Boston Jazz Voices

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.

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Required skills and experience:

• 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

• Experience planning and running auditions

• Ability to sing with the group as needed

• 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

• 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)

• Advanced aural skills to support directing 6- and 8-part harmony

• 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.

• Ability to collaborate with the BJV Board and Music Committee (repertoire selection; rehearsal structure, plan concert dates; audition new members).

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Preferred skills include:

• Jazz a cappella arranging ability

• Vocal percussion skills

• Scat improvisational skills

• Basic piano skills and/or other instrumental experience

• Operating knowledge of sound systems (we perform both with a sound system and acoustically)

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Time commitment:

• Weekly rehearsals on Monday evenings in Waltham, with most federal holidays off

• Approximately twelve performances per year, including dress rehearsals

• Meetings with Board and Music Committee as scheduled

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This is a paid position, the terms of which are to be negotiated with the BJV Board of Directors.