Employment opportunities
MGC currently has openings for dynamic individuals in the following positions:
Upper Division Choral Instructor
UPPER DIVISION DIRECTOR
Marin Girls Chorus seeks an accomplished Upper Division Director to lead this vibrant chorus of young female singers. The Upper Division Director may also be considered for leading our new program dedicated to middle school students and running in parallel to the main Upper Division Chorus. If this is also of interest, please refer to the separate job description for this role.
Marin Girls Chorus (MGC) is dedicated to providing excellence in music education to girls and young women in our community. Founded in 1988 by Martha Wall, MGC has grown into a dynamic group of over 120 girls in grades K-12. MGC has deep roots in the Kodály method of music education. Our mission statement is:
Marin Girls Chorus empowers girls to find and use their voices through exceptional music education and the joy of collaborative singing. By creating an inclusive and diverse environment, we provide a stage for our singers to build confidence, community, and a strong sense of self through practice, performance, and friendships that last a lifetime.
This search is being conducted by the MGC Board of Directors with support from the Director of Operations.
Candidates will be expected to have an established and critically acclaimed reputation for excellence in achievement with youth choruses; to be engaged and inspired by the creative process; and to have a demonstrated ability to build on the organization’s reputation for excellence in music education.
The Upper Division Director will report directly to the Director of Operations and Marin Girls Chorus Board of Directors. Engagement will begin in August 2020 with preparation for the 2020-2021 concert season.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Upper Division Director will be required to prepare Arioso, Bel Canto, and Chantons level choruses for a minimum of two full performance concerts per season and to conduct at all concerts and appearances. These levels consist of singers in grades 4-12. Free community concerts and public performances are scheduled throughout the season, which begins in September and ends the following June. The Upper Division Director leads the upper levels in participation in local choral festivals and in domestic or international choral tours each summer.
The duties of Upper Division Director include, but are not limited to:
Leading Classes/Rehearsals
Weekly during Fall and Spring semesters, Directors are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes before class begins, and stay at least 15 minutes after class for student pick-up. No child should ever be left unattended after rehearsal, and it is the responsibility of the instructor to stay until everyone is safely picked-up. A late pick-up policy will require parents to compensate the teacher for his/her time at the rate of $1 per minute, after the initial 15-minute grace period. Directors should feel comfortable handling up to 45 singers per class with the help of one accompanist. Directors are expected to bring an uplifting energy and attitude into the classroom, engage students throughout each session and ensure a positive and conducive learning environment at every class/ rehearsal.
MGC recognizes that the joy girls obtain from chorus is more than just singing and aims to create a community where girls can thrive musically, emotionally and developmentally. The Upper Division Director is expected to be an ambassador for the MGC Code of Community and to not only provide exceptional music education, but to nurture each singer. Singers should be encouraged to express themselves in a caring and inspirational environment. It is expected that the Upper Division Director brings a level of professionalism as well as joy and fun into each experience, class and rehearsal.
Events which have already been planned, and that the Director should expect to lead, are a Fall Retreat (September 2020) and Summer Tour (June 2021). Both these trips will be compensated at a flat rate to be agreed upon in writing by the Upper Division Director, Director of Operations, and Board of Directors. Fall retreat is an important time for the Upper Division Director to get to know the singers and it is expected that the director make every effort to participate and socialize with the singers during this time and any other arranged community building activities.
Repertoire Selection/Class Content
The Upper Division Director will be responsible for repertoire for each Upper Division level, in consultation with the Board and other artistic staff, unless repertoire is pre-determined by the hosting organization of a choral festival or tour. This repertoire must be submitted to and approved by the Board no later than the third week of the new semester. Class content/policies shall be reviewed and agreed upon by the Board and Upper Division Director. The Upper Division Director will be responsible for developing a teaching plan for music theory and selecting teaching materials. The Upper Division Director should be prepared to create class content that is challenging, level appropriate and inspirational to the singers. The Upper Division Director must prepare concert repertoire well in advance and it may not be changed within a month of a concert performance.
The Upper Division Director will participate in all performances and grouped rehearsals, including the Holiday concert, Love Song Sing-Along, and/or other MGC fundraising activities, Spring concert, all outreach performances, and any additional concerts involving Upper Division.
Work collaboratively with the Director of Operations
The Upper Division Director must work closely with the Director of Operations to ensure smooth program delivery. Weekly phone meetings should be held to review upcoming events. Any issues with singer behavior, material selection, or teaching needs should be communicated in a timely manner.
Class preparation/student evaluation
The Upper Division Director is expected to carry out all administrative duties related to class materials, including all photo-copying. Fees for photo-copying will be reimbursed from the bookkeeper or the Director of Operations, with appropriate receipt. The Upper Division Director shall provide evaluations/advice on student progress and advancement as needed. At a minimum, a written progress report must be given to each student at the end of each semester.
