Conductor

Uniting Voices Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Tax-deferred retirement plan

Job summary

Uniting Voices Chicago seeks a dedicated conductor to lead youth choirs and deliver a high-quality learning and performance experience for ages 6 to 18. The role blends teaching, planning, and community engagement across multiple sites, with opportunities to grow through partnerships and equity-focused programming.

As a core member of the Uniting Voices team, you will curate diverse repertoires, collaborate on planning, and support concerts and events that elevate young singers while advancing

Qualifications

• Strong choral music educator and conductor capable of teaching diverse music.
• Dedication to anti-racism and equity.
• Passion for working with diverse youth ages 6-18 and families.
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in music.
• Commitment to collaboration in a team of fellow music educators and with partners.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate student learning in assigned choirs, incorporating the curriculum set forth by Uniting Voices faculty.
• Teach choral music through a lens of cultural responsiveness and authenticity, maintaining equity.
• Seek and facilitate mission-aligned community-based performance opportunities.
• Lead all rehearsals and performances for designated ensembles.
• Maintain rigorous learning and performance standards.
• Administer singer assessments twice yearly and use data to inform practice.

Skills

Choral music educator

Cultural responsiveness

Anti-racism commitment

Youth engagement

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in music

Job description

Position Description:

Uniting Voices Chicago employs music educators to provide choral-based programming in partnership with nearly 90 schools and 12 community-based programs across the city serving children and youth from 3rd grade through high school with weekly or biweekly rehearsals throughout the school year. All programs perform independently 2-3 times per year in addition to joint concerts connecting Uniting Voices Chicago singers in performance. Additionally, 1st and 2nd grade children may participate in an 8-week exploratory music program called Prelude at a few sites around the city.

The Uniting Voices team of conductors works with each other and outside clinicians/culture bearers to create a diverse set of repertoires to ensure a curriculum rich in historical context and presented with cultural integrity, appropriate to the authentic style of each piece. Conductors lead their assigned groups in addition to supporting the artistic vision of the organization through participation in planning committees and regular conductor team connections.

The Conductor provides a high-quality learning and performance experience for youth ages 6 to 18. As a faculty member with Uniting Voices, the Conductor will create meaningful opportunities for young people to express themselves, learn music authentically from an array of genres and cultures, develop their musical and performance skills, and build emotional intelligence. The Conductor will elevate the artistry of their ensembles and encourage deep exploration of the historical and social context of music and its relevance today. In addition, they will thoughtfully engage their community and build participation and retention in their programs.

This role includes approximately 50% teaching hours; 40% planning, preparation, and community engagement; and 10% travel time. Full-time teaching hours cover up to 16 different school or community sites where programming takes place.

Key Responsibilities

Musical and Educational

• Facilitate student learning in assigned choirs, incorporating the curriculum set forth by Uniting Voices faculty in addition to self-selected repertoire.
• Teach choral music through a lens of cultural responsiveness and authenticity, maintaining a dedication to equity and anti-racism.
• Seek and facilitate mission‑aligned and community-based performance opportunities for singers.
• Lead all rehearsals and performances for designated ensembles.
• Maintain rigorous learning and performance standards.
• Administer singer assessments twice yearly and use associated data to inform instructional practice.

Community Engagement, Communication, and Relationship Building

• Communicate regularly with school and community partners to ensure the best possible experiences for all stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively with families to foster deep and meaningful relationships with Uniting Voices.
• Recruit singers for participation in programs, maintaining an ensemble size that allows for a successful experience
• Educate families on opportunities for growth within the choir and assist with promotion into more advanced ensembles when appropriate.

Organizational Support and Administrative

• Actively participate in meetings, professional development workshops, and staff training as scheduled.
• In collaboration with the Senior Program Director, support the Neighborhood Choir Program Assistant in delivering the best experience possible
• Attend and assist with organizational concerts and events.

Qualifications

• Strong choral music educator and conductor capable of teaching diverse music through culturally responsive methodologies.
• Dedication to anti‑racism and equity.
• Passion for working with diverse youth ages 6‑18 and for fostering deep and authentic relationships with their families and communities.
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in music.
• Commitment to collaboration in a team of fellow music educators, as part of a larger organizational staff and with families and community partners in a mission‑driven environment.

Competitive salary with benefits for full‑time employees including paid time off, medical, dental and life insurance and tax‑deferred retirement plan.

“OTR” Life Experience

We know that many of your most character‑building experiences- where resilience, grit, and grace were required to persevere- do not show up neatly on a resume. So, we want to hear some of those “OTR” (“off the resume”) moments for you. In order to be on the Uniting Voices team, EQ (Emotional Intelligence) is not a nice‑to‑have; it’s a must. So, show us your EQ.

What it’s Like to Work at Uniting Voices

Sincerely, we’re a family. We get it done while having fun. We’re all working toward a colorful, peaceful, and equitable future - and that feels good. We share a passion for music and the vast potential of young people.

In addition to work you can believe in, Uniting Voices offers the following perks:

• Collaboration with a team of professional music educators offering diverse expertise and backgrounds.
• Support of marketing, development, and production teams, allowing conductors to focus on their artistic vision and education.
• Schedule flexibility outside of assigned programs for administrative and planning time.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should send a resume and cover letter to [e-mail], with the job title in the subject line.

Uniting Voices is an equal‑opportunity employer that actively pursues candidates of diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to providing diversity, equity, and inclusion training to all employees, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, nationality or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy status, marital status, age, medical condition, disability, or veteran status in admission or access to, or employment in, its programs and activities.