Pioneer Valley Symphony Chorus Director

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
  
  

APPLICATIONS

Please submit the following materials:

• Letter of interest addressing responsibilities and qualifications
• CV/resume of relevant education and experience
• Two sample choral programs, and two sample choral/orchestral programs (conducted or prepared by the applicant)
• Links to front-facing conducting footage from within the last three years; must include one rehearsal clip and one performance clip of at least 10 uninterrupted minutes each
• Names and contact information for three references; must include one that can speak to work with community organizations
  

Please submit all materials electronically through this google form: Chorus Director Application Form. The application review process will begin on September 14th, 2026. Materials will be accepted until finalists are named. For documents, submit pdf files only; for conducting video samples, submit links to uploaded videos on YouTube, Vimeo or other video sharing sites. All applications will be treated confidentially.

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.