Do you know a talented musician capable of directing our community chorale? Are you such a person? We would love to hear from you.

Download Music Director Job Description here

Position Summary

Reporting to the SYVC board of directors, the Music Director will serve as the principal conductor for the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale’s rehearsals and performances, enabling chorale members to learn and perform a combination repertoire ranging from classical to modern choral music. 

This is a contract position, with an annual salary based on twenty five percent of a full time position.

Salary Range 

$1,500 – $1,900 per month based on qualifications. 

Roles & Responsibilities

Artistic Leadership 

Promote a vision for the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale that inspires chorale members, board, volunteers, and audiences; welcomes new musical ideas; invites new audiences; and advances the chorale’s commitment to bring the gift of choral music to our community. 

• Serve as the principal conductor of the SYVC’s rehearsals and performances.
• Develop program repertoires for two seasonal performances (typically in December and May) that:
  • take into consideration budget, ensemble size, members’ vocal abilities, availability of scores, instrumentalists, soloists, and venues. 
  • utilize works from the Chorale’s extensive library of choral scores, 
  • incorporate innovative new works and arrangements that represent diverse artistic voices,  
• Determine the order of musical numbers for performances. Arrange musical scores for the chorale and/or orchestra, or secure arrangements as necessary.
• Appreciate and understand the human voice as a unique instrument, demonstrate a commitment to support and nurture singers in their artistic growth.
• Embrace diversity and inclusion as a critical element of community engagement, including singer recruitment, audience development, board engagement, and program expansion.

Performance Preparation

Prepare singers, accompanists, and instrumentalists for choral performances.

• Lead weekly two-hour rehearsals (currently 7:00-9:00 pm Monday evenings – subject to change) during performance seasons. Seasons are typically late August through mid December, and mid January through the end of May.
• Recruit and engage a rehearsal accompanist within established budget constraints. 
• Provide musical leadership for the chorale by incorporating appropriate vocal pedagogy.
• Provide necessary guidance and direction during rehearsals to help chorale members attain the correct tone, rhythm, diction, pitch, tempo, and harmony.
• Assist in recruitment and retention of singers. Approve new members in consultation with section leaders. 
• Identify members’ collective and individual needs in terms of musical development, and coach improvement through appropriate avenues such as additional part rehearsals or referral to a vocal coach. 
• Ensure SYVC members enjoy a welcoming, respectful, and artistically challenging musical experience. 
• Schedule and lead additional rehearsals as needed prior to performance dates to achieve nuanced, artistic performances.
• Within an established budget, engage professional musicians as needed for rehearsals and performances—such as selecting paid vocalists (a.k.a. “ringers”), soloists, instrumentalists, arrangers, and orchestrators to support the SYVC’s performances.
• Conduct all necessary preparatory rehearsals with instrumentalists (both separate and combined with chorale members).
• Lead rehearsals for, and conduct Chorale members’ performances in, Solvang’s annual Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day performances with an established repertoire of patriotic standards.
• Prepare chorale members for no less than 1 and no more than 5 additional small ensemble performances as requested by the Santa Ynez Valley community each year. These may include singing at winter holiday celebrations, local elder care residences, or small performances at community celebrations such as “Day in the Country” in Los Olivos.

Administrative Leadership

Lead the SYVC with a commitment to collaboration, clear communication, planning transparency, and fiscal accountability.

• Serve as a voting member of the SYVC board of directors
• Attend monthly board meetings (remotely or in person). Maintain open communication, actively contribute to all concerns, play an active role in promoting the Chorale, and advise in fundraising. 
• Participate in the creation of the annual operating budget and expense forecasting with the SYVC Board of Directors.
• Participate in scheduling rehearsal start dates for each season (rehearsals typically begin mid-August and mid-January), and seasonal performances (typically held on a Saturday and Sunday in December and May).
• In collaboration with the board, develop creative and long range musical goals, objectives and associated action steps, keeping in mind the importance of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.
• Enhance and cultivate partnerships within the community that increase awareness of and appreciation for the art of choral music and drive acquisition of new audience members.
• Provide additional services as agreed with Chorale’s board of directors or appropriate officers.

Qualification Summary

The ideal candidate will have passion for choral music and be able to articulate a vision that advances music’s power to connect people and positively impact the community. Successful candidates will possess exceptional communication skills, patience, and a sense of humor. Evidence of demonstrable and specific action taken in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and access is preferred. Academic achievement is desirable but the SYVC values ability over education. The SYVCs ideal candidate will be a full-time resident of Santa Barbara County.

Essential Qualifications

• Proven success in musical leadership, 
• Demonstrated capacity to emphasize vocal technique and conduct excellent choral performances, 
• Experience teaching and conducting adult choral ensembles,
• Solid understanding of choral and vocal pedagogy,
• Thorough comprehension of musical genres from the traditional western canon, world music, and contemporary choral music,
• Demonstrated ability to teach and inspire singers from diverse backgrounds with varying musical skill,
• Proven track record successfully planning and setting short and long range goals to meet  organizational objectives: managing time, tasks, and resources of self and others, and balancing potentially conflicting priorities (tasks, musical goals, other life commitments).

Desired Qualifications

• Experience conducting a choir with orchestra or instrumental ensembles
• Experience arranging/composing sheet music for orchestra accompaniment
• Advanced studies in choral conducting: Masters in Choral Conducting, Doctor of Music Arts, or equivalent professional experience

Applications and Inquiries

To apply, please email a cover letter and CV or resume (CV preferred) with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments,  pieces conducted, and (if available) links to video or audio of yourself conducting rehearsals and/or performances to Info@SYVChorale.org

or mail to SYV Chorale, P.O. Box 1902, Santa Ynez, CA 93460. (Electronic submissions preferred.)

Applicants who appear to best serve the needs of the SVYC will be invited to interview and asked to provide three references. Final candidates will be invited to demonstrate rehearsal skills with a group of Chorale members. 

Additional questions may be directed to SYVC board president Richard Lane at ‭(805) 570-0923