CONDUCTING APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM 2024 Choral Canada is seeking to fill the position of Apprentice Conductor for the 2024 National Youth Choir of Canada. The National Youth Choir of Canada (NYCC) Conducting Apprenticeship is a biennial program, which affords an emerging conductor the opportunity to work with Canada’s celebrated National Youth Choir of Canada under the guidance of one of Canada’s preeminent choral conductors. The next iteration will take place in Québec in 2024 and will culminate with the NYCC concert presented during the Podium Conference and Festival in Montréal (May 16-19, 2024), as well as a short tour preceding this concert. The 2024 NYCC will be under the direction of Roseline Blain. APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 16, 2023 ELIGIBILITY 1. Canadian citizen or permanent resident 2. Currently working or studying as a choral conductor or group leader 3. The successful applicant must not be older than 35 years as of the concluding date of the program (May 20, 2024). LANGUAGE ​NYCC rehearsals and planning will be conducted in English; however, as a national program and with the 2024 program taking place in Québec, conversational French language skills would be an asset and would allow the Apprentice conductor to participate more fully in workshops and other community activities in Québec. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Please submit your completed online application AND send the following items via email to sarah@choralcanada.org before July 16, 2023. If applying online is a barrier, please contact Choral Canada for alternative arrangements (written/oral applications) at 647-606-2467 or sarah@choralcanada.org. Application Questions include: 1. Why do you want to work with the National Youth Choir of Canada? What you would like to gain from the opportunity, how you intend to use this experience, and why you should be the successful candidate? (1250 characters maximum). 2. How would you support the Guest Conductor in building community with 40 singers of diverse backgrounds and skill levels? (750 characters maximum). 3. Is there anything else you would like Choral Canada and the NYCC Committee to know as they consider your application? (750 characters maximum). Required Supporting Documents include: 1. A detailed résumé (PDF format) outlining your choral conducting education and experience. Save document with title “[Your Last Name] – Résumé”. 2. A list of repertoire that is representative of works you have studied, rehearsed and led in performance over your career. Categorize it by works studied, works rehearsed, and works conducted in performance. Repertoire that has been performed as an ensemble member may also be included but categorized separately as such. Save PDF document with title “[Your Last Name] – Works Conducted”. 3. ONE written letter of recommendation from someone who knows you and your work as a conductor/group leader. (PDF format) 4. The link(s) to your unlisted YouTube video(s) that includes video footage of your conducting, including the following: 1. 10-15 minute rehearsal showing your conducting and rehearsal technique. 2. 5-10 minute performance (can be different repertoire from that on the rehearsal recording) 3. NOTE: The total length of the video recording(s) should not exceed 25 minutes. 5. Details of works conducted in the provided YouTube videos. In a separate document, include the following information in PDF format. Save document with title “[Your Last Name] – Video Information”) 1. Track numbers with timing of each track, if applicable 2. The title and composer of each piece rehearsed and/or performed 3. The date(s) on which the rehearsal and performance were originally recorded 4. The name of the ensemble(s) and the recording venue(s) Helpful information on how to create and share unlisted YouTube videos can be found here: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/157177?hl=en APPRENTICE CONDUCTOR PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS The Apprentice Conductor of the 2024 National Youth Choir of Canada will: * commit to participating in rehearsals with the choir in person from May 3-10, performing with the choir on tour in Québec from May 11-16 and concluding at the Podium Festival in Montréal from May 16-19. * Participate in any workshops and online meetings of the NYCC prior to the start of the program in May 2024. * All travel, food, and accommodations are provided for the duration of the NYCC rehearsal week and the tour. A complimentary Conference delegate pass and Festival pass to the PODIUM 2024 Choral Conference & Festival in Montréal, QC is included. The Conducting Apprenticeship also includes a partnership to work with Pro Coro Canada in a season subscription program under the mentorship of the ensemble’s conductor Michael Zaugg. The apprentice is hosted by Pro Coro Canada for an 8-10 day period in Edmonton, Alberta and will work with the professional choir in preparation to conduct a selection in a concert. The apprentice will also meet with choral leaders in Edmonton, observe a variety of other choral ensembles, and create professional connections. AWARD $4000 CAD award, paid upon completion of the program. This program is generously funded by the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation. SELECTION PROCESS: Choral Canada will establish a Selection Committee that includes the current NYCC Guest Conductor, a member of 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. The successful applicant will be announced on or before September 1, 2023. ​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 sarah@choralcanada.org.