Monthly staff and board meeting
The Upper Division Director should attend, as needed, monthly staff and board meetings (not to exceed 2 hours). This schedule will be agreed upon by the Upper Division Director and Board of Directors.
Substitute policy
The Upper Division Director shall be responsible for arranging their own substitute teacher with an approved substitute who has passed a fingerprint and background check through MGC in collaboration with the Director of Operations.
COVID - 19
In recognition of the current circumstances, flexibility will be required by the Upper Division Director when leading the Upper Division of MGC. Whilst it is our intention to open for a full year as usual in September, we will need to be guided by social distancing requirements. We expect our staff to work with us and amend all programs accordingly, including possibly conducting classes online. Previous experience in developing and providing online choral classes would be of benefit.
JOB LOCATION, SALARY AND TIMING
• Position headquartered in Marin County, California, north of San Francisco
• Hourly rate commensurate with experience
• This 10 month, ~10-15 hour-per week position commences August 2020 with preparation for the 2020-2021 Season
APPLICATION DETAILS
Interested candidates meeting the above qualifications should apply by submitting the following materials:
• Letter of application
• Curriculum vitae/resume
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
Enquiries and submissions should be sent by email to info@marinchorus.org.
Marin Girls Chorus seeks an accomplished Upper Division Director to lead this vibrant chorus of young female singers. The Upper Division Director may also be considered for leading our new program dedicated to middle school students and running in parallel to the main Upper Division Chorus. If this is also of interest, please refer to the separate job description for this role.
Marin Girls Chorus (MGC) is dedicated to providing excellence in music education to girls and young women in our community. Founded in 1988 by Martha Wall, MGC has grown into a dynamic group of over 120 girls in grades K-12. MGC has deep roots in the Kodály method of music education. Our mission statement is:
Marin Girls Chorus empowers girls to find and use their voices through exceptional music education and the joy of collaborative singing. By creating an inclusive and diverse environment, we provide a stage for our singers to build confidence, community, and a strong sense of self through practice, performance, and friendships that last a lifetime.
This search is being conducted by the MGC Board of Directors with support from the Director of Operations.
Candidates will be expected to have an established and critically acclaimed reputation for excellence in achievement with youth choruses; to be engaged and inspired by the creative process; and to have a demonstrated ability to build on the organization’s reputation for excellence in music education.
The Upper Division Director will report directly to the Director of Operations and Marin Girls Chorus Board of Directors. Engagement will begin in August 2020 with preparation for the 2020-2021 concert season.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Upper Division Director will be required to prepare Arioso, Bel Canto, and Chantons level choruses for a minimum of two full performance concerts per season and to conduct at all concerts and appearances. These levels consist of singers in grades 4-12. Free community concerts and public performances are scheduled throughout the season, which begins in September and ends the following June. The Upper Division Director leads the upper levels in participation in local choral festivals and in domestic or international choral tours each summer.
The duties of Upper Division Director include, but are not limited to:
Leading Classes/Rehearsals
Weekly during Fall and Spring semesters, Directors are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes before class begins, and stay at least 15 minutes after class for student pick-up. No child should ever be left unattended after rehearsal, and it is the responsibility of the instructor to stay until everyone is safely picked-up. A late pick-up policy will require parents to compensate the teacher for his/her time at the rate of $1 per minute, after the initial 15-minute grace period. Directors should feel comfortable handling up to 45 singers per class with the help of one accompanist. Directors are expected to bring an uplifting energy and attitude into the classroom, engage students throughout each session and ensure a positive and conducive learning environment at every class/ rehearsal.
MGC recognizes that the joy girls obtain from chorus is more than just singing and aims to create a community where girls can thrive musically, emotionally and developmentally. The Upper Division Director is expected to be an ambassador for the MGC Code of Community and to not only provide exceptional music education, but to nurture each singer. Singers should be encouraged to express themselves in a caring and inspirational environment. It is expected that the Upper Division Director brings a level of professionalism as well as joy and fun into each experience, class and rehearsal.
Events which have already been planned, and that the Director should expect to lead, are a Fall Retreat (September 2020) and Summer Tour (June 2021). Both these trips will be compensated at a flat rate to be agreed upon in writing by the Upper Division Director, Director of Operations, and Board of Directors. Fall retreat is an important time for the Upper Division Director to get to know the singers and it is expected that the director make every effort to participate and socialize with the singers during this time and any other arranged community building activities.
