the value proposition for VCC singers; Recruiting new singers who will complement our current roster; Updating our advertising and marketing to grow our audience and visibility within the Tri-Valley community; and Deepening our engagement with our audience.  

For more information, please see https://www.valleyconcertchorale.org/ or contact [email protected].