General Description

Position Summary:

Peabody Preparatory is seeking a dynamic and visionary Artistic Director and Department Chair for the Peabody Children's Chorus (PCC). This leader will build upon the 35-year legacy of PCC's founding conductor, guiding the program's artistic development while nurturing each student's potential. The ideal candidate will be an accomplished artistic leader with a passion for choral music, a commitment to excellence in youth music education, and strong administrative skills to oversee faculty and staff.

About the Peabody Children's Chorus (PCC):

The Peabody Children's Chorus (PCC), founded in 1990, is a celebrated program that serves over 350 young singers. PCC emphasizes artistic excellence through a varied repertoire and skill-based learning, promoting personal growth and discipline. The chorus performs two major concerts each year, in December and May, and collaborates with esteemed ensembles such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Peabody Symphony Orchestra. Biannual tours have taken PCC to destinations including Italy, France, Germany, Austria, England, Scotland, and Hawaii.

PCC holds weekly rehearsals at various locations in Howard and Baltimore Counties, along with Baltimore City:

• Training Choir: Ages 6-10, 60 mins, M-Th
• Choristers: Ages 10-14, 90 mins, M-Th
• Cantate: Ages 12-18, 120 mins, M, Tu, Th
• Cantus (Tenor-Bass Ensemble): Ages 11-18, 90 mins, Tu & Th
• Chorus Prep classes: Ages 5-9, 45 mins, M   

About the Peabody Preparatory of The Johns Hopkins University: 

Founded in 1894, the Peabody Preparatory has a rich history of cultivating musical talent. With around 2,500 students coming through its doors each week, the school stands as Maryland's leading community institution for music and dance.

The Peabody Preparatory welcomes students of all ages and levels of ability, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can explore and enhance their musical potential. Offerings range from early childhood classes that ignite a lifelong love of music and dance to programs designed for adults and professional dancers and musicians seeking to refine their skills.

Located in downtown Baltimore and sharing a space with the renowned Peabody Conservatory, the Preparatory also extends its reach through four satellite campuses in the communities of Towson, Annapolis, Frederick, and Howard County, MD.

Artistic Duties:

• Artistic Vision & Leadership: Develop and implement an overarching artistic vision for PCC, ensuring the highest quality in all choirs and classes.
• Program Development: Oversee the selection of repertoire, curriculum development, and seasonal planning for concerts and external performances.
• Student Development: Manage student placement, evaluations, and progress reports. Lead auditions and choral assessments.
• Conductor: Serve as Lead Conductor for Cantate, combined choruses, special performances, and oversee international tours.
• Faculty Collaboration: Provide mentorship and guidance to PCC's faculty, ensuring alignment with the program's artistic vision.

Administrative Duties:

• Program Management: Collaborate with Peabody leadership on strategic planning, budgeting, and staffing needs for PCC.
• Faculty & Staff Oversight: Lead faculty and staff searches, training, evaluations, and professional development.
• Communication & Marketing: Work with PCC staff and the Peabody Marketing team to enhance communications, digital presence, and recruitment efforts.
• Performance Oversight: Partner with the Peabody Concert and Ensemble Office to oversee performance logistics, ticketing, and concert programs.
• Leadership: Conduct weekly faculty meetings, serve on the Peabody Preparatory Director's Council, and participate in relevant administrative committees.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Choral Conducting or Music Education.
• 5-7 years of experience conducting children's choirs at a high artistic level.
• Proven expertise in choral pedagogy and repertoire selection.
• Knowledge of diverse choral teaching methods (e.g., Kodály, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Orff).
• Strong organizational and leadership skills, with a demonstrated ability to grow and sustain choral programs.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with an eye for detail.
• Experience in leading faculty teams and fostering professional growth.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strategic planning and budget management experience.
• Proven success in artistic collaborations.
• Experience in commissioning new choral works.
• Active involvement in professional choral organizations.
• Experience managing international tours.

Application Instructions

Applications received before March 15, 2025, will be given preference. Application submission instructions:

• Cover letter, including a summary of your teaching philosophy
• Résumé
• Video recording (no longer than 20 minutes) that includes:
  • A choral rehearsal with elementary, middle, or high school students.
  • A choral performance featuring elementary, middle, or high school students.
• Sample programs or repertoire highlights (if available).
• 2-3 professional references.

Deadline for Priority Consideration: March 31, 2025 (Position will remain open until filled).

1st Round Interviews: March 15- April 15, 2025

In-Person Conducting Interviews: March 31- April 30, 2025

Anticipated Start Date: July 15, 2025

About Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University remains committed to its founding principle, that education for all students should be grounded in exploration and discovery. Hopkins students are challenged not just to learn but also to advance learning itself. Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and entrepreneurship are all encouraged and nourished in this unique educational environment. After more than 130 years, Johns Hopkins remains a world leader in both teaching and research. Faculty members and their research colleagues at the university's Applied Physics Laboratory have each year since 1979 won Johns Hopkins more federal research and development funding than any other university. The university has nine academic divisions and campuses throughout the Baltimore-Washington area. The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the Whiting School of Engineering, the School of Education and the Carey Business School are based at the Homewood campus in northern Baltimore. The schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing share a campus in east Baltimore with The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The Peabody Institute, a leading professional school of music, is located on Mount Vernon Place in downtown Bal...timore. The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies is located in Washington's Dupont Circle area.

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