Children’s Choir Director
/ORGANIZATION:
Vancouver Extracurricular Music Society
DEADLINE:
Aug. 15, 2025
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
VEMS is a BC non-profit Society with federal charitable status. VEMS is dedicated to bringing more music to more children in Vancouver schools.
WEBSITE:
http://vems.ca/about
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Provide a choral program that is joyful, inclusive, safe, and fun. All children are welcome; there are no auditions. Many students may not have sung in a choir before or read music. The Choir Director’s job is to introduce the joy of singing together to young people. Rehearsals occur at individual school locations.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Choose repertoire for each term that reflects the school community and is appropriate for the singers (VEMS does have a music library of material that's been "road tested")
Learn the music so that you can easily sing it to the children
Prepare sheet music with piano and melody lines for accompanists
Make folders of music for singers
Take weekly attendance and learn children's names
Be punctual
Run weekly rehearsals
Plan and program short concerts/demonstrations for parents each term – this may include an after-school concert, an assembly where the choir sings for their school, a field trip where the choir sings out in the community
Liaise with the Parent Choir coordinator and Principal
Communicate via e-mail to parents regarding performances
Follow all public health and safety guidelines
Ensure children are safe, particularly at the end of rehearsal
Coordinate with afterschool care as needed, depending on the school
QUALIFICATIONS:
A bachelor's degree in music or in the process of acquiring said degree
Must be able to read music so that you can prepare music for accompanists
Musical training in voice (ability to sing in a variety of languages is an asset)
Can sing a cappella to children – in their range – and have them sing back
Understanding of vocal pedagogy
Experience singing in choirs
Enjoys working with children
Patient, organized, with a sense of humour
Good written and verbal communication skills
Criminal background check (you will be provided information on how to obtain it)
Comfortable using MuseScore or Sibelius software is an asset
Understands how to work with accompanists and rehearsal assistants
HOW TO APPLY:
Please direct all inquiries by email to president@vems.ca including your musical resume and contact information.
REMUNERATION:
$80 per rehearsal
