Director of Choirs, Expanded Education

The New England Conservatory (NEC) stands as a prestigious educational institution with a rich musical legacy. Founded in 1867, NEC has become a global leader in music education, offering a diverse range of programs spanning classical, jazz, and contemporary music. Nestled in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, NEC's historic campus is a hub of artistic inspiration. Boasting a renowned faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, including the iconic Jordan Hall, the conservatory provides an immersive and transformative experience for its students. NEC's commitment to excellence extends beyond its walls, contributing significantly to Boston's cultural landscape. Emphasizing both tradition and innovation, NEC cultivates a dynamic community where aspiring musicians can flourish creatively while fostering a deep appreciation for the rich tapestry of musical expression.

The Expanded Education department was created in 2022 to support non-degree programs and learning opportunities provided by the institution. Expanded Education (EE) consists of the Preparatory School (NEC Prep), Adult Education (AE), and Summer Programs. Made available to a dynamic variety of musicians spanning every age, ability level, and geographical location around the world, we welcome musicians with interest in classical, jazz, and contemporary musical backgrounds and those wanting to explore music in novel contexts and in cross-disciplinary ways. For the aspiring musician, NEC prepares students with a versatile skill set that reflects our rapidly evolving musical world.

Founding Conductor, BSO x NEC Honors Children’s Choir 
This is a full-time staff leadership role within Expanded Education. While the position includes significant conducting responsibilities, it is not an adjunct or faculty-only appointment.

About New England Conservatory & Expanded Education

New England Conservatory (NEC) is a leading institution dedicated to musical excellence, artistic innovation, and access to transformative education. NEC’s Expanded Education (EE) division encompasses pre-college, youth, adult, and lifelong learning programs and serves as a critical pathway into conservatory-level study and engagement.

Expanded Education choirs currently consist of 4 ensembles from ages 4 to 18: Little Penguins Prep Chorus, Children's Choir, Chamber Chorus, and Youth Chorale. These groups serve 50 students with the goal of expanding to 150-200 within the next 2-3 years.

In collaboration with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), NEC is launching a new honors-level treble ensemble for students aged 8–13 (with unchanged voices). This ensemble emphasizes healthy vocal development through the adolescent voice change and serves as a cornerstone of a broader, intentional choral pathway within Expanded Education. Singers will remain actively engaged in their home choirs while coming together from leading organizations across Greater Boston to form this honors ensemble, strengthening connections throughout the region’s choral community. 

Position Summary

New England Conservatory seeks an exceptional choral conductor, vocalist, educator, and organizational leader to serve as Director of Choirs within Expanded Education. This is a full-time staff leadership role with responsibility for the artistic, pedagogical, administrative, and strategic oversight of NEC’s Expanded Education choral programs.

The position includes serving as Founding Conductor of the BSO x NEC Honors Children’s Choir and acting as the primary liaison to Boston Symphony Orchestra choral leadership. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in the transitioning adolescent voice, strong recruitment and relationship-building skills, and the ability to lead complex programs with clarity, care, and excellence. In addition, the Director of Choirs will serve as the Choral Department Chair, serving on the EE Faculty Council.

Primary Responsibilities

Artistic & Pedagogical Leadership

This position oversees all choral ensembles for Expanded Education. Conducting opportunities beyond the BSO x NEC Honors Children’s Choir will likely include Chamber Chorus (Grades 5-8) and Youth Chorale (Grades 9-12), but will be determined based on the chosen candidate's credentials. 

• Serve as founding director of the BSO x NEC Honors Children’s Choir (ages 8–13; with unchanged voices)

• Serve as Conductor/Music Director of Chamber Chorus (Grades 5-8) and Youth Chorale (Grades 9-12), based on chosen candidate's credentials

• Demonstrate advanced expertise in adolescent vocal development and the transitioning voice, including repertoire selection and rehearsal pacing

• Apply principles of vocal pedagogy to ensemble rehearsal and long-term singer development

• Select and prepare repertoire that reflects artistic excellence, developmental appropriateness, and stylistic breadth

• Prepare ensembles for performances, collaborations, and potential BSO-affiliated projects

• Develop curricula for workshops and weekly ensemble rehearsals

Program Leadership & Oversight

• Serve as the EE Choir Department Chair; member of EE Faculty Council and EE Education Team

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Expanded Education choral landscape, ensuring coherence, quality, and alignment across all choral ensembles and age groups, and managing conductors within the department

• Collaborate with EE leadership on program design, long-term planning and growth

• Support the development of clear choral pathways from middle school through high school and beyond, including overseeing the continued development of a strong feeder program for ages 4-8

• Contribute to the assessment, evaluation, and continuous improvement of EE choirs 

