Sing! Choral Director

Music Academy; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 69,000; Part time

Job summary

The Music Academy of the West seeks a part-time Choral Director for the Sing! program in the Santa Barbara area.

Responsibilities include teaching up to 10 hours weekly across Carpinteria, Goleta, and Santa Barbara sites, leading All-Choir rehearsals, conducting concerts, and developing repertoire with a focus on cultural exploration. Ideal candidates have a music degree and prior experience with children’s choirs, with willingness to engage diverse communities and schools.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a children’s choral director.
• Ability to work with diverse communities and multiple stakeholders.
• Commitment to non-profit arts organizations.
• Spanish proficiency is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Choral Director for the Sing! program, teaching up to 10 hours per week in Carpinteria, Goleta and Santa Barbara sites.
• Lead monthly All-Choir rehearsals at the Music Academy of the West campus.
• Conduct Sing! concerts and special events.
• Teach and perform choral repertoire promoting cultural exploration.
• Plan repertoire, syllabus and program development, and coordinate events.

Skills

Choral directing

Public speaking

Collaborative work

Education

Music degree

Job description

Description

The Music Academy of the West is committed to serving the youth of Santa Barbara with the highest level of excellence in choral instruction and music education through its Sing! program, now in its seventh year. Sing! Choral Directors are instrumental to implementing the program’s vision and building relationships in our community. This position reports to the administrative Director of Sing!

Requirements

Position Responsibilities

• Serve as Choral Director for the Sing! program, teaching up to 10 hours per week after school in 6 local sites in Carpinteria, Goleta, and Santa Barbara. May increase as the program grows.
• Lead monthly All-Choir rehearsals at the Music Academy of the West campus.
• Conduct at Sing! concerts and special events.
• Teach and perform choral repertoire that promotes and embraces cultural exploration.
• Participate in pre-planning activities including repertoire selection, syllabus and program development, and the planning and execution of performance and recruitment events.
• Manage parent volunteer groups, site coordinators, and collaborative pianists.
• Participate in Academy programs such as the Summer Festival, and Sing! recruitment events.
• Attend regular meetings with administration, Sing! Team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Candidate Profile

The Music Academy values colleagues with diverse perspectives who thrive in a collaborative, highly communicative workplace. Our administration collectively informs and agrees upon the organization’s expectations for teamwork, including a positive, goal-oriented environment that positions every employee for success.

The ideal candidate will have a music degree and will demonstrate some, if not all:

• Proven experience as a children’s choral director
• A passion for classical music or other performing arts and a commitment to non-profit arts organizations
• Ability to work with diverse communities and multiple stakeholders, including local school systems
• Creativity in program development
• Strong organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work on a team collaboratively with minimal supervision and adapt to changing work priorities and schedules
• Commitment to:
• Investing in the professional growth of young artists and the cultivation of new audiences
• Extending the brand of the Music Academy of the West as a thought leader and change maker in classical music, both nationally and internationally
• Spanish proficiency is a plus

Additional Information

• The work schedule may vary but will consist primarily of:
• Weekly: 3-5 separate rehearsals (1.5-2 hours each) at designated Sing! sites
• Bi-Weekly: 1-hour team meetings
• Monthly: 3-hour All-Choir rehearsals at Music Academy of the West
• Some nights and weekends may be required
• Must provide own transportation to and from rehearsals or performances

Compensation and Benefits

This is a non-exempt, part-time temporary position up to 10 hours weekly, at an hourly rate of $45-50, commensurate with experience. Part-time employees are not eligible for Music Academy benefits unless required by law. Complimentary tickets are offered when available.

The Music Academy of the West is an equal opportunity employer. We aim to create a diverse and inclusive work environment and we value each employee’s unique experiences and perspectives.

About the Music Academy:

As part of its annual Summer Music Festival & School, the Academy presents the Fellowship Institute, which trains up to 150 fellows ages 18–34, alongside the High School Intensive, a two-week program for 105 gifted musicians ages 14–18. Year-round programs include Sing!, a youth choir that performs with local, national, and international partners; and the Mariposa Concert Series, featuring Academy-affiliated artists. Each summer, the Festival showcases more than 100 performances and events, including masterclasses, chamber music, and a fully staged opera. The 2027 Summer Music Festival & School will run June–August, 2027. The complete performance lineup for the Festival will be unveiled in early 2027.