Director of Music

In the world of music, the role of a choral director is spiritually important. As music continues to evolve, so is the need for passionate and knowledgeable choral directors to lead, inspire, and shape our musical landscape.

GRCMB's Mission Statement

GRCMB is a Royal School of Church Music chartered choir whose mission is to encourage and support the spiritual and musical education of children

and to serve the worship and arts communities of West Michigan.

The Director of Music needs to direct his or her energies towards GRCMB's two-fold mission. Ministering to the members of the choir.

Ministering to the people who come to hear the choir sing.

Duties and responsibilities include

Oversee the Choir of Men & Boys by leading them in well planned, enjoyable rehearsals with the goal of confident, engaging performances. This will be achieved by :

Teaching choir members how to sing in a healthy, correct manner. The Director must understand and be able to communicate vocal technique and vocal production.

Selecting music which will excite and challenge the choir, while at the same time having a level of difficulty which still affords successful, confident execution by both young and old.

Providing at home SATB audio study guides for as much of the music as possible.

As a Royal School of Church Music Choir, the music must be drawn from the sacred music tradition of the great Cathedrals in England.

Maintain GRCMB's unique concert programing by having an overall theme which integrates poetry, scripture and art to enhance the choral selections being sung.

Create the GRCMB concert program

The choir rehearses Tuesday evenings from 6 : 30 to 8 : 30 with the full choir, and with just the boys (including the Preparatory Choristers) on Friday afternoons from 4 : 30 to 6 : 00.

Recruitment of Singers

Due to changing voices in a boy choir, a chorister's time in the choir is relatively short (3 to 5

years). Therefore, GRCMB's Director must be committed to ongoing year-round recruitment.

The six-week summer camp program (six Tuesdays in July and August) is the backbone of GRCMB's chorister recruitment. The D.M. needs to run a summer camp

program.

The D.M. must also recruit and maintain a solid, supportive back row of gentlemen.

The D.M. must be comfortable and competent in auditioning singers both young and old for musicality and vocal tone to avoid bringing in singers who will alter the GRCMB sound. The sound of a Cathedral Men & Boys' Choir is unique from other choirs. Blend is everything.

Royal School of Church Music in Chorister Training (RSCMA.org)

GRCMB follows an adapted version of the RSCM chorister training scheme.

The boys work independently through 7 levels of music theory earning medals from the RSCM

The D.M. must be able to teach and guide the boys through the RSCM music theory scheme.

The D.M. shall maintain the choir's membership in the Royal School of Church Music in America.

Communication

The D.M. must communicate effectively with Choir Members, Parents, Board Members, and the

Community.

Budget

Inspire the Choir's Fund Raising as well as Plan and Execute the Choir's Expenditures. The D.M. guides the ongoing annual expenditures of the choir working in conjunction with GRCMB's Board. Report the choir's finances to the GRCMB Board meeting every couple of months. Each fall, the D.M. shall write the choir's single annual fundraising appeal letter. The other four opportunities for giving come as offertory collections at the 9 concert appearances.

GRCMB Director Candidate Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or higher in Music, Choral Conducting or relevant field.

Proven experience as a Choral Director. YouTube links of the candidate conducting appreciated.

Strong musical background and deep understanding of choral music.

A strong background in singing and an understanding of the vocal mechanism are crucial, as he or she will work with a range of voice types across different age groups.

Outstanding organizational and leadership abilities.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Experience working with children.

Be passionate about music with the personality to inspire singers to perform at their best

Be patient, attentive, and able to bring out the best in each choir member, regardless of their skill level.

As GRCMB's D.M. will be working with minor children, passing a State of Michigan Police Background Check will be required upon final candidate's offering and accepting the position.

Additional Information

Work Environment :

This position primarily takes place in a rehearsal and performance environment. Currently the choir's practice space is in the Albert P. Smith Music Center of Grand Rapids Community College. The choir's performance venue is the Basilica of St. Adalbert.

Office :

GRCMB does not have a physical office space, therefore the D.M. will need to create his or

her own office working space.

We hope to have the position filled by early 2026 with the position starting on July 1st, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

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