Part-Time Choir Director

The Occidental Community Choir (OCC) is now in its 38th year and has a reputation for excellence by producing unique concert experiences that combine humor, storytelling, poetry, varied instrumental accompaniment, and an off-the-beaten-path repertoire. OCC is a progressive and diverse group made up of delightful, quirky folks of all ages and many beliefs.

Job Responsibilities:

-Prepare for, attend, and conduct all weekly rehearsals. We rehearse on Wednesdays, from 7:15-9:30pm, September through May. The Director arrives early enough to set up the room/equipment (keyboard) and then put away at end of evening.
-Direct the choir at, and design activities for, the annual retreats. We have a spring and a fall retreat each year. Our fall retreat tends to be a full Saturday in October at a local home or venue. Our spring retreat tends to be a full weekend at a residential conference or retreat center within driving distance, usually in early March.
-Direct choir at concert performances. Our Winter concert season is generally the first and second weekend in Dec (5 concerts), with an abbreviated, smaller venue concert on the Wednesday evening between. The Spring concerts follow the same pattern in the first half of May. There may, occasionally, be an extra performance or community outreach sing in addition to our regularly scheduled concerts.
-Auditions. Run auditions usually twice a year. Decisions are made with audition committee.
-Work closely with the Program Director and Program committee to select appropriate music, determine the content and order of all concerts.
-Review new compositions by choir members and provide feedback
-Work with Board of Directors Maintain regular communication with the Board.
-Participate in the Artist-in-Residence program

The OCC creates, performs, and promotes choral music composed primarily by its members. Our music reflects a wide range of personal experience and represents the authentic connections we have with one another and the community at large. We mentor and support one another in developing our skills as singers, lyricists and composers. We strive to share a meaningful musical experience with our audience community.