Description

Job Description: Artistic Director - The Olympia Peace Choir

The Peace Choir is a 16-year-old community choir that is well known and loved in the community. Our founding director is stepping down and we are seeking a new artistic director. This is an opportunity to build on the foundation we have developed of using music for peace, social justice, and environmental stewardship.

We look forward to growing with you as we enter the next chapter of our vibrant and evolving organization.

Position: Part-Time Artistic Director  

Location: Olympia, Washington  

Schedule: Monday evening rehearsals 7pm-9pm plus preparation time, Season runs early September through late May and currently includes 2-3 concerts and 1-2 retreats each year.

Organization: Olympia Peace Choir (non-profit, non-auditioned community choir)  

Compensation: $20,000-$25,000 depending on experience and qualifications

The Olympia Peace Choir Mission Statement:

The Olympia Peace Choir is an inclusive intergenerational community chorus dedicated to using the power of song to create peace, social justice, and environmental stewardship.

Organizational Summary: The Olympia Peace Choir is a non-auditioned non-profit organization led by an elected board of choir members in collaboration with the Artistic Director and ad hoc committees. The Olympia Peace Choir practices quality through inclusion and serves the community through performances and workshops.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

1. Community, Joy, and Culture

- Foster Inclusivity: Embrace all musical levels, ensuring a welcoming environment for singers of all backgrounds and experiences.

- Build Trust: Promote a culture of trust and belonging among choir members, valuing each individual's contribution to the group.

- Co-create Community: Engage in activities that enhance camaraderie, collaboration, and mutual respect among members.

2. Mission

- Music Selection: Curate and select secular music from a range of genres, cultural traditions and languages that aligns with the choir's mission

-Be aware of the opportunities and challenges of performing music from non-western cultures; teach and communicate awareness and respect for cultural differences.

- Engagement: Engage with the cultural context and meaning behind pieces, encouraging members to connect with the music on a deeper level.

- Lifelong Learning: Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and adaptability in music selection and performance.  

3. Pedagogy

- Teaching Techniques: Use a variety of teaching methods and support diverse learning styles.

- Scaffolding: Employ a variety of strategies to help choir members successfully learn challenging music. 

- Contextual Learning: Offer background information on genres, lyrics, and cultural significance, fostering a holistic understanding of the music.

- Mindset: Provide constructive, supportive feedback to choir members, meeting them at their skill level while encouraging growth.

4. Structure

- Role Clarity: Work within the defined scope of the artistic director role, collaborating effectively with the choir’s board and members.

- Accompanist Selection: Select and collaborate with accompanists for rehearsals and performances.

- Calendar Planning: Collaborate with the board to plan the annual calendar of activities, including performances, retreats, and rehearsal schedules.

- Retreats: collaborate with the TOPC board to create meaningful opportunities outside of rehearsal for choir members to build community while developing their musical skills.

5. Performances

- Preparation: Prepare the choir for a designated number of performances each season.

- Program Development: Create performance programs that reflect the choir's mission. 

- Evaluation and Support: Assess the choir's readiness for performance, identifying areas needing additional support or practice.

- Venue Collaboration: Work with the board to select appropriate venues for performances.

___________

Qualifications: Required

- Musical Background: Previous education, training, and/or experience in choral conducting and a strong understanding of vocal techniques.

-Experience in a community-based chorus setting with singers with diverse musical skills and experience.

- Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead and inspire diverse groups, fostering a positive and inclusive environment.

-Flexibility in working with a diverse group of volunteers and personalities.

- Communication skills: strong communication skills, including verbal, written, and computer-based media. 

- Commitment to Mission: Commitment to the choir’s mission of promoting peace, social justice, and environmental stewardship through music.

QUALIFICATIONS: Preferred

- Skilled at teaching a variety of musical genres and cultural traditions.

-Experience in collaboration and engagement with cross-cultural groups and community choruses.

-Ability to encourage and develop section leaders.

-Basic keyboard skills for teaching parts and warm-ups.

-Familarity with musical software.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a resume, a cover letter outlining their vision for the role, 2 letters of recommendation, and any relevant materials demonstrating their experience with community music programs. Provide a link to an online conducting video including 10-15 minutes of performance and/or rehearsal, preferably with a front-facing view of the conductor.

Jan 20th, 2026 is the priority deadline for submitting applications but we will consider later applications until the position is filled. Please submit applications to olympiapeacechoirhiring@gmail.com.

Join us in making a meaningful impact through the power of song! If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!