Sirens of Gotham is seeking an Artistic Director. The person in this position will be responsible for developing and leading the musical and artistic performance of Sirens of Gotham in collaboration with our existing leadership, in a way that is consistent with our mission and core values of joy, ambition, and authenticity.

This is a paid, part-time position with possible reimbursement for travel.

Application Deadline: December 15th, 2022

Targeted Start Date: February 2023

After application review, we will proceed to interviews. Select candidates will be asked to lead a portion of a chorus rehearsal in a directorial capacity so members of the chorus and the interview committee may gauge fit within our chorus culture.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Artistic Director’s musical knowledge and directorial skills greatly influence the growth and the quality of the Sirens of Gotham musical program. Responsibilities include:

  • Developing a yearly musical vision with goals for the chorus in consultation with the Music Team and Board 

  • Selecting repertoire, in collaboration with the Music Team, that is in line with the Sirens’ mission and core values

  • Planning and executing weekly chorus rehearsals, based on a four-month calendar developed with the Music Team

  • Managing the repertoire learning process and developing interp plans for new and existing repertoire

  • Selecting and training all Artistic Team members, and defining their leadership roles

  • Developing a direction plan for all public performances of Sirens of Gotham, incorporating both Under Their Own Direction and conducting as necessary

  • Establishing and attending all Music Team meetings and relevant Board meetings

  • Collaborating with the Music Team on audition protocols, including material and rubric, and overseeing the process

  • Evaluating and working with individual voices in the chorus annually, along with the Music Team, through PVIs (Personal Voice Instruction) and additional private help when needed

  • Seeking to further their skills as a director through appropriate learning opportunities

  • Utilizing the talents and skills of all members of Sirens of Gotham to continuously bring the chorus to new levels 


QUALIFICATIONS:

The Artistic Director should be a creative and musically skilled leader who is well-organized, dependable, and possesses the strength of skills to advance Sirens of Gotham to the next level. An ideal candidate has:

  • Prior choral directing experience or similar educational study

  • Experience with barbershop art form, either in a quartet or with a chorus, is preferred but not required

  • Strong understanding of vocal pedagogy and ability to demonstrate effectively to a large group

  • A detail-oriented mindset and is able to communicate complicated artistic concepts effectively and consistently

  • Strong desire to advance the chorus competitively within Sweet Adelines International, the Barbershop Harmony Society, and the a cappella community at large

  • A desire to help the chorus to reach our fullest potential, in exceptional performance, ambitious competition, and visibility in our community

  • The ability and passion to foster and develop a talented and effective Music Team

  • Poise and ease in speaking to best represent the core values of our organization


REQUESTED MATERIALS:

Please review the following job description and qualifications and email the requested materials to sirensdirectorsearch2022@gmail.com to be considered for the position:

  • Cover Letter and Resume

  • Completed questionnaire (see below)

  • Video example of directing or coaching experience (preferred) or a representative performance

    • Need not exceed 5 minutes

    • Videos accepted via YouTube link, file attachment, or any file-sharing service (DropBox, Google Drive, WeTransfer, etc.)

  • Two references from previous musical experiences that the search committee may contact

  • Optional: Any other relevant or supporting materials, e.g.

    • Published article or musical writings

    • Letter(s) of recommendation


APPLICANT QUESTIONNAIRE:

  1. What about Sirens of Gotham drew you to apply for this position? 

  2. Based on prior experience, what is your philosophy on a Director's relationship with their chorus, and with the chorus leadership?

  3. What are your expectations for chorus members in regards to time spent and work done outside of rehearsals?

  4. How do you feel about the use of a coach? What would be your ideal coaching strategy? Who would be your ideal coach?

  5. How would you define a 'quality' singer in our organization?

  6. Based on your answer to #5, what are your feelings concerning quality vs quantity of singers?

  7. What would be your criteria for the selection of chorus repertoire (e.g., what style(s), level(s) of difficulty, etc.)?

  8. Describe your ‘ideal’ 2.5-hour Sirens of Gotham rehearsal. 

  9. Describe your relationship to the barbershop art form and its approach to vocal technique.

  10. How do you feel competitions and performances contribute to the overall identity of the chorus?

  11. If you wanted Sirens of Gotham to know one thing that would make your application stand out, what would it be?

  12. What is one thing you would bring to Sirens of Gotham to help us reach our fullest potential? What is one thing you would never change about Sirens of Gotham? 


ABOUT SIRENS OF GOTHAM:
Sirens of Gotham is an a cappella chorus that specializes in barbershop harmony. Our membership is open to singers of all marginalized genders who are comfortable singing somewhere in the SSAA range. This may include cis women, trans people of all gender identities, non-binary people, and gender fluid people. It is our mission to build an encouraging, inclusive environment for singers to pursue the highest levels of artistry and musical excellence in a cappella singing; to master the art of barbershop harmony; and to cultivate meaningful artistic experiences that enrich the lives of our members, our audiences, and the local community. 

We aim to constantly educate, innovate, and raise the bar for a cappella as an active chapter of the barbershop music organization Sweet Adelines International and a dual chapter with the Barbershop Harmony Society. In October 2018, we made our international competition debut at the SAI Harmony Classic barbershop chorus competition in St. Louis, MO, where we won 1st place Division A and 1st place overall! We have also appeared on multiple televised broadcasts and even starred in a television show. We took home 3rd place in the 2015 New York Harmony Sweepstakes and continue to pursue other local singing competitions and performance opportunities. 

In 2020, Sirens joined the Hell’s Kitchen chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society alongside our companion chorus, Voices of Gotham. Competing together as GOTHAM mixed chorus, Sirens and Voices took the stage at the 2022 BHS International Competition and placed 8th in the world. 

Our next director will help us get ready to take on the international stage at the 2023 Sweet Adelines International Championship in Louisville, KY.