Choir Manager

Cantigas Women's Choir; New York (NY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

Cantigas Women's Choir in Hudson County, NJ is seeking a Part-time Choir Manager. This independent contractor role coordinates volunteers, manages music distribution, venues, and front-of-house, enabling the Artistic Director to focus on music.

The position requires Thursday evening rehearsals, occasional travel, and growing responsibility in development work over time.

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating volunteers for rehearsals and events.
• Strong communication with members and staff.
• Ability to manage music distribution and records.
• Experience in nonprofit development or arts administration.
• Willingness to grow into grant support and fundraising tasks.
• Own laptop; reliable transportation for local errands.
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs and handle setup tasks.
• Authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship now or in future.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate volunteers to set up and break down the rehearsal space.
• Serve as the primary contact for members' practical questions at rehearsals.
• Distribute scores to singers and track distribution of music pieces.
• Manage the choir's PO box and storage locker.
• Assemble music packets based on the Artistic Director's list.
• Distribute and track scores throughout the season; maintain records.
• Liaise with performance venues (churches in Hudson County).
• Coordinate run-out performances and logistics for tours/events.
• Support development and grant activities as needed.
• Provide board updates and flag logistics or budget issues.

Skills

Volunteer coordination

Event logistics

Communication

Nonprofit development

Grant support

Arts administration

Laptop required

Driver's license / own car

Lift up to 25 lbs

Job description

Part-time Independent Contractor | Hudson County, NJ

About Cantigas

Cantigas Women's Choir is a community women's choir based in Hudson County, NJ. Founded in 2002, we perform two main-stage concerts each season alongside outreach performances and community events. Our programming draws on global and underrepresented musical traditions, and we are committed to making choral music a visible, active part of the Hudson County arts community.

About the Role

This is a newly created, part-time contract position and the operational heart of Cantigas. The Choir Manager ensures that rehearsals run smoothly, music is distributed and tracked, venues are coordinated, and volunteers are organized, so that the Artistic Director can walk in and focus entirely on making music. At rehearsal, the Manager acts as the first point of contact for members' practical questions, serving as a calm and welcoming presence that keeps the room moving. Over time, the role may grow to include meaningful contributions to grant support and development work.

What You'll Do

• Coordinate volunteers to set up and break down the rehearsal space.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for members' practical questions at the start of each rehearsal, so the Artistic Director can begin the music without interruption.
• Distribute scores to singers; maintain a checklist tracking who has received each piece of music and follow up on any outstanding copies.
• Manage the choir's PO box and storage locker.

Music and Library Management

• Assembly music packets based on the Artistic Director's list.
• Distribute and track scores throughout the season; maintain clear records of all music issued.
• Manage the choir's music library.

Concerts and Performances

• Serve as the primary liaison with performance venues (primarily churches in the Hudson County area).
• Coordinate volunteers to set up and break down the concert space for dress rehearsals and performances; arrange choir stands, chairs, and performance equipment.
• Manage front-of-house logistics: reserved seating, box office table, and event setup.
• Arrange the purchase and delivery of flowers for the fall and spring concerts.
• Coordinate performance logistics for instrumentalists alongside the Artistic Director (music stands, chairs, piano placement, etc.).

Outreach and Run-Out Concerts

• Execute logistics for run-out performances at community events: transport, venue coordination, and on-site setup.
• Support the Artistic Director on logistics for any tours or festival participation.
• Additional outreach or community performances beyond the two main-stage concerts may be added over the season (schedule TBC).

Membership and Volunteers

• Maintain attendance and roster spreadsheets.
• Recruit and coordinate volunteers for recurring needs (snacks, chair setup, and ushering), delegating rather than doing everything personally.

Development and Grant Support

• Partner with the Development Committee on Giving Tuesday and Hudson Gives campaigns, grant calendars, and donor communications.
• Contribute to grant applications by proofreading, sourcing new funding opportunities, and providing membership data analysis.

Board Reporting

• Reports to the Board President and is accountable to the Board of Directors; works closely and collaboratively with the Artistic Director (AD) and Assistant Artistic Director (AAD) on rehearsal and concert logistics, but does not report to the AD or AAD.
• Submit a written update to the Board President before each board meeting.
• Flag any logistics issues, venue matters, or budget items the board should know about.
• Other duties as assigned by the Board.

Who We're Looking For

You don't wait to be asked. When something needs doing, you do it, and when you can see something coming, you've already handled it. You understand that getting volunteers to do the physical tasks is itself part of the job.

At rehearsal, you're a warm, organized presence, the person members come to with “where's my music?” or “the door's locked,” so the room is calm before the first note is sung. You communicate proactively, exercise discretion with member and organizational information, and work independently without needing close supervision.

This role requires a boots‑on‑the‑ground commitment to Thursday evening rehearsals, pre‑concert rehearsals, and performances.

We're looking for someone excited to grow with this role. The person who starts by making our operations seamless is the same person we want contributing to grant strategy, donor stewardship, and development work as the role matures.

You'll Be a Strong Fit If You

• Take initiative and manage your time independently.
• Are thorough and organized, with strong follow-through and tidy record-keeping.
• Are warm and approachable, and comfortable being the first face members see at rehearsal.
• Move easily between hands‑on logistics and administrative or strategic work.
• Handle confidential information with professionalism.
• Have an interest in nonprofit development, grant support, or arts administration, or are keen to develop those skills.
• Bring your own laptop or device (required).
• Have reliable access to a car for local errands and transporting music and materials (ownership not required).
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs (music boxes, equipment, and supplies).
• Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer. U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.
• Experience in choral or performing arts organizations is a plus, but not required.

Compensation and Terms

• Approximately 20 hours per month on average, with additional hours expected during concert periods (December and May) and key fundraising campaigns. The choir, and therefore this manager role, is most active during the 10 month season from September through the end of May. There may be additional opportunities for hours June through August requiring action by the Choir Manager.
• Approximately 12 of those monthly hours are at Thursday evening rehearsals, 6:30- 9:15pm (September through May, with a winter break).
• Mileage is reimbursed at the current IRS standard mileage rate for choir-related travel beyond your regular rehearsal commute (errands, deliveries, venue visits, etc.).
• You will need to supply your own device; internet and hotspot arrangements will be discussed with the successful candidate.