Position Vacant: Musical Director
About the position
The Musical Director is responsible for collaborating with the choir committee to develop and realise an artistic vision for Coro Innominata as well as for programming, leading, conducting, rehearsing, teaching and inspiring the choir. This includes taking a weekly rehearsal and directing a number of performances each year. The ideal candidate will bring to the role an inspiring vision, enthusiasm, musicality and conducting skills. They will be able to improve the overall vocal skills of the choir’s members, and be committed to collaborating with a volunteer organisation and its committee.
This is a paid position.
Further details about the key responsibilities of the position, and the skills, attributes and experience we are seeking are included below.
Applications
We invite prospective Musical Directors to email their written applications to the Choir Secretary, secretary@innominata.org, by Wednesday 15 January 2025.
Applicants must demonstrate how they have the skills, attributes and experience to successfully fulfil the role of Musical Director through providing:
- a current curriculum vitae
- a vision statement for Coro Innominata (maximum 2 pages) explaining where they would like to take the choir during their tenure and how they meet the essential criteria for applicants
- a draft program for one concert to be performed by the choir in 2025, and an overview of programs for the rest of the year.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to take part in an audition / rehearsal with the choir. The audition will run for approximately one hour per candidate. We plan to hold the auditions in late January/early February 2025.
The successful applicant will be appointed for an initial probationary year starting from 2025 and then for two years, subject to a satisfactory formal review after the first year.
About Coro Innominata
Coro Innominata is a Sydney-based chamber choir pursuing excellent performance of great choral music. We rehearse weekly in St Benedict’s Catholic Church on Broadway.
We celebrated our 30th anniversary in 2023, having been formed in the early 1990s by singers from various larger choirs who wanted to explore the a cappella and chamber choir repertoire. Our singers are mostly experienced choristers who have previously sung in both large and small ensembles.
The majority of our repertoire is a cappella, although we occasionally perform pieces accompanied by piano or small ensembles. We perform a significant amount of sacred music from previous centuries that reflect the varied traditions of western choral writing, but in the last 10 years our repertoire has expanded to include new compositions and many 20th and 21st-century works, sometimes including works by our musical directors and other contemporary Australian composers. Coro Innominata also fosters new compositions through our Women Composers’ Development Program. A full set of the choir’s past programs can be found on our website, together with a small selection of our live concert recordings.
The choir typically performs three concerts each year across a range of Sydney venues, reflecting the breadth of our repertoire. In recent years, we have regularly performed at the Mosman Art Gallery, as well as at town halls and churches in the inner west and eastern suburbs of Sydney. We sing high mass bi-annually with the parish choir of St Benedict’s, and perform carols for various promoters including the City of Sydney in December.
Responsibilities
The Musical Director has the following responsibilities:
Repertoire and concerts
- Select and collaborate with the committee to determine repertoire for three concerts annually, taking choir core repertoire, chorister proficiency, and the choir’s budget into account.
- Work with the committee at the beginning of each calendar year to set concert dates, rehearsal times and general program outlines, to support chorister scheduling and advertising.
- Select and assign instrumentalists and soloists for performances in a timely manner, and at least one week before first instrumental rehearsal.
- Conduct all major concert performances (usually three concerts per year).
- Prepare program notes and relevant artist biographies no less than four weeks before each concert, to allow for publication deadlines.
- Work with the committee to commission new music for Coro Innominata to perform, which may involve supporting or mentoring emerging choral composers.
- Prepare and/or conduct the choir for other non-concert performances if required. Typically, the choir sings mass in St Benedict’s Church in July and November; these masses and separate rehearsals are conducted by the Church’s choral director. Other non-concert performances may include weddings, seasonal Christmas engagements or other events. In consultation with the committee a suitable substitute conductor may be organised.
Choir rehearsals and auditions
- Rehearse the choir weekly at times, dates and locations nominated by the committee plus any additional rehearsals required by the program. Rehearsals currently occur on Tuesdays from 7:15pm to 9:45pm between February and November at St Benedict’s Church, Broadway, but locations, dates and times may change.
- Prepare and conduct the choir for other performances, or, in consultation with the committee, organise a suitable substitute conductor.
- Audition and select new choir members and casual and temporary choristers as the repertoire requires.
- Coordinate full choir auditions every two years, or as agreed with the committee.
Administration and conduct
- Coordinate with the committee to ensure scores are obtained in a timely way for the choir, conductor and any other musicians.
- Attend committee meetings as required to report on and collaborate with the choir’s committee about artistic plans and logistical matters.
- Communicate and cooperate with the choir’s committee on all choir administrative matters in a responsive, timely and respectful manner.
- Participate in fundraising efforts, media and other public relations activities as appropriate.
- Prepare a report on the choir’s activities for the past financial year for presentation at the choir’s AGM.
To deliver these responsibilities, the Musical Director should have the following skills, attributes and experience
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
Communication and leadership
- Able to effectively communicate a vision for both the choir and its repertoire, and work collaboratively to achieve it.
- Seeks and accepts feedback to enhance performances.
Program development
- Able to develop creative programs that ensure a diverse and engaging selection of repertoire, sharing the choir’s commitment to contemporary and traditional works, and to supporting women composers.
Musical expertise and training
- Musically proficient in leading an experienced but amateur choral ensemble with expertise in coaching vocal skills and musicality across an ensemble.
Organisational skills
- Able to develop a comprehensive annual program in advance, and to ensure efficient time management and choir engagement during rehearsals to ensure its effective delivery.
Personal attributes
- Calm under pressure, maintaining a relaxed demeanour and a sense of humour, especially before concerts.
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
Outreach and engagement
- Can facilitate collaboration with other ensembles, including outreach to other singers and audiences.
December 2024 concert
An opportunity exists to see Coro Innominata perform at our upcoming concert on Sunday 1st December, which will include the premieres of new works commissioned through our Women Composers’ Development Program.
Enquiries
Andrew Davies (Secretary) – 0411961718
Matt Price (Treasurer) – 0413046036
Email – coro@innominata.org