Waukesha Choral Union
Waukesha Choral Union
 
 Information Relative to Search for
 
New Musical Director

Background

The Waukesha Choral Union (WCU) is the longest-standing, auditioned community choir in Waukesha County.  Mr. Greg Carpenter has been the Musical Director (MD) of the organization for the last ten years, and has announced that he will retire as MD of the WCU at the end of the 2008 spring semester.  Accordingly, the WCU is now seeking to find a qualified individual to replace Mr. Carpenter for the 2008-2009 season.

A brief recap of the 2007-2008 season may give any interested party an idea of the scope of the organizations choral efforts:
     During the fall semester the group is performing a total of three concerts—at its “Collaboration Concert” on October 28 it performed Schubert’s Mass in G, and Rutter’s Mass of the Children in collaboration with the Carroll College concert choir and the Children’s Choir of Waukesha—it will perform a “Lessons and Carols” concert twice (once on Dec 7 and once on Dec 9.)  Preparation for these concerts involved a total of 17 rehearsals.
     During the spring semester the group will perform two concerts — its annual community sing-along “Messiah/Creation” concert on March 9, and a concert on May 4, 2008 where the featured work will be Mozart’s Requiem.  Preparation for these concerts will include a total of 18 rehearsals.

For the last two seasons regular rehearsals have been held on Tuesday evenings at Waukesha South High school from 7:30-9:30 pm.  Traditionally, the rehearsals had been from 7:00-9:30 pm with a 15-20 minute break.  More general information about the WCU can be obtained by browsing through the rest of this website.

Job Description

The Musical Director (MD) is hired by and reports to the Waukesha Choral Union (WCU) Board of Directors (the “Board”) and serves as an ex-officio member of the Board.  The MD represents the WCU in the artistic community, to the public, and to other groups external to the operation of the WCU.

The MD is responsible for carrying out all policies and objectives established by the Board and is primarily responsible for conducting the WCU, reporting on the WCU activities to the Board, and providing direction in order to maintain and enhance the vitality of the WCU within the greater Waukesha community.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:

  1. The MD shall employ his/her talents to develop the best musical efforts of the WCU, and shall have final responsibility for artistic decisions involving the WCU within the parameters set by the Board;
  2. The MD shall determine in a timely fashion the repertoire, programs, soloists, and orchestra for the subscription season (including the spring Messiah/Creation concert), subject to the approval of the Board;
  3. The MD shall be responsible for and in attendance at:
    1. weekly rehearsals of the WCU
    2. dress rehearsals
    3. all subscription performances; and
    4. occasional outreach and/or fund raising performances.
  4. The MD shall audition new WCU members, and determine their suitability for membership in the organization;
  5. The MD shall work closely with the Operations Committee and the Board to establish the basic conditions necessary for performances to occur, including scheduling of rehearsals, dress rehearsals and performances, and establishing locations for rehearsals and performances, as well as obtaining necessary musical scores;
  6. The MD shall analyze and evaluate all WCU programs and activities, reporting results and observations, and advising the Board on a regular basis;
  7. The MD shall oversee WCU membership development, including making recommendations to the Board and working in conjunction with the Membership Committee to attract new members and to improve the quality of members’ vocal performances.
  8. The MD shall assist the Board in selecting and hiring accompanists and any other paid staff that may become necessary from time to time;
  9. The MD shall attend WCU Board meetings whenever possible, and, in particular, shall be a key participant in the annual budget meeting as well as in any long-range planning activities.

Application Process

Please send your application to:

Waukesha Choral Union Search Committee
c/o Tom Custis
803 Knollwood Ct.
Waukesha, WI 53188


Your application should include the following:
  1. Your resume
  2. A representative list of significant choral works you have conducted
  3. Contact information for at least two references
  4. Salary requirements or expectations
  5. Brief statements in response to the following questions—
    1. Are you committed to the greater Waukesha Community?
    2. Why do you want this position?
    3. Why do you believe that you would be a good choice for the WCU?
    4. Which, if any, of your current commitments would you drop if you were selected for this position?
  6. If available, a recording of a concert that you directed, preferably a DVD with video and audio.

Selection Process

The WCU has established a Search Committee made up of members of the Board and singing members of the WCU.  The committee will review all applications submitted, and from those will select up to six semi-finalists.  Semi-finalists will be invited to a face-to-face interview with members of the committee.  Following the interview process up to three finalists will be selected.  Each of the finalists will be invited to audition by conducting a rehearsal of the WCU during February 2008.  Additionally, one or more members of the committee may sit in on a rehearsal of the candidate’s current choral group.  Results of these audition/observation sessions will be evaluated, and will weigh heavily in the final selection.  The committee expects to complete its evaluation and make a recommendation to the Board prior to its meeting on March 24, 2008 at which time the Board is expected to make its final decision.

Questions or Further Information

If you are interested, but have questions that are not covered in this material you may contact Tom Custis  at the address shown above or at (262) 549-4863  or at  tcustis@wi.rr.com.