Artistic Director and Conductor/GMCLA
Position Overview
The Artistic Director is responsible for the formulation, planning and implementation of the artistic vision for the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA), one of the pre-eminent male choruses and one of the leading LGBT performing arts organizations in the country. The Artistic Director will lead the chorus in its primary strategic initiative – to exemplify the highest standards of musicianship, artistry and entertainment while developing the unique style characteristic of the GMCLA brand.
Candidates should display a thorough command of choral conducting technique and extensive knowledge of choral repertoire, and must demonstrate proven success in planning and executing concerts with a wide range of musical repertoires and styles. Candidates must demonstrate excellent interpersonal communication skills which will enable them to be a leader to the chorus, as well as within the LGBT community and the community at large.
The Artistic Director will be expected to serve as an official representative and a driving force for the chorus and will show a strong commitment to fulfilling the potential of GMCLA as an artistic and community resource. An understanding of and commitment to GMCLA’s Mission and Strategic Plan is required.
Position reports directly to the Executive Director.
Primary Job Duties
- Oversee all of the musical activities of the organization
- Choose musical selections and develop music programs for rehearsal, production, and performance
- Function as a driving force in the development of creative and innovative new concert ideas and reach out to key individuals to pursue these opportunities.
- Audition prospective and screen current singing members
- Conduct all rehearsals and performances
- Manage the artistic elements of the Alive Music Project and Outside Voices
- Serve as representative for the chorus to the general community
Comprehensive Job Duties
Musical
- Manage the artistic affairs of the Chorus
- Audition new members, soloists and, when needed, instrumentalists
- Schedule, conduct and manage rehearsals
- Select, in consultation with the Executive Director and the member-based Music Advisory Committee, repertoire for all performances, including securing performance rights, mechanical licenses and any required permissions needed for printed and arranged music
- Work in conjunction with production team to develop concepts for and production requirements of all GMCLA concerts
- Help secure prominent and appropriate guest artists
Administrative
- Project budget requirements for all artistic needs of the Chorus and work with Executive Director to provide the annual artistic budget proposal
- Work with the Executive Director to meet or exceed the budgeted earned revenue targets
- Work with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to develop and sustain the Chorus’s mission, vision and strategic plan
- Lead production team and Music Advisory Committees
- Work within the existing structure of GMCLA including, but not limited to, the Membership Committee, the Music Advisory Committee, and the Section Music Leaders
- Provide input to the Executive Director on marketing concepts and media strategies for performances
- Supervise and, when necessary, recruit artistic support staff.
- Attend meetings of the GMCLA Board of Directors, providing reports to the Board as requested
Community-Oriented (including Alive Music Project, Outside Voices)
- Work with the Executive Director to identify appropriate chorus community appearances
- Work with Alive Music Project coordinator to identify appropriate high schools for appearances; conduct all appearances and act as representative
- Work with Outside Voices, the LGBT youth chorus that serves as an extension of GMCLA; conduct all appearances and act as representative
- Attend and actively participate in GMCLA fundraising events, including cultivating significant donors in cooperation with the Executive Director and/or Board
- Participate in media and public relations events
- Maintain appropriate communication with other Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA Choruses), as well as artistic organizations in the greater Los Angeles area
- Perform related work as directed and/or approved by the Executive Director
Qualifications & Experience
Required
- Advanced Music degree (preferably in choral conducting) from an accredited program, or a Bachelor’s of Music degree with commensurate choral conducting experience
- Demonstrated success in directing a chorus of similar (or larger) size with similar artistic goals for a minimum of five years
- Experience in planning and executing cohesive concert programs
- Strong leadership, communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
- Experience with adult, non-profit volunteer organizations
- Development/fundraising experience with a major non-profit arts organization
- Proven ability to meet deadlines and financial targets
- Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Finale
- Demonstrated understanding of the role that culture plays in social change
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion
Preferred
- Facility in arrangement (including SATB to TTBB) and/or composition
- Experience with an LGBT organization or GALA Chorus
- Strong piano playing skills
Compensation
The Artistic Director position is offered as a full-time position and is an exempt position within the meaning of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the California Labor Code and Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders. A competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience is available together with a benefits package that includes health insurance and retirement benefits.
Application Process
Please provide the following items to complete your application package:
- Letter of interest
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae, including any awards and honors received
- Samples of previous programs conducted
- A proposed outline for a season of concerts consisting of three major performances – holiday, spring and summer.
- Two (2) video recordings of performances conducted demonstrating musical artistry and diversity
- One (1) video recording in which the candidate conducts a rehearsal is strongly preferred
- Any additional materials you believe will support your application (e.g. sheet music candidate has arranged or composed, audio recordings of perfomances)
- A minimum of three professional references, including contact information (name, telephone number, email address) as well as their relationship to you (i.e., prior employer, etc.)
Artistic Director Search Committee
Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles
9056 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 300
West Hollywood, CA 90069
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