Repertoire Selection/Class Content
The Upper Division Director will be responsible for repertoire for each Upper Division level, in consultation with the Board and other artistic staff, unless repertoire is pre-determined by the hosting organization of a choral festival or tour. This repertoire must be submitted to and approved by the Board no later than the third week of the new semester. Class content/policies shall be reviewed and agreed upon by the Board and Upper Division Director. The Upper Division Director will be responsible for developing a teaching plan for music theory and selecting teaching materials. The Upper Division Director should be prepared to create class content that is challenging, level appropriate and inspirational to the singers. The Upper Division Director must prepare concert repertoire well in advance and it may not be changed within a month of a concert performance.
The Upper Division Director will participate in all performances and grouped rehearsals, including the Holiday concert, Love Song Sing-Along, and/or other MGC fundraising activities, Spring concert, all outreach performances, and any additional concerts involving Upper Division.
Work collaboratively with the Director of Operations
The Upper Division Director must work closely with the Director of Operations to ensure smooth program delivery. Weekly phone meetings should be held to review upcoming events. Any issues with singer behavior, material selection, or teaching needs should be communicated in a timely manner.
Class preparation/student evaluation
The Upper Division Director is expected to carry out all administrative duties related to class materials, including all photo-copying. Fees for photo-copying will be reimbursed from the bookkeeper or the Director of Operations, with appropriate receipt. The Upper Division Director shall provide evaluations/advice on student progress and advancement as needed. At a minimum, a written progress report must be given to each student at the end of each semester.
Monthly staff and board meeting
The Upper Division Director should attend, as needed, monthly staff and board meetings (not to exceed 2 hours). This schedule will be agreed upon by the Upper Division Director and Board of Directors.
Substitute policy
The Upper Division Director shall be responsible for arranging their own substitute teacher with an approved substitute who has passed a fingerprint and background check through MGC in collaboration with the Director of Operations.
COVID - 19
In recognition of the current circumstances, flexibility will be required by the Upper Division Director when leading the Upper Division of MGC. Whilst it is our intention to open for a full year as usual in September, we will need to be guided by social distancing requirements. We expect our staff to work with us and amend all programs accordingly, including possibly conducting classes online. Previous experience in developing and providing online choral classes would be of benefit.
JOB LOCATION, SALARY AND TIMING
• Position headquartered in Marin County, California, north of San Francisco
• Hourly rate commensurate with experience
• This 10 month, ~10-15 hour-per week position commences August 2020 with preparation for the 2020-2021 Season
APPLICATION DETAILS
Interested candidates meeting the above qualifications should apply by submitting the following materials:
• Letter of application
• Curriculum vitae/resume
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
Enquiries and submissions should be sent by email to info@marinchorus.org.
Board Member
Marin Girls Chorus is actively seeking engaged, passionate people from our community to help us carry out our mission of providing exceptional music education to girls from all over Marin. Being a small organization, the board is by necessity involved in the day to day operations. Being a board member is far from being an honorary position; it offers a real opportunity to get involved in an area of interest. An interest in music or children’s activities is beneficial but not essential.
Our board meets once a month for two hours in Novato, usually on a Wednesday night. Once a year in the summer we have a daylong strategic planning meeting. Other than these meetings, we expect board members to make an effort to attend chorus events, including season concerts, outreach events, and fundraisers.
We do not have a minimum donation or fundraising amount for our board members; we ask that each board member make a donation in an amount that is significant to them and participate in fundraising efforts, including our annual appeal and an auction/dinner event.
We have particular interest in candidates with the following areas of experience:
The board consists of the following committees and prospective board members should consider which interest them:
Join us!
There is no formal process to join the board; it will be a process of mutual agreement. Email us today if you're interested.
Our board meets once a month for two hours in Novato, usually on a Wednesday night. Once a year in the summer we have a daylong strategic planning meeting. Other than these meetings, we expect board members to make an effort to attend chorus events, including season concerts, outreach events, and fundraisers.
We do not have a minimum donation or fundraising amount for our board members; we ask that each board member make a donation in an amount that is significant to them and participate in fundraising efforts, including our annual appeal and an auction/dinner event.
We have particular interest in candidates with the following areas of experience:
- Marketing - helping with the creation of a marketing plan to increase enrollment and promote our program, stretching a small budget as far as possible.
- Fundraising - formulating a plan to make up the shortfall between income derived from enrollment fees and operating costs. This would include fundraising through direct appeals and grant applications.
- Legal - providing general oversight to ensure that he board acts within the appropriate legal framework. This does not entail providing formal pro-bono legal services.
- Human resources - provide guidance around personnel and hiring procedures.
The board consists of the following committees and prospective board members should consider which interest them:
- Fundraising and grants
- Governance and policy
- Operations
- Finance
- Marketing
Join us!
There is no formal process to join the board; it will be a process of mutual agreement. Email us today if you're interested.
Substitute Accompanist
Marin Girls Chorus is always looking for accomplished accompanists to add to our list to help fill in during classes and at community events when our regular accompanists are not available. Let us know if you're interested.