Description

Position Summary

The Artistic Director (AD) is responsible for envisioning and planning EGMC’s annual concert season which runs from September through June, collaborating with musical and production teams to execute those concerts, and coordinating with the Board on fiscal matters related to the season. The AD is the primary Chorus conductor for rehearsals and performances. The AD is also responsible for auditioning new members as well as ongoing voice, musicianship, and performance instruction for singing members to continuously improve and elevate EGMC’s performances.

The artistic vision of the AD invites audiences into a powerful musical journey inspired by the LGBTQ+ community’s past, present, and future. In musical movements from the serious and introspective, to the joyous and fully camp, the AD’s concert programming and musical interpretation tells a story and affirms the enduring strength of shared voices raised in song as activism.

Organization Summary

The Eugene Gay Men’s Chorus (EGMC) is a community who seek to uplift and create LGBTQ+ visibility, community, and celebration through choral singing and musical arts. All are welcome who can sing in the TTBB vocal range. Founded in 2018, EGMC has 60+ singing members, with 45-50 singers on average performing in our December, March, and June ticketed concerts. EGMC’s acapella ensemble group, Intersections, has 12-16 members and performs 2-3 songs at each concert.

In addition to our regular season, EGMC collaborates with other area and regional choruses for performances and participates in outreach opportunities, such as performing in Eugene/Springfield Pride, HIV Alliance fundraisers, and World AIDS Day. EGMC is part of the GALA family of choruses and plans to attend the next national festival in Minneapolis scheduled for July 2028.

EGMC is a 501(c)3 non-profit with a Board of Directors comprised of elected officers from members of the chorus and community. Much of the organization’s production, communications, fundraising, and other activities are supported through a robust pool of volunteers from the chorus and Eugene community, assisted by a few part-time contract staff. The Artistic Director is currently the only direct employee of the organization.  

Located in the southern Willamette Valley, two hours from Portland and one hour from the Oregon coast, Eugene is a queer-friendly, bike-friendly, progressive city (pop. 178,000) and home to the University of Oregon (go Ducks!). Known for our arts culture and the outdoors, Eugene is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S.

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities

Programming and Artistic Leadership

• Foster an inclusive, affirming environment aligned with EGMC’s values. 
• Design seasonal programming that supports the mission and engages audiences.
• Create the theme, artistic direction of, and content of all musical performances in consultation with the Board and collaboration with Production team. 
• Select full Chorus and Intersections music for all performances and cause music, practice tracks, and other necessary resources to be ordered in time for rehearsal schedules.
• Seek out and hire musical accompanists, substitute conductors, and musical artists as needed for rehearsals and performances.
• Conduct the chorus at all rehearsals and performances.
• Write narrative as needed for concert projects.

Rehearsals and Singer Development

• Establish rehearsal schedules and performance dates sufficient to prepare the performing members, the full Chorus and Intersections, for performances.
• Plan and implement gender-inclusive voice, musicianship, and/or performance instruction through Class Voice sessions and/or during regular rehearsals, to be offered a minimum of twice per month from September to June each year.
• Communicate with the Chorus on matters of rehearsals, auditions, performance, and other relevant logistical and artistic matters.
• Audition interested parties for admission to the Chorus three times per year, before the start of each term.
• Create a safe and welcoming environment for all.

Community Engagement and Visibility

• Network with arts organizations and community groups to elevate the Chorus’s presence.
• Collaborate with regional choruses, support community engagement performances, and align artistic work with outreach goals.
• Participate in community relations activities to support the Chorus and promote performances.
• Conduct oneself with respect and kindness to Chorus, the Board, and community relations, and uphold all EGMC policies, procedures, and expectations in such regard.

Development and Administrative Duties

• Inform the Board of all monetary needs related to music purchase, use of musical accompanists, and other expenses related to the conduct of the Chorus performances to include these expenses in budgetary documents.
• Advise the Board on matters related to equipment, music, venues, community opportunities to perform, connections to other like-minded choruses, and similar issues that enable the Board to plan for sufficient resources to support these matters.
• Attend the Board meetings as an ex-officio (non-voting) member and advise on artistic decisions and support decisions made by the Board to the Chorus.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Board to promote the Chorus and support the Board in the pursuit of EGMC’s mission and vision.

Professional Development

• Participate in professional organizations:  American Choral Director’s Association, GALA, Chorus America, etc.
• Maintain and update professional competence by attending workshops, classes and conferences.
• Review new choral works and recordings; stay current with professional journals.
• Attend concerts of other choral organizations.