Choral Conducting Opportunity

Choral Canada is seeking to fill the position of Guest Conductor for the 2024 National Youth Choir of Canada. Historically, the Guest Conductor position has been filled by a nomination process; for 2024 and beyond it will be an open application with interviews conducted by a selection committee established by Choral Canada. 

Submissions from all candidates who meet the eligibility requirements are welcome. 

Note: Peers who wish to recommend a candidate may do so via our online Guest Conductor Recommendation form. All candidates will be evaluated based on their application. A recommendation does not carry any weight in the evaluation process, but it is a way for Choral Canada and the NYCC to learn about potential candidates who may not otherwise apply or who do not know about the opportunity. Recommended candidates will be contacted by a representative of the NYCC and asked to complete the application requirements if they wish to be considered for the role.
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DEADLINE: November 30, 2022

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APPLY: Click here to access the APPLICATION FORM to submit your application.
RECOMMEND: Click here to access the RECOMMENDATION FORM and recommend a peer 

To learn more about Choral Canada, click here to visit our new website. ​

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR OF CANADA?

The National Youth Choir of Canada - Chœur national des jeunes du Canada (NYCC-CNJC) is a unique professional development opportunity for some of Canada’s best emerging singers. The program provides access to high-level training, challenging repertoire, educational workshops, outreach projects, exciting new connections with peers from across the country and culminates with a weekend performing, learning and networking at Choral Canada’s national choral conference and festival, PODIUM. In order to be truly national in scope, Choral Canada strives to have a quartet from each province and territory (one voice per part) to make up the NYCC. 

Since 1984, twenty incredible Canadian choral conductors have led this choir of outstanding youth. The NYCC has performed in 9 provinces and at each of Choral Canada’s Podium Conference and Festivals. The NYCC has also performed at the 1993 World Symposium on Choral Music in Vancouver, toured with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 2017 celebrating Canada's sesquicentennial, and has concert recordings broadcasted nationally on the CBC Radio network. To learn more about past National Youth Choir of Canada Conductors and their experience, please visit www.NYCC.ca ​

WHO SHOULD APPLY, CONDUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES, COMPENSATION

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Conductors/leaders with established experience in leading groups of singers with varied music skills through intensive rehearsal environments and performing challenging repertoire.

In the past, the NYCC has been primarily based in a Western Classical tradition and while this repertoire could remain an important element of the program, Choral Canada has broadened the scope of the program to include other educational approaches and musical styles. 

Applicants must be:

• a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• actively working in the Canadian choral community

Language:
NYCC rehearsals and planning will be conducted in English; however, as a national program and with the 2024 program taking place in Quebec, the Guest Conductor’s fluency in French will be a significant asset. The Guest Conductor may be expected to plan and deliver workshops to francophone communities on tour, liaise with artists as well as participate in public relations and media activities in French as required.

CONDUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Guest Conductor of the 2024 National Youth Choir of Canada will:

• commit to rehearsing the choir in person from May 3-10, performing with the choir on tour in Québec from May 11-16 and finishing at the Podium Festival in Montreal from May 16-19. 
• be responsible for preparing a program of 70-80 minutes of repertoire.
  • Repertoire is expected to include composers/songwriters from Canada, as well as seeking out challenging and diverse repertoire from a variety of musical styles and genres. 
  • The program will also include a commission and the winning Diane Loomer Award composition from Choral Canada’s Composition for Choral Writing Competition.
  • Choral Canada will support the program in the execution of this repertoire by coordinating workshops with living composers/songwriters and/or facilitating discussion with genre experts as needed. 
• plan and deliver meetings with the singers and artistic staff via Zoom in the months leading up to the program to support the singers in their preparation and home practice
• work with and mentor the NYCC Apprentice Conductor
• participate in the NYCC national audition jury process
• participate as a member of the Final Jury for Choral Canada’s Competition for Choral Writing
• work in collaboration with the NYCC Tour Manager
• plan and deliver workshops and community outreach as needed in May 2024.
• fulfill all other artistic responsibilities necessary for the successful delivery of the program.

COMPENSATION

• ​$7500 CAD honorarium (plus HST), paid upon completion of the program.
• All travel, food, and accommodations are provided for the duration of the rehearsal week and tour dates. 
• Complimentary Conference delegate pass and Festival pass to the PODIUM 2024 Choral Conference & Festival in Montreal, QC.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Complete the online application form (click to access Google form). 
2. Provide all documents and materials as requested. 
3. Deadline to Apply: November 30, 2022

​Choral Canada is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in all its work, and to being fair and equitable in practice. It strives to build diversity and inclusivity into its teams, committees, programs, and services, thereby fostering an organizational environment in which all people wishing to participate may flourish. 

If applying online is a barrier, please contact Choral Canada for alternative arrangements (written/oral applications) at 647-606-2467 or [email protected].

SELECTION

Choral Canada will establish a Selection Committee that includes a past NYCC Conductor, a member from the NYCC Committee, a member of the Choral Canada Board of Directors, an external member of Choral Canada, and senior staff from Choral Canada. The Selection Committee will review all applications. Following review, the Selection Committee will select individuals for interview. The Selection Committee will then present its final selection to the NYCC Committee and then to be ratified by the Choral Canada Board of Directors.  Selection will be based upon the individual’s application and the qualifications outlined above. All individuals who apply will be contacted directly regarding the outcome of the process.