Artistic Director Search

The Six Degree Singers invite qualified applicants to apply for the part-time contract position of Artistic Director commencing with the Spring 2024 concert series. For best consideration, applications should be submitted no later than Wednesday, November 15, 2023.

About the Six Degree Singers – Silver Spring, MD

The Six Degree Singers (SDS) is a community choir founded in 2009 and based in Silver Spring, MD, dedicated to expanding knowledge of and appreciation for choral music through performances and educational programming. There are approximately 40 volunteer members in the choir. SDS has performed at venues throughout the DC-metro area, including the Music Center at Strathmore, the Folger Shakespeare Library, and the White House. We proudly commission and premiere works from up-and-coming and local composers, collaborate with other local music groups, and partner with music programs in Montgomery County public schools. A typical concert program features a mix of genres reflecting the broad diversity of the choral music repertoire. Our season runs from September to June with a two concert series performed each January and June.

About the Position:

The Artistic Director will work with the SDS Board of Directors to further its commitment to individual and collective musical growth, fostering camaraderie among its members, and in pursuit of SDS’s mission. The successful candidate will:

  • Uphold highest standards of musical excellence while demonstrating positive energy, enthusiasm, and a sense of fun
  • Articulate a clear artistic vision and create fresh and inspiring programs and projects
  • Strive to make SDS’s programming welcoming and accessible to members, audiences, and communities of diverse backgrounds
  • Actively seek out creative collaborations with other DC area arts organizations and Montgomery County Schools music programs
  • Inspire and forge relationships with audience members and donors
  • Work in close partnership with the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee to maintain the fiscal health of the organization
  • Residency in the Washington, DC area is not mandatory, but is highly desirable. The successful candidate will strive to familiarize themselves with the Silver Spring community, and to forge strong relationships with singers, community stakeholders, and other arts organizations. It is understood that the Artistic Director is likely to hold multiple appointments simultaneously. We expect that they will work with ensemble leaders and the Board to ensure that any scheduling issues or other conflicts of interest are addressed and resolved without a negative impact to the ensemble.

Detailed Responsibilities:

The Artistic Director is appointed by and reports to the SDS Board of Directors and works in partnership with the SDS Executive Committee to perform the following tasks.

Artistic:

  • Provide artistic direction, vision, and motivational leadership to the chorus
  • Maintain and advance SDS’s standards of choral excellence, building vocal skills, musicianship, and team spirit in a diverse group of volunteer singers
  • Recruit and audition new members for the chorus, striving to welcome musically qualified members of all adult ages and diverse backgrounds
  • Work with the Board of Directors to establish and uphold attendance requirements and audition policies
  • Select repertoire that reflects the full breadth of choral literature, as well as broadens SDS’s programming through commissions and the performance of new works
  • Engage accompanists, assistant conductors, and concert soloists as warranted, working proactively with the Executive Committee to secure these services
  • Create opportunities for special performances, recordings, and activities; cultivate collaborations and artistic partnerships with other community organizations
  • Lead rehearsals on Thursday evenings 7:00-9:30 pm from September through June, and conduct concerts in January and June as part of the regular season (currently/historically rehearsals are on Thursday night but there is some flexibility in scheduling)

Management:

  • Work closely with SDS’s Board of Directors to develop and achieve organizational goals
  • Collaborate with the Executive Committee to prepare timely season plans; propose concert dates and artistic budgets to be presented to the Board of Directors; and to provide artistic updates at all SDS Board meetings
  • Work proactively with the Executive Committee on all rehearsal and performance logistical, artistic, and operational needs

Advocacy and Audience Engagement:

  • Serve as an advocate for SDS in order to build its presence in the local and regional arts communities
  • Play an active role in designing audience development and engagement activities
  • Assist SDS’s Board in the long-term cultivation of donors and, as appropriate, in the preparation and presentation of grant applications
  • Work with the Executive Committee to promote SDS activities in the community

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will be an exceptional musician with outstanding conducting, teaching, vocal pedagogy skills, a command of foreign languages, and a thorough working knowledge of choral literature. An advanced degree in choral conducting and/or experience conducting at the university or similar community-based level is highly desirable. The successful candidate will have strong public speaking/presenting skills.

Compensation and Benefits:

The part-time position is paid on contract. The annual compensation is $10,000, with a potential for growth based on the organization’s fundraising performance. Workload varies from week to week, but averages about 7 hours per week including rehearsal time.

The Six Degree Singers are an equal-opportunity employer, committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Underrepresented candidates are encouraged to apply. SDS does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or age.

Application Procedure:

Please submit the following materials to auditions@singsix.com no later than Wednesday, November 15, 2023 for full consideration. Please be sure to include your full name in the subject line of the email.

  • Your résumé (with most current contact information)
  • A cover letter describing your qualifications for the position as well as a brief statement of your programming philosophy
  • Names and contact information for three references
  • 2-3 sample concert programs (either completed or proposed)
  • One video of a working choral rehearsal filmed with a frontal view of the conductor, demonstrating your vocal pedagogy and rehearsal technique. You may also submit a second video with performance footage.
  • Attach URL links (YouTube/Vimeo/Vevo/shareable mp4) with a duration of 10-15 minutes per video. If the video is longer than 15 minutes, please indicate the start and stop timing window designated for review.

Selected candidates will be scheduled to have a first-round virtual interview with the Search Committee in December 2023. Finalists will be invited for an in-person audition with the chorus in February 2024.

The Search Committee hopes to have the process completed by March 2024.