Pioneer Valley Symphony Chorus Director

Chorus America; Greenfield (MA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 110,000; Part time

Job summary

The Pioneer Valley Symphony seeks an experienced Chorus Director to lead the PVS Chorus and Chamber Choir in partnership with the Orchestra and Youth Orchestra. The role emphasizes collaborative programming, recruitment, and community engagement.

The successful candidate will conduct rehearsals and performances, guide seasonal programming, and work with the administrative team and Board to expand audience reach while maintaining artistic excellence.

Qualifications

• Extensive conducting experience with both symphonic and chamber choral ensembles, and with instrumental ensembles.
• Familiarity with vocal technique.
• Advanced degree in choral conducting, or equivalent knowledge/experience.
• Extensive knowledge of choral and symphonic repertoire, with diverse and innovative programming.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, administrative, and communication skills.
• Experience with recruitment, outreach, and audience development.
• Experience working collaboratively within a nonprofit organization, with understanding of Board roles and volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the PVS Chorus and PVS Chamber Choir, in collaboration with the Chorus Committee, including recruiting and screening new singers.
• Conduct choral rehearsals and performances with weekly Tuesday evening rehearsals during the September–May concert season.
• Collaborate with the Music Director, Youth Orchestra Director, Programming Committee, and the Board to determine season programs.
• Organize the Chamber Choir’s annual performance schedule with the admin team and Board of Directors.
• Coordinate the annual Summer Sing series with the Music Director and Programming Committee.
• Attend monthly Board meetings and support public relations to gain sponsorships, grants, and audiences.

Skills

Conducting experience

Vocal technique

Leadership

Communication

Audience development

Nonprofit collaboration

Recruitment/outreach

Education

Advanced degree in choral conducting

Job description

Application Deadline: May 1, 2027

Artistic

CHORUS DIRECTOR

The Pioneer Valley Symphony (PVS) seeks an experienced, innovative, and collaborative Chorus Director to inspire and lead the PVS Chorus and Chamber Choir, both in collaboration with the PVS Orchestra and PVS Youth Orchestra and independently. Founded in 1939, the PVS seeks to build community through music by performing symphonic and choral music, by providing members of the community the opportunity to participate in making music, and by enhancing music education, particularly by introducing young people to live music. The PVS is an award-winning, nationally recognized, multi-faceted music organization in western Massachusetts. The PVS Chorus, established in 1961, has approximately 80 choristers and usually performs 2-3 concerts with the Orchestra each season plus an additional choral concert. The PVS Chamber Choir, established in 2014, is a 15-20 member ensemble auditioned from within the Chorus that performs a cappella choral repertoire in widely varied performance contexts throughout the region. The PVS Orchestra, with a membership of around 60, performs a yearly schedule of 5 subscription concerts plus an annual Educational Concert. The PVS Youth Orchestra, founded in 2013, provides an opportunity for young people to rehearse and perform classical music, usually performing 2 concerts a year and participating in the PVS Annual Holiday Pops Concert. In 2022, the Pioneer Valley Symphony was approached by Artspace Community Arts Center of Greenfield to take on stewardship of its music education programs including Strings for Kids, private lessons, and group music instruction. In keeping with our mission the PVS took on the management and development of these programs in complement to our existing educational programming. Please visit our website at www.pvsoc.org to learn more about our organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership for the PVS Chorus and PVS Chamber Choir, in collaboration with the Chorus Committee, including recruiting and screening new singers
• Conduct choral rehearsals and performances in a timely, efficient, and effective manner, with weekly Tuesday evening rehearsals during the September-May concert season
• Work in collaboration with the Music Director, the Youth Orchestra Director, the Programming Committee, and the Board of Directors to determine the program for each season
• Work in collaboration with the administrative team and the Board of Directors to organize the PVS Chamber Choir’s annual performance schedule
• Work in collaboration with the Music Director, the administrative team, and the Programming Committee to organize the annual Summer Sing series
• Attend monthly Board of Directors meetings and work with the Board in public relations functions to maximize recognition and appreciation of the organization towards gaining sponsorships, grants, and new audiences

QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive conducting experience, preferably with both symphonic and chamber choral ensembles, and with instrumental ensembles.
• Familiarity with vocal technique
• Advanced degree in choral conducting, or equivalent knowledge/experience
• Extensive knowledge of choral and symphonic repertoire, along with a record of diverse and innovative programming
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, administrative, and communication skills
• Experience with recruitment, outreach, and audience development
• Experience working collaboratively within a nonprofit organization, with an understanding and appreciation of the roles of the Board of Directors, the administrative personnel, and support volunteers

SELECTION

The PVS Chorus Director Search Committee will interview possible candidates and make recommendations for consideration of finalists to the Board of Directors by March 8th, 2027. The top candidates approved by the Board of Directors will be invited to audition with the PVS Chorus in February 2027. The new Chorus Director will be named before the conclusion of the 2026 - 2027 season and will begin duties as Chorus Director no later than July 2927, the start of our 89th season.

COMPENSATION

Compensation will be commensurate with experience. This is a part-time position, as an independent contractor, with no benefits. The Chorus Director is not an employee of the Pioneer Valley Symphony, Inc.