NAS is looking for a new Music Director to start July, 2025
New Amsterdam Singers (NAS) is a skilled avocational chorus of 60 singers known for the breadth and variety of its repertoire. Led since 1968 by its founding Music Director, Clara Longstreth, the chorus performs music from the 16th through 21st centuries, with an emphasis on unknown works by well-known composers as well as gems by lesser-known and emerging composers. In addition to the more than a dozen works it has commissioned, NAS has presented numerous world and New York premieres. The chorus and its smaller chamber chorus have performed at venues throughout New York City, the surrounding region, and around the world, and under the baton of such renowned conductors as Leonard Bernstein and Marin Alsop.
NAS prides itself on its welcoming community and on the longstanding bonds that exist between our members and with our audiences. We are committed to continuing to explore culturally diverse repertoire and to cultivating diversity and belonging among our singers and audiences across multiple dimensions, including cultural, ethnic, racial, generational, and other identities.
Maestra Longstreth has announced her intention to retire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, and the Board of Directors welcomes applications for the position of Music Director from qualified candidates.
Please visit our website, www.nasingers.org, for further information about our chorus.
Profile of the Ideal Candidate
The new Music Director will have demonstrated experience leading skilled avocational singers and avocational and/or professional instrumentalists. They will have:
- Extensive knowledge of the choral repertoire, including contemporary works
- Strong communication and leadership skills
- A collaborative and inclusive style suitable to working with and inspiring a diverse population of singers, instrumentalists, donors, audience members, and Boards of Directors
- A commitment to teaching and fostering the growth of choral music
- Ability to develop and execute innovative, cohesive programs of challenging choral music
- Experience in audience development, fundraising, and budgeting
- Experience in managing the logistical and musical challenges of planning and performing individual concerts and a concert season
- Knowledge of the avocational and professional music community in and around New York City, and an ability and willingness to cultivate relationships and collaborate with other leaders and groups
In addition to strong professional skills, the ideal candidate will have a sense of humor, a collaborative spirit, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to lead by example. The ideal candidate will be one who shares with NAS the hopes of a long-term relationship with the chorus.
Responsibilities
NAS performs three separate programs each season, usually with two performances of each. With the approval of the Board of Directors, the Music Director is responsible for selecting and preparing the repertoire for these programs.
The full chorus rehearses Tuesday evenings from 7:00 – 9:45 PM on Manhattan’s Upper West Side from September through May. Chamber Chorus currently rehearses on alternate Wednesday evenings. Board meetings are currently held (via Zoom) monthly on Wednesday evenings.
The Music Director will be expected to:
- Assist with singer recruitment, and to audition and oversee acceptance of new singers
- Attend monthly evening Board meetings via Zoom or in person
- Provide information to the Board for the preparation of the annual operating budget
- Actively participate in fundraising and audience/donor development activities
- Build relationships with singers, community members, and audience
- Commit to the continued long-term success of the chorus
- Select, for Board approval, an Assistant Conductor when that position is vacant
NAS is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization governed by an active, elected, all-volunteer Board of Directors composed of singers and non-singers, and by formal by-laws. A separate endowment fund is overseen by an investment committee.
Application Procedure
Applicants should submit the following by email to directorsearch@nasingers.org:
- A thoughtful cover letter, letting us know where you learned of the position
- Resume or CV
- At least one video recording from a rehearsal or performance
- A draft program for a 60-75 minute concert prepared for NAS, including a title, and a 2-3 paragraph excerpt of program notes
Additional Information
This is a part-time position offered on an independent contractor basis. NAS does not provide health insurance or office space. In addition to the Music Director, the chorus employs three other part-time personnel on an independent contractor basis: a Manager, Assistant Conductor, and Accompanist.
The annual salary for the position is $25,000 – $30,000, commensurate with experience.
NAS welcomes all musically qualified applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of age, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation or identity, or religion.
References will be requested of semi-finalist candidates in Fall 2024.
Anticipated timeline:
- Position posted March 15, 2024
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All applications received by June 15, 2024 will receive full consideration.
- Committee reviews resumes/CVs, videos, program ideas, etc. as they are received.
- Round 1 interviews conducted (by Zoom) June, 2024
- Round 2 interviews conducted in person July and August 2024
- Audition Part 1: 60-90 minute “rehearsal” with chorus members on Nov. 2 or 16, 2024 (additional information will be provided for selected candidates)
- Reference checks conducted for finalists between October 2024 – January 2025
- Audition Part 2: conductor tryouts with the chorus January 11 or 25, 2025 (additional information will be provided for selected finalists)
- Position offered to selected candidate February or March 2025
- Selection of new Music Director announced March or April 2025