Career Center

Anima-Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus is seeking a dynamic and visionary conductor, music educator, and leader to serve as its Artistic Director, beginning in the 2022-2023 season. Founded in 1964, Anima is an internationally renowned leader in youth choruses in North America and has received numerous accolades and awards for performance excellence. Anima performs regularly with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Grant Park Music Festival at Millennium Park. Children in Anima experience self-growth through the joys of singing, teamwork, musical understanding, self-discipline, and artistic expression. The Artistic Director will foster a love of music and nurture each chorister’s potential for artistic and personal excellence in various ensemble programs for young people from kindergarten through high school. The successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for transforming young lives through music education and choral singing, an understanding of the young singer, and a desire to continue Anima’s legacy of excellence in youth choral education.

Responsibilities:

• Guides the organization in establishing the artistic vision and, with Anima team, determines strategic direction, develops long and short-term goals, and identifies strategies to achieve organizational goals and artistic vision.
• Brings entrepreneurial creativity and commitment to growth of the organization, including development of new performance opportunities and artistic collaborations; fostering collaborative relationships with local music educators and groups; and supporting fundraising and recruiting activities spearheaded by the Executive Director.
• Serves as the “face of Anima” in role of primary spokesperson and organizational champion. Confident, engaging, and articulate communicator with students, parents, Board members, and business and community organizations. Uses own professional stature and visibility to enhance Anima’s image and reputation within local, national, and international professional community.
• Oversees the talent acquisition and mentoring of musical staff, conductors, accompanists, and other musicians to ensure music education and artistry is consistently maintained in all choirs.
• Works collaboratively with the Executive Director to facilitate the effective and efficient operations of the chorus. Produces artistic programs within established budget parameters while reporting to the Board of Directors.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of seven years related experience in choral conducting with at least three years of experience teaching and conducting a youth chorus. Some orchestral conducting and piano proficiency is desirable. Technological capability in teaching, producing, and performing choral music in virtual and in-person venues.
• Exceptional conductor and vocal pedagogue with working knowledge of languages and demonstrated success in teaching, producing, and conducting performances of exceptional quality. Demonstrates a professional standard and dynamic understanding of the child voice ages 8-18 (including the changing voice), language and diction, and diverse musical styles. Provides a high-quality repertoire and curriculum that engages and challenges choristers.
• Demonstrated experience in creating a nurturing, respectful, and inspirational environment in which children of all ages sing and grow. Ability to effectively communicate with choristers and respond to individual chorister needs, including social emotional development, with tact and sensitivity.

Procedures for candidacy:

• Please submit cover letter, resume, contact information for three references, rehearsal video (~15 minutes) demonstrating warm-up routine and rehearsal techniques, and 2-4 concert program repertoire samples (please include title, composer, voicing, date, and location of performances).
• Those selected for second phase interviews will be asked to submit audio or video of concert performances (3-5 songs). Finalists will be observed rehearsing with the Anima Touring ensemble.
• Application deadline is May 2, 2022. Submission of candidacy will be held in confidence.