ABOUT BROOKLYN YOUTH CHORUS

Brooklyn Youth Chorus is an award-winning music education and vocal performance program for New York City children ages 7-18 of all levels of experience. Composed of training divisions leveled by age and ability and performing ensembles that participate in professional-level concerts and recordings, Brooklyn Youth Chorus is a collective of young singers and vocal ensembles that reimagine choral music performance through artistic innovation, collaboration, and an incredibly versatile range and repertoire. The Chorus draws students from across the five boroughs and combines intensive voice training and musicianship study with exceptional performance experiences. Children of diverse backgrounds come to the Chorus to share their love of singing, make new friends, and achieve and surpass their musical goals. Brooklyn Youth Chorus believes every voice matters and is committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive community based on respect for each individual and an appreciation of our differences. To ensure access for all students the Chorus provides broad financial support for both chorus and elective music program tuition. Founded in 1992 by Artistic Director Dianne Berkun Menaker, Brooklyn Youth Chorus has served over 10,000 students over its thirty year history and continues to reach hundreds of singers each year in its core after-school and public school outreach programs. Classes take place at our Cobble Hill headquarters and neighborhood locations in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Cobble Hill, and Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn.
www.brooklynyouthchorus.org

Brooklyn Youth Chorus seeks collaborative and creative Part-Time Chorus Conductor Teaching Artists with a background in children’s/youth choral education (pedagogy, curriculum, repertoire, and voice technique) to conduct one, or more, of its weekly, treble, training division classes. Classes are held after school Monday – Friday, and Saturday mornings and afternoons. Available classes may include Preparatory Division (7-9 year olds), Pre-Teen Division (10-12 year olds) and/or Teen Division (13-18 year olds). Teaching Artists will work collaboratively to choose repertoire, lead rehearsals and performances, and nurture a diverse student body. This position will include training with Brooklyn Youth Chorus Founder and Artistic Director, Dianne Berkun Menaker in the Cross-Choral TrainingⓇ pedagogy. The position is seasonal, running from September-May with school-wide performances in December and May.  Conductors are contracted annually with opportunities for growth both during season and from year to year.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Conductors report to the Director of Choral Education with oversight by the Artistic Director. Conductors will also work closely with the School Administrator, rehearsal managers, conducting faculty, and program team.

The Choral Conductor Teaching Artist will:

Program and Rehearsal Responsibilities

• Train with Founder & Artistic Director to become proficient in her trademarked Cross-Choral Training pedagogy.
• Collaboratively select developmentally- and artistically-appropriate repertoire.
• Lead weekly rehearsals from end of September through May built on Founder & Artistic Director’s proprietary Cross-Choral Training pedagogy.
• Work closely with the Director of Choral Education and School Administrator to meet programmatic needs of the ensemble.
• Work with the program team on individual chorister progress, attendance, annual assessments, and behavioral issues.  
• Participate in monthly conductor faculty meetings.
• Engage in annual training and professional development sessions both classroom-specific and institutional.

Performances

• Conduct your level during annual winter (December) and spring (May) all-school performances.

Auditions and Assessments

• Administer annual vocal assessments for all choristers enrolled in your classes.
• Provide audition support for annual recruiting cycle by working with the School Administrator to sign up to lead audition sessions, open houses, etc. throughout the year.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Belief in the mission and core values of Brooklyn Youth Chorus
• An experienced music educator and choral conductor with a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant experience
• Training and experience with music teaching methods (Kodály, Dalcroze, etc.), philosophy, and pedagogy, with fluency in solfege and metric counting
• An understanding of vocal pedagogy and/or functional voice training specializing in children’s/young adult voices
• Knowledge of and experience teaching and conducting a diverse choral repertoire
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with a small faculty and team
• Flexibility to work some nights and weekends
• Experience working with young people from a diverse set of backgrounds 
• Willingness to learn Brooklyn Youth Chorus’ proprietary Cross-Choral TrainingⓇ pedagogy.
• Must hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher or equivalent experience
• Full COVID-19 inoculation by start date

COMPENSATION

Seasonal base compensation $3,625-6,700 per class depending on weekly rehearsal duration (60, 90, or 120 minute) plus additional compensation for conductor meetings, professional development, training, running auditions, additional artistic projects, et al.

APPLICATION

Please send a resume, cover letter, two stylistically contrasting performance videos (with you conducting), and one classroom teaching video (if available) to resume@brooklynyouthchorus.org. Please be sure to detail your pedagogical training in your application. Please also include your after school weekday and Saturday availability for teaching including potential 2022-2023 conflicts. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered. Only qualified candidates will be contacted. No calls, please. EOE.