Choral Director

Delaware Saengerbund; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 2,000 - 5,000; Part time

Job summary

The Delaware Saengerbund (DSB) invites applications for a choral director to lead an adult choir. The position includes conducting weekly rehearsals on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

and guiding a concert season with multiple events and performances throughout the year. Responsibilities extend to working with an experienced accompanist, contributing to the group Music Committee, and selecting repertoire from the DSB library.

Qualifications

• Experience directing adults in a choir or club setting.
• German language knowledge is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Direct weekly rehearsals on Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 p.m.
• Conduct performances and coordinate with the Music Committee.
• Collaborate with accompanist and manage repertoire from the DSB library.

Skills

Experience directing adults in choir/族

Job description

The Delaware Saengerbund (DSB), a German-American culture club, has an opening for choral director starting January 6, 2027.

Duties as choral director will be those normally associated with such a position and will include conducting regular choral rehearsals on Wednesday evenings starting at 7:00 p.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m. (one night per week). If needed or desired the start and finish times can be adjusted upon mutual agreement.

The singing season normally runs from the first Wednesday in September through the third Wednesday in May (9 months) of the following year unless extended further by agreement between the director and the DSB. Any additional rehearsals needed for a particular performance will be conducted at a time mutually agreeable to you and the chorus.

The schedule of performances is as follows:

• 1. “Oktoberfest” – a 30- to 40-minute performance on the main stage at the DSB's annual Oktoberfest. The chorus is accompanied by accordion(s) and performs traditional, German “sing-along” style music.
• 2. “'Erntedankfest” – a 1- to 1-1/2 hour church service usually on the first Sunday in October in which the chorus will sing several anthems and hymns. We may be accompanied by brass and/or handbells.
• 3. “von Steuben Day” – usually the second Sunday in October and held at the Valley Forge National Historical Park. We join with other local German choirs to sing 4 to 5 selections. Traditionally, the DSB provides the choral director and accompianist for this event. The United Singers of Philadelphia provides a separate payment for these services. The event includes dinner at the Vereinigung Erzgebirge in Warmister, PA after singin at Vallery Forge. A bus from the DSB is provided.
• 4. “Adventskonzert or Advent Concert” – a 1-hour holiday concert usually on the first Sunday in December in the afternoon.
• 5. “Tannenbaum Nacht” – a 15-to-20-minute concert on the second Saturday evening in December using primarily German music from the Advent Concert.
• 6. “Lieder abend (Evening of Song}” – a 10-minute program of 1 to 3 numbers at the United Singers of Philadelphia concert at the Cannstatter Volksfestverein in Philadelphia on the first Sunday evening in March. Two to five additional German choruses also participate in this event. The event closes with one to three numbers performed by a Mass Chorus of those participating. The DSB often provides the Director for the Mass Chorus. A bus from the DSB is provided.
• 7. “DSB Stiftungsfest” – a 20- to 30-minute concert at the DSB anniversary celebration on the Saturday evening closest in date to March 17.
• 8. “Starkbierfest” – two, 30- to 40-minute performances during the annual “strong beer festival” at the DSB. The chorus is accompanied by accordion(s) and performs traditional, German “sing-along” style music.
• 9. “Frühlingskonzert or Spring Concert” – a 1-hour concert typically on the second Saturday in May at the DSB.
• 10. \"Memorial Services\" - as requested the chorus will perform at DSB member funerals.
• 11. Scheduled dates are subject to change and arrangements for other performances can be made when mutually agreeable to you and the chorus.

The DSB Chorus is a social chorus and tryouts are not typically required. Having a new member sing with the piano to determine the appropriate part for the individual is common. The chorus has an experienced accompianist in place who is willing to work with the successful candidate.

The DSB has an existing music library and is willing to continue upgrading the library as needed and agreed upon.

You can view the Club website at delawaresaengerbund.org

Duties as choral director will be those normally associated with such a position and will include participation in the group Music Committee and conducting regular choral rehearsals on Wednesday evenings starting at 7:00 p.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m. (one night per week). If needed or desired the start and finish times for rehearsal can be adjusted upon mutual agreement.

German language skills are not required but knowledge of the German lanuguage or an interest in German culture is a plus.

We are looking for a director with experience directing adults in a Church, Community or Club atmosphere.