
Boston Jazz Voices
Seeking director starting September 2023
Responsibilities:
Plan and run rehearsals, further members' vocal education, sing with ensemble, and create performance programs.
The Director reports to the Board of Directors and is assisted by the Music Committee.
Required skills and experience:
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Experience directing a cappella groups: planning rehearsals; leading warm-up exercises; designing exercises to target vocal ensemble sound and related skill practice; putting together concert setlists, and mapping benchmarks to prepare the group for performance deadlines
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Experience planning and running auditions
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Ability to sing with the group as needed
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Extensive knowledge of the jazz a cappella genre, including jazz theory, world music influences, the Great American Songbook, and jazz a cappella groups and arrangers
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An appreciation of our diverse repertoire and arrangements — including, but not limited to Vox One, The Real Group, Gene Puerling, and Tsunenori “Lee” Abe (our outgoing Director)
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Advanced aural skills to support directing 6- and 8-part harmony
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Rehearsal strategies to help both new & long-time members improve their performance skills, including developing the group’s musicianship & sound by teaching blend, tuning, dynamics, rhythm, entrances and cutoffs.
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Ability to collaborate with the BJV Board and Music Committee (repertoire selection; rehearsal structure, plan concert dates; audition new members).
Preferred skills include:
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Jazz a cappella arranging ability
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Vocal percussion skills
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Scat improvisational skills
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Basic piano skills and/or other instrumental experience
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Operating knowledge of sound systems (we perform both with a sound system and acoustically)
Time commitment:
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Weekly rehearsals on Monday evenings in Waltham, with most federal holidays off
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Approximately twelve performances per year, including dress rehearsals
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Meetings with Board and Music Committee as scheduled
This is a paid position, the terms of which are to be negotiated with the BJV Board of Directors.
Boston Jazz Voices seeks a visionary, talented, and experienced music director with a deep knowledge of vocal jazz/close harmony repertoire, theory, and practice to lead, inspire, and grow the ensemble.
Founded in 1985, BJV is an auditioned 18-voice jazz ensemble based in Waltham, MA, with a mission to offer unique, professional-quality programs of a cappella singing to the public; and to provide musical education and a valuable artistic outlet to its members.
Interested applicants should email a resume, cover letter, and two references to search@bostonjazzvoices.org by June 1, 2023. Audio or video recordings of rehearsals or performances are encouraged but not required. Qualified candidates will be asked to conduct a rehearsal and participate in an interview with members of the ensemble this summer. We aim to make a final selection by mid-August. The new Director will collaborate with the current Director on weekly rehearsals and several concerts beginning in September through the end of December 2023, before taking over full responsibility for the group.
Boston Jazz Voices is an equal opportunity organization and will not discriminate based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, gender expression, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status protected by applicable law.