Program Launch & Signature Events

• Collaborate with Expanded Education leadership, Enrollment, Operations, and BSO staff to ensure a successful and high-profile treble program launch

• Recruitment for all choral ensembles, ensuring adequate enrollment in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Enrollment

• Advocate and execute annual opportunities to showcase the department
  

Institutional & External Collaboration

• Serve as primary liaison to Boston Symphony Orchestra choral leadership, fostering alignment, communication, and shared artistic standards

• Connect with choral programs across Boston to create connections and pipeline Alliance programs and opportunities for visibility 

• Work collaboratively with NEC faculty, Expanded Education leadership, Enrollment, Marketing & Communications, and Operations teams

• Represent NEC and the BSO x NEC Alliance with professionalism in public settings, including auditions, performances, recruitment events, and community engagements

Recruitment, Outreach & Enrollment Partnership

• Take an active role in recruiting and retaining singers in a highly competitive youth arts environment

• Serve as an artistic ambassador for NEC and EE choral programs in interactions with prospective students, families, educators, and community partners

• Partner with Enrollment and Marketing teams on recruitment strategy, auditions, yield, and pathway development

• Participate in auditions, placement decisions, information sessions, school visits, and outreach initiatives as appropriate

• Communicate clearly and thoughtfully with families regarding expectations, placement, and developmental progression

Administration & Operations

• Demonstrate excellent to superior organizational and administrative skills, including planning, scheduling, documentation, and communication

• Support audition processes, enrollment management, rehearsal logistics, performance coordination, and program operations

• Maintain timely, clear communication with students, families, and institutional partners

• Contribute to budgeting, staffing considerations, and operational planning as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated success as a choral conductor working with middle school and/or early high school singers, particularly through voice change

• Advanced knowledge of transitioning adolescent vocal pedagogy

• Strong command of IPA for singers and a working knowledge of languages commonly used in choral repertoire

• Proven ability to lead programs with professionalism, organization, and follow-through

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across artistic and institutional contexts
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in vocal pedagogy or voice science (formal training or applied experience)

• Experience overseeing multiple ensembles or educational programs

• Familiarity with conservatory, pre-professional, or high-level youth arts environments

• Experience working with or alongside major performing arts institutions or professional orchestras

Please note: There is no guarantee of an applied voice studio. Candidates with vocal pedagogy expertise are encouraged to describe how that knowledge informs their ensemble and educational work.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate:

• Treats changing voices as a specialty and strength, not a challenge

• Balances artistic authority with developmental sensitivity and care

• Is energized by program-building, recruitment, and collaboration, not solely podium work

• Communicates effectively with students, families, faculty, and institutional partners

• Understands the importance of language, identity, and belonging for adolescent singers

Application Materials

Applicants should submit the following materials:

1. Cover Letter
   Addressing relevant experience and interest in a full-time staff leadership role within Expanded Education, including alignment with the artistic, pedagogical, administrative, and recruitment responsibilities of the position.

2. Curriculum Vitae or Résumé

3. Statement of Choral & Vocal Pedagogy
   A brief written statement outlining the candidate’s approach to choral instruction, with particular attention to:

   • The transitioning adolescent voice (ages 8-13)

   • Healthy vocal development and rehearsal strategies

   • Ensemble culture, identity, and developmental appropriateness

4. Video Submissions
   Applicants must submit the following video materials:

   • Concert Conducting Video (10 minutes)
     A front-facing video of the candidate conducting a concert performance with singers ages 8-13. The camera should clearly capture the conductor throughout the excerpt.

   • Ensemble Instruction / Rehearsal Video (8–10 minutes maximum)
     A front-facing video of the candidate working with an ensemble in a classroom or rehearsal setting, also with singers ages 8-13, demonstrating rehearsal technique, vocal instruction, and communication with developing voices.

   • Solo Art Song Performance (one selection)
     A short video of the candidate singing one art song, solo, in a language of the candidate’s choice, demonstrating musicianship, diction, and stylistic understanding, preferably with piano accompaniment.

If candidates do not currently work with a grades 6–9 ensemble, they may submit comparable footage with singers at a similar developmental stage and briefly contextualize the submission in their cover letter. 

Videos should be unedited or minimally edited and reflect the candidate’s typical working environment. High production value is not required.

NEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

Annual Clery Report

In accordance with the federal Clery and Campus SaVE Acts, New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) commits to providing all current and prospective students and employees with access to the annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report. This report will provide the reader with a record of statistics regarding crimes that were reported in the NEC community during the previous three years as well as College policies and procedures, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. This report may be accessed here. A paper copy can be requested by contacting NEC's Director of Public Safety at 290 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115.