Artistic Director

Masterworks Choral Ensemble is seeking our next Artistic Director. 

Currently celebrating its 40th anniversary season in 2022 - 2023, MCE is an auditioned 65+ voice ensemble. The chorus rehearses late August through mid-June on Tuesday evenings and presents an annual series of concerts - one in October, December, April, and June as well as community outreach performances. Rehearsals take place at First United Methodist Church of Olympia. Performances take place at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. More information about the chorus can be found at www.mce.org. 

In addition to retiring director Gary Witley, the choir’s current staff includes Business Manager Victoria Montrose, Accompanist Angi Swan, Assistant Accompanist Kyrie Benson and Webmaster/Graphic Designer Jill Carter. The choir is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a 12-member Board of Directors. 

The Artistic Director provides overall artistic leadership and direction to Masterworks Choral Ensemble and oversees the artistic health and growth of the choir in accordance with the organization’s mission, vision and operating budget.  

The following are the primary duties and responsibilities of the Artistic Director.

• Provide artistic leadership and direction

• Teach vocal technique and music theory with warm-ups and with related connection to concert music

• Provide historical context and analysis of music as appropriate

• Create an annual performance schedule, including rehearsal schedules

• Create and maintain potential repertoire options and ideas and submit theme/repertoires suggestions to Board of Directors

• Select choral music and set program order for every concert

• Select and supervise rehearsal and performance accompanist and assistant accompanist

• Compose or arrange music as needed

• Review selected music to determine artistic performance decisions and communicate decisions with the choir

• Conduct choral performances and weekly choral rehearsals

• Collaborate to produce season content to be published on website, as needed

• Create performance staging

• Promote and support a small ensemble within MCE, as well as solo and small group opportunities

• Conduct auditions for the choir

• Work with the Board of Directors to subcontract with other performance groups as needed, or secure local instrumentalists or soloists

• Assist with the organization and coordination of the annual Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival

• Attend all monthly Board of Directors’ meetings and provide a report

• Broaden the involvement of the choir in the community by serving as a spokesperson and liaison on behalf of the choir

Desired Skills and Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Music or equivalent experience is required

• High level of training in choral conducting in the community setting

• Expertise in vocal technique and choral diction

• Thorough knowledge of, and familiarity with, a diverse range of choral repertoire

• Ability to help the choir reach its music potential through high rehearsal standards and empathetic leadership

• Experience in orchestral conducting a bonus

• Experience in arranging choral music a bonus