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Artistic Director Job Posting

Position: Artistic Director

 

Purpose of Position: To develop and carry out artistic programming, collaborations, and performances that support and enhance the mission of the organization.

 

Mission: Creating music that inspires, empowers, and entertains. 

 

History: Sistrum Chorus was started in 1986 by a small group of lesbian women with a vision of musical excellence, feminism, and the power of women singing together for social justice. Rachel Alexander, founded and directed the chorus for its first 15 years. Meredith Bowen led the group through its next 15 years, and Meghan Eldred-Woolsey has served as Artistic Director since 2016. 

 

Sistrum is a 501c3 organization that has performed and participated in the Sister Singers Network, the Gay and Lesbian Choral Association (GALA), Michigan Music Conference, the Michigan ACDA Conference, the Choral Music Experience workshop with Doreen Rao, and other regional workshops and festivals. The chorus has recorded two CDs: Sweet Women and Dancing Naked at the Edge of Dawn. In 2016, we traveled to Cuba in collaboration with the Holland Chorale. 

 

Sistrum continued to rehearse virtually through the COVID-19 pandemic and produced several virtual performances. Recently, we presented the Michigan premiere of Dr. Andrea Ramsey’s Suffrage Cantata. Sistrum has also commissioned several original pieces of music—both individually and collaboratively. We have collaborated with LansingOut and other community choruses, local youth choruses, and Voices of the Revolution. 

 

Sistrum believes in creating a musical haven for our singers; in raising our voices together as diverse lesbian, bisexual, heterosexual, queer, and transgender women and gender-expansive people; and in using our community and music to stand for peace, equality, and freedom for all people.

 

Time Commitment: ~400 hours annually, includes evenings and some weekends; 

~5-10 hours a week

 

Supervised by: Board of Directors

 

Salary: Range begins at $10,000 commensurate with experience

 

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Expectations and Responsibilities

 

Musicality/Musicianship

  • Degree in music required, desire to grow required; master’s in choral conducting and experience working with a community-based chorus preferred

  • Supervise and facilitate hiring accompanists and guest musicians as needed; appoint and supervise section leaders 

  • Facilitate ways to learn music outside of rehearsal (including practice tracks/recordings)

  • Lead choral rehearsal once per week, one half-day retreat per semester, and occasional additional rehearsals at the discretion of the board and artistic director for special events

  • Conduct concerts for the chorus, with at least two concert programs per year

  • Develop creative programming from various genres, traditions, and styles with a balance of challenge and audience accessibility

  • Program, conduct, and travel for biannual participation in the Sister Singers Network and GALA festivals. Travel is paid by the chorus.

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Inclusivity/Diversity

  • Embrace Sistrum’s lesbian and feminist roots

  • Support all members/women regardless of background—race, nationality, ability, sexuality, gender identity, religious/spiritual preference

  • Support efforts to increase chorus and programming diversity

  • Support Sistrum’s core belief in the magic and joy of raising our voices together as diverse lesbian, bisexual, heterosexual, queer, transgender women, and gender expansive people

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Community Outreach 

  • Increase opportunities to support our mission and non-profit status through public performances, service, and networking

  • Prepare repertoire for run-out opportunities/special events 

  • Serve as public spokesperson and advocate for the chorus

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Internal community

  • Maintain strong, collaborative relationship with Board of Directors

  • Help build community between singers

  • Consult with chorus committees as needed

  • Facilitate a remote option for rehearsals (Zoom)

  • Mentor assistant conductor. Mentorship may include helping the assistant conductor participate in running regular rehearsals, providing actionable feedback on assistant conductor conducting style, etc. 

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Miscellaneous

  • Participate in long-range planning and programming

  • Demonstrate strong organizational and communication skills, both written and verbal

  • Familiarity with the Google Suite (Google Groups, Google Calendar, Google Drive, etc.), Dropbox, Zoom, or willingness to learn

  • Participate in chorus-supported professional development (e.g., attend workshops and conferences, participate in professional organizations, etc.)

  • Support commissioning projects and recording opportunities

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Application Guidelines
 

To apply, submit the following items electronically to sistrumlansing@gmail.com by January 18, 2026:
 

  • Cover letter

  • CV or résumé

  • Concert program samples

  • Conducting video of a performance, approximately 10-15 minutes

  • Conducting video of a rehearsal, approximately 10-15 minutes


Other supporting videos are also welcome. Large files may be sent by sharing a Google or Dropbox folder.

 

Application Timeline

 

Application deadline — January 18, 2026

Interviews — February 2026

Conducting auditions — March 2026

Offer of employment —May 1, 2026

Public announcement — June 5, 2026

Sister Singers Choral Festival in Chicago — July 8-12, 2026 (paid attendance/participation of the director is expected in collaboration with outgoing director)

Fall 2026 season begins — September 2026

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