Taos Community Chorus Conductor

Taos Community Chorus is a 501(c)3 organization located in Taos, New Mexico. The chorus currently rehearses Monday evenings from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Parish Hall at St. James Episcopal Church and presents two programs a year in area churches with excellent pianos. Kim Bakkum is engaged as our Collaborative Pianist for rehearsals and performances. 

Fall Season: Second Monday in September through the end of November – Contracted amount $3,000.00 (added compensation available if additional rehearsals are required)

Spring Season: Second Monday in February through the beginning of May – Contracted amount $3,000.00 (added compensation available if additional rehearsals are required)

Personal Qualifications: Superior musicianship, Skill in group management, Decisive and expressive baton technique, Specialized skill on one instrument or voice, Superior diplomacy. Commitment to learning, playing and teaching music, Well-organized. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Knowledge and Skills Required: Performance, Conducting and voice pedagogy, Sight-reading and open score reading, Understanding of qualities and limitations of instruments and voices, History of music, Knowledge of languages.

Recommended Pre-College Training: Completion of high school, Ability to read music, Foreign language study, Performance skill on one instrument or voice, Experience in performing groups.

Minimum College Training Required: College degree in music not always required but equivalent training is necessary, Choral and instrumental techniques and/or experience working with a 60-person volunteer choir helpful.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Report directly to the Board of Directors
• Select repertoire in advance of each season’s rehearsals
• Communicate financial needs with the Board of Directors
• Order music as necessary in advance of the seasonal rehearsal start date
• Prepare in advance for rehearsals
• Conduct a two-hour choir rehearsal one evening each week
• Obtain additional concert musicians as needed and available
• Conduct additional rehearsals with musicians in advance of concerts
• Conduct up to four concerts per season (generally over two weekends)
• Request piano tuning as needed for the rehearsal and concert spaces
• Write a repertoire synopsis for the concert program
• Offer proper decorum and respect for the rehearsal and performance spaces (church setting)

• Support of “community building” time each rehearsal in the form of tea break, announcements and/or music history presentations
• Time spent on basic music education during rehearsals within the context of learning the music chosen for the program
• Continued recruitment of youth and under-represented populations to sing in the chorus

Email Proposals to: [email protected]

Mail Proposals to:

Taos Community Chorus

PO Box 2422

Taos, NM 87571