Jacksonville Children's Chorus
Sistrum Chorus (Lansing, MI)
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.
Sistrum's Mission:
Creating music that inspires, empowers, and entertains.
Sistrum's 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. Dr. 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 (SSN), the Gay and Lesbian Choral Association (GALA), Michigan Music Conference (MMC), the Michigan ACDA Conference, the Choral Music Experience workshop with Doreen Rao, and other regional workshops and festivals. The chorus has recorded two albums: Sweet Women and Dancing Naked at the Edge of Dawn. In 2016, Sistrum traveled to Cuba in collaboration with the Holland Chorale.
Sistrum continued to rehearse virtually through the COVID-19 pandemic and produced several virtual performances. In January 2025, Sistrum 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 routinely collaborate with LansingOut and other community choruses, local youth choruses, and Voices of the Revolution (a local collective of feminist poets).
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.
Expectations and Responsibilities Time Commitment:
~400 hours annually, including evenings and some weekends; ~5-10 hours a week
Supervised by:
Sistrum Board of Directors
Salary:
Range begins at $10,000, commensurate with experience
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 SSN and GALA festivals. Travel is paid by the chorus.
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
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
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.
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
Application Guidelines Submit the following items to the provided email by January 18, 2026:
Cover letter
CV or résumé
Previous 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 Network (SSN) 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
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Artistic Director Purpose of Position:
To develop and carry out artistic programming, collaborations, and performances that support and enhance the mission of the organization.
Sistrum's Mission:
Creating music that inspires, empowers, and entertains.
Sistrum's 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. Dr. 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 (SSN), the Gay and Lesbian Choral Association (GALA), Michigan Music Conference (MMC), the Michigan ACDA Conference, the Choral Music Experience workshop with Doreen Rao, and other regional workshops and festivals. The chorus has recorded two albums: Sweet Women and Dancing Naked at the Edge of Dawn. In 2016, Sistrum traveled to Cuba in collaboration with the Holland Chorale.
Sistrum continued to rehearse virtually through the COVID-19 pandemic and produced several virtual performances. In January 2025, Sistrum 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 routinely collaborate with LansingOut and other community choruses, local youth choruses, and Voices of the Revolution (a local collective of feminist poets).
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.
Expectations and Responsibilities Time Commitment:
~400 hours annually, including evenings and some weekends; ~5-10 hours a week
Supervised by:
Sistrum Board of Directors
Salary:
Range begins at $10,000, commensurate with experience
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 SSN and GALA festivals. Travel is paid by the chorus.
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
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
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.
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
Application Guidelines Submit the following items to the provided email by January 18, 2026:
Cover letter
CV or résumé
Previous 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 Network (SSN) 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
#J-18808-Ljbffr