Young Women’s Choral Projects of San Francisco (YWCP) seeks a visionary, multitalented, and joyful Artistic and Executive Director to lead this world-class choral organization in its next growth phase, beginning with the 2023-2024 season. The new Artistic and Executive Director will bring exceptional musical ability and successful experience as a choral conductor and children’s educator to further the development of this artistically vibrant and financially sound organization. The new Artistic and Executive Director will embrace and embody YWCP’s mission to transform the lives of young women through exceptional artistry in choral performance and bring the expressive power of their music to the community, the nation, and the world.

About YWCP

YWCP is an award-winning, world-class choral organization for young women ages 4-18 where choristers from diverse backgrounds find their voices as singers, artists, and individuals in a nurturing and joyful musical environment that empowers them to achieve artistic and personal excellence. Founded in 2012 by Dr. Susan McMane, YWCP is comprised of four choir levels (three training choirs and one premier ensemble): Prelude Chorus (grades 2-6), Allegro Chorus (grades 4-8), Vivo Chorus (grades 6-12), and Young Women’s Chorus (grades 7-12). Each level has a unique curriculum and musical objectives, and together the levels constitute a comprehensive vocal music education. YWCP also offers two non-auditioned classes for girls ages 4-8. Our organization is open to all female-identifying and gender non-conforming youth who sing in the treble range. The Young Women’s Chorus (YWC) is YWCP’s premier performing ensemble and is comprised of singers who exhibit excellent vocal technique and exceptional musicianship skills. YWC sings challenging choral music for treble voices, emphasizing classical compositions from all eras and including world music, jazz and Broadway selections. YWC presents an annual concert series in the San Francisco Bay Area, tours annually nationally or internationally, and collaborates and appears with renowned guest artists and arts organizations such as the San Francisco Symphony, Frederica von Stade, UC Berkeley's Cal Performances, the Kronos Quartet, and the London Philharmonia. To learn more about the organization, please visit ywcp.org.

Artistic and Executive Director Responsibilities

The Artistic and Executive Director will set the artistic vision and organizational operation of the organization as a whole and direct the Young Women’s Chorus. The ideal candidate is committed to creating an environment of personal and musical growth for children and young adults through choral music education and is enthusiastic about the opportunity to craft meaningful and joyful musical experiences for the YWCP singers. According to Caroline, a 2022 graduate,

“the most precious gift this chorus and our director have given me has been the ability to value myself. I’ve found that as a young woman, feeling as though I have inherent worth and that I deserve to take up space is often difficult. During my time in the chorus, however, my faith in myself has blossomed beyond what I believed possible.”

Artistic Responsibilities

• Define and embody the artistic and educational standards of the YWCP, inspire the organization.

• Oversee and direct the management of all concerts (including training choirs).

• Mentor artistic staff to ensure the singers’ high music education and artistry level.

• Build and maintain relationships and cultivate opportunities to collaborate with other high-level musicians and arts organizations, including identifying and facilitating opportunities for creative collaborations with other artists that can expand the diversity and repertoire of the YWCP.

• Commission new works for treble voices.

• Maintain artistic growth through membership in choral organizations and attend workshops and conventions as appropriate.

• Lead singer recruitment efforts and oversee placement auditions.

• Teach and conduct the premier ensemble, including selecting repertoire, teaching music, directing all rehearsals and retreats, preparing for performances and leading performances.

• Oversee advancement criteria and educational goals for each choir’s singers in collaboration with the artistic staff.

• Lead YWC on an annual summer tour of roughly ten days.

Executive and Administrative Responsibilities

• Manage growth of YWCP in alignment with the organization’s mission, vision, operating budget, and strategic plan.

• Supervise and develop administrative and artistic staff and contracted instrumentalists.

• Work with the Managing Director on the day-to-day operation of the organization.

• Oversee and implement fundraising and grant-writing efforts, including helping to identify and cultivate prospects.

• Attend Board meetings as a member, provide regular reports, work collaboratively to develop the operating plan and budget, respond to other high-level organizational needs.

• Strategize innovative ways to increase enrollment and impact.

• Develop and maintain a warm and nurturing environment that will nourish young singers.

• Manage staff recruitment as necessary.

• Work with artistic and administrative staff to implement concert programs.

• Maintain communication with parents and singers, including regular meetings as needed.

• Serve as the organization’s public ambassador and support YWCP marketing initiatives to promote YWCP’s mission.

• Supervise outreach to parent and alum communities.

• Work with YWCP staff to ensure that all necessary administrative tasks are accomplished, including planning rehearsal schedules and locations

Qualifications and Competencies

This section describes the skills and experience that are most important to this position. We understand that not everyone will be equally strong in each area and that each candidate will bring strengths and talents beyond what we’ve described. We welcome your application if you are excited about this role and our mission! The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Master's degree in music; DMA or Ph.D. preferred.

• Minimum of ten years of choral conducting experience; minimum of five years experience conducting children’s choirs.

• Demonstrated track record of providing outstanding artistic and organizational leadership for a multi-ensemble organization; minimum of five years of experience preferred.

• Exceptional conductor and vocal educator skills with a thorough understanding of the young voice; ability to select diverse, challenging, and developmentally appropriate music.

• Thorough knowledge of children’s and treble choir repertoire, with particular attention to highly-regarded repertoire and diverse, innovative programming.

• Proven leadership, organizational development, long-term artistic & strategic planning.

• Charisma and ability to motivate singers, artistic staff, and Board members.

• A high degree of personal integrity and character, with an ability to build consensus.

• Exceptional organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Knowledge of and significant experience in the use of the Kodály method.

• Passion for children’s music education and choral excellence.

• Membership in professional choral music and music education associations

Hours, Compensation and Benefits

The Artistic and Executive Director will report to the YWCP Board of Directors. Compensation, including benefits, is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position is salaried and full-time, with a schedule that includes regular weeknight and weekend commitments. Salary starting at $110,000, negotiated based on education and experience.

Regular YWCP rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons at the Calvary Presbyterian Church in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. The Artistic and Executive Director will work from home during their non-rehearsal hours.

All YWCP employees are subject to background checks and must be vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees will be asked to provide proof of complete vaccination before their first day on the job.

YWCP is an equal-opportunity employer.

Application Process

Please submit the following to ywcpdirectorsearch@gmail.com:

• A cover letter describing your relevant experience and interest in the position

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae

• Three professional references with phone and email contact information (please include a description of the applicant’s relationship with each individual)

• Two or more proposed concert program samples with repertoire choices appropriate for our premier ensemble.

• Videos of concert performance samples (please include the date and location of performance and title and composer for each piece performed); videos of prior rehearsals are also welcome.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with priority consideration for applications submitted by November 30, 2022. Top candidates will be asked to participate in at least one rehearsal. Submission of candidacy will be held in confidence. The position will be filled by Spring 2023 and commence in late spring of 2023, with the Artistic and Executive Director assuming full-time leadership of the organization by September 1, 2023.