Conductor

Background:

Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir) is a non-profit organization that empowers and unites youth from diverse backgrounds to find their voice and celebrate their common humanity through the power of music. Founded at the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement on the South side of Chicago, the organization has grown from one choir to a vast network of school-based and after-school programs serving thousands of youth ages 6 through 18 from every zip code of Chicago.

Uniting Voices is a civic treasure and model for culturally responsive music education. Since 1956, the organization has built programs that reflect the racial and economic diversity of Chicago. 80% of the youth it serves are from low to moderate income households and the vast majority of students participate free of charge. High school seniors enrolled in Uniting Voices Chicago programs have a 100% high school graduation rate and go on to become global ambassadors who embody the core values of education, expression, and excellence in a wide array of professional fields. As a national and international touring ensemble, Uniting Voices has performed for dignitaries such as former President Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, and former Chinese President Hu Jintao and with artists such as Karol G, Chance the Rapper, Bobby McFerrin, Common, Yo-Yo Ma, and Andrea Bocelli.

Position Description:

Uniting Voices Chicago employs full-time music educators to provide choral-based programming in partnership with nearly 90 schools and 12 community-based programs across the city serving children and youth from 3rd grade through high school with weekly or biweekly rehearsals throughout the school year. All programs perform independently 2-3 times per year in addition to joint concerts connecting Uniting Voices Chicago singers in performance. Additionally, 1st and 2nd-grade children may participate in an 8-week exploratory music program called Prelude at a few sites around the city.

The Uniting Voices team of conductors work with each other and outside clinicians/culture bearers to create a diverse set of repertoires to ensure a curriculum rich in historical context and presented with cultural integrity, appropriate to the authentic style of each piece. Conductors lead their assigned groups in addition to supporting the artistic vision of the organization through participation in planning committees and regular conductor team connections.

The Conductor provides a high-quality learning and performance experience for youth ages 6 to 18. As a faculty member with Uniting Voices, the Conductor will create meaningful opportunities for young people to express themselves, learn music authentically from an array of genres and cultures, develop their musical and performance skills, and build emotional intelligence. The Conductor will elevate the artistry of their ensembles and encourage deep exploration of the historical and social context of music and its relevance today. In addition, they will thoughtfully engage their community and build participation and retention in their programs.

This full-time role includes approximately 50% teaching hours; 40% planning, preparation, and community engagement, and 10% travel time. Teaching hours cover between 6 and 12 different school or community sites where programming takes place.

Key Responsibilities

Musical and Educational

• Facilitate student learning in assigned choirs, incorporating the curriculum set forth by Uniting Voices faculty in addition to the self-selected repertoire.
• Teach choral music through a lens of cultural responsiveness and authenticity, maintaining a dedication to equity and anti-racism.
• Seek and facilitate mission-aligned and community-based performance opportunities for singers.
• Lead all rehearsals and performances for designated ensembles.
• Maintain rigorous learning and performance standards.
• Administer singer assessments twice yearly and use associated data to inform instructional practice.

Community Engagement, Communication, and Relationship Building

• Communicate regularly with school and community partners to ensure the best possible experiences for all stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively with families to foster deep and meaningful relationships with Uniting Voices.
• Recruit singers for participation in programs, maintaining an ensemble size that allows for a successful experience
• Educate families on opportunities for growth within the choir and assist with promotion into more advanced ensembles when appropriate.

Organizational Support and Administrative

• Actively participate in meetings, professional development workshops, and staff training as scheduled.
• In collaboration with the Senior Program Director, support the Neighborhood Choir Program Assistant in delivering the best experience possible
• Attend and assist with organizational concerts and events.

Qualifications:

• Strong choral music educator and conductor capable of teaching diverse music through culturally responsive methodologies.
• Dedication to anti-racism and equity.
• Passion for working with diverse youth ages 6-18 and for fostering deep and authentic relationships with their families and communities.
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in music.
• Commitment to collaboration in a team of fellow music educators, as part of a larger organizational staff and with families and community partners in a mission-driven environment.

“OTR” Life Experience: We know that many of your most character-building experiences- where resilience, grit, and grace were required to persevere- do not show up neatly on a resume. So, we want to hear some of those “OTR” (“off the resume”) moments for you. In order to be on the Uniting Voices team, EQ (Emotional Intelligence) is not a nice to have; it’s a must. So, show us your EQ.

What it’s Like to Work at Uniting Voices: Sincerely, we’re a family. We get it done while having fun. We’re all working toward a colorful, peaceful, and equitable future - and that feels good. We share a passion for music and the vast potential of young people.

In addition to work you can believe in, Uniting Voices offers the following perks:

• Unlimited paid time off, including 8 state holidays and a company-wide two-week winter break.
• Half-day Fridays out of respect for the work we do on evenings and weekends.
• An array of health insurance options with generous subsidies of premiums. We also offer vision, dental, short and long-term disability insurance, and life insurance.
• A retirement plan with matched contributions up to 3% after a year of employment. We’re invested in your future!
• A pre-tax commuter program that allows you to save on public transportation and parking.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should send a resume and cover letter to jobs@unitingvoiceschicago.org, with the job title in the subject line.

Uniting Voices is an equal-opportunity employer that actively pursues candidates of diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to providing diversity, equity, and inclusion training to all employees, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, nationality or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy status, marital status, age, medical condition, disability, or veteran status in admission or access to, or employment in, its programs and activities.