Choral Music Director – Theatre Ancaster Chorus

Choirs Ontario; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Theatre Ancaster Chorus is seeking a Choral Music Director for the 2025/2026 season. The ideal candidate will lead rehearsals, select diverse repertoire, and inspire the ensemble while ensuring engaging performances. This role requires strong leadership, communication skills, and a passion for choral music.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Chorus Director with effective leadership.
• Ability to conduct various music styles: pop, jazz, classical.
• Personable and enthusiastic, fostering a supportive environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide musical leadership for the chorus, planning and conducting rehearsals.
• Select a balanced repertoire for concerts, ensuring musical accessibility.
• Lead warm-ups and develop individual chorus members for solos.

Skills

Leadership

Creativity

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

Formal music education or training

Job description

About the Theatre Ancaster Chorus
Founded in the fall of 2013, the Theatre Ancaster Chorus is a dynamic adult SATB theatre chorus featuring approximately 50 dedicated singers. The group rehearses Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 9:00 pm at the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, preparing for two major concert productions annually—each with two performances, held in December and May.

The Chorus collaborates closely with its Director and a skilled piano accompanist throughout rehearsals, culminating in vibrant performances alongside a four-piece band. The ensemble typically includes piano, drums, guitar, and bass, with additional instrumentation tailored to the musical repertoire.

Position Overview
The Theatre Ancaster Chorus seeks a passionate and skilled Choral Music Director to lead and conduct our ensemble in rehearsals and performances. The ideal candidate will bring musical expertise, creativity, and enthusiasm, inspiring and nurturing our singers while crafting engaging, well-prepared concert experiences that captivate both performers and audiences.

Our 2025/2026 Season

Rehearsals:
Wednesdays, 6:45 pm – 9:00 pm
September 3, 2025 – December 3, 2025
January 7, 2026 – April 29, 2026

Dress and Tech Rehearsals:
December 10, 13
May 6, 9

Performance Dates:
December 13, 14, 2025
May 9, 10, 2026

Key Qualifications:
● Formal music education or training (preferred)
● Proven experience as a Chorus Director, demonstrating effective leadership and artistic vision.
● Ability to interpret and conduct various styles of music, including pop, jazz, classical, Broadway, and holiday selections.
● Personable, enthusiastic and engaging, creating a fun, supportive and inspiring rehearsal environment.
● Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, ensuring efficient and productive rehearsals and performances.
● Strong leadership, communication, and listening skills fostering a collaborative and engaging atmosphere.
● Collaborative and team-oriented, working effectively with the music librarian and the program coordinator.

Responsibilities:
● Provide musical leadership for the chorus while collaborating with the leadership team.
● Select a repertoire for each concert that balances musical challenge and accessibility.
● Plan and conduct rehearsals, sharing a structured rehearsal schedule in advance.
● Lead warm-ups before rehearsals and performances to prepare voices and build technique.
● Offer guidance on tone, rhythm, pitch, tempo, and harmony to elevate musical quality.
● Enhance chorus development, focusing on vocal skills and audience engagement.
● Infuse creativity and flair into musical selections beyond the written arrangements.
● Design chorus formations for rehearsals and performances, optimizing staging and presentation.
● Select individual chorus members for solo performances.
● Develop a dress code that aligns with the concert themes.
● Lead auditions to recruit and identify suitable chorus members.
● Inspire and direct the chorus through engaging rehearsals and performances.
● Work collaboratively to secure musicians for concert performances, ensuring a cohesive and high-quality musical experience.
● Work with the band, ensuring seamless integration during both rehearsals and live shows.

The Chorus is part of Theatre Ancaster, a not-for-profit charitable organization, offering a salary of $5,139 for both terms.

Deadline for application is Friday, June 27, 2025. Please submit by email to Theatre Ancaster’s Director of Programming, Sam Frisk, at [e-mail] .

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF file. In the cover letter, please describe why you believe you would be an excellent fit for our program and how you envision leading the Theatre Ancaster Chorus.

Selection Process
Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. Candidates who successfully complete the interview stage will be invited to lead a rehearsal with the chorus to assess their fit for the role.