Choir Director (Grades 5–12)

Job Title:

Choir Director (Grades 5–12) (the “Director”)

Department:

High School, Middle School

Reports to:

Section Leader

Classification:

Part-Time Faculty Position, 2026–2027 School Year

Compensation:

Depends on Qualifications and Experience

Position Purpose
The Choir Director guides students in grades 5–12 in developing musicality, vocal technique, artistic expression, and ensemble awareness through choral singing. Teaching is grounded in a developmental and experiential approach that emphasizes listening, imitation, harmony, breath, movement, and the deep human capacity for musical connection.

Working across upper elementary, middle school, and high school divisions, the Choir Director cultivates a joyful and disciplined ensemble culture that supports both individual growth and collective artistry. Choir serves not only as a musical experience, but as a vital space for building community, social awareness, collaboration, confidence, and shared purpose.

Teaching is rooted in an anthroposophical understanding of human development and Waldorf music pedagogy, supporting students’ evolving relationship to voice, self-expression, and group belonging through childhood and adolescence. The responsibilities listed herein are not exhaustive and other duties and responsibilities are required.

Teaching Responsibilities
The Director must be able to perform the responsibilities and duties shown herein with or without reasonable accommodation.

Choral Instruction

Teach choir for students in grades 5–12, including:

5th & 6th Grade Choir

Middle School Choir (Grades 7–8)

High School Choir (Grades 9–12)

Work with students of mixed experience and ability levels within each ensemble

Design and lead rehearsals that integrate:

Vocal technique and healthy voice development

Pitch, tone, and blend

Rhythm and musical phrasing

Harmony and part-singing

Breath, posture, and listening skills

Build students’ confidence in singing individually and as part of an ensemble

Select repertoire that is developmentally appropriate, musically rich, and culturally diverse

Foster musical literacy and increasing independence appropriate to each age group

Ensemble & Community Building

Cultivate a strong, inclusive, and supportive ensemble culture

Use choral singing as a means of developing:

Listening skills

Social awareness and collaboration

Responsibility to the group

Confidence, presence, and self-expression

Support students in navigating the vulnerability and courage inherent in singing

Inspire students to discover joy in music-making and a meaningful relationship to practice and performance

Pedagogical Approach

Teach out of an anthroposophical understanding of human development and the role of music in education

Emphasize learning through imitation, repetition, embodiment, and lived musical experience

Introduce musical elements experientially before formal analysis

Support students’ progression from unison singing toward increasingly complex harmonic and polyphonic work

Integrate movement, gesture, and breath as foundational aspects of musical expression

Foster reverence for music as a deeply human and cultural art form

Balance discipline and joy, supporting both musical excellence and healthy community life

Performances & Program Responsibilities

Prepare and lead choirs for concerts, festivals, assemblies, and community events throughout the school year

Collaborate with faculty to support seasonal festivals and performances

Help shape and sustain a coherent, developmentally appropriate choral program across grades 5–12

Communicate performance expectations, rehearsal schedules, and event information clearly with students and families

Provide student reports and assessments as required by the school

Maintain organized repertoire, sheet music, and rehearsal materials

Post syllabi, repertoire, and assignments using the school’s learning platform, as appropriate

Collegial & Community Responsibilities

Collaborate with class teachers, middle school faculty, and high school faculty

Participate in relevant faculty meetings and professional development opportunities appropriate to the role

Contribute to the cultural and artistic life of the school through music and performance

Support school events such as assemblies, festivals, open houses, and concerts

Represent the choir program and the school professionally to families and the wider community

Participate in ongoing curriculum development and collaborative planning where appropriate

Operational & Professional Expectations

Maintain a regular and reliable on-campus presence aligned with the teaching schedule

Communicate promptly and professionally with students, families, and colleagues

Demonstrate proficiency with Google Workspace and familiarity with learning management systems

Maintain organized rehearsal spaces and musical materials

Support classroom and rehearsal environments characterized by order, beauty, respect, and care

Report health and safety concerns promptly

Act professionally at all times and contribute positively to a strong, collaborative faculty culture

Qualifications & Experience
Required or Strongly Preferred:

Bachelor’s degree in Music, Music Education, Choral Conducting, or a related field

Strong singing ability and significant choral/vocal experience

Experience directing choirs or vocal ensembles with children and/or adolescents

Strong conducting and rehearsal leadership skills

Ability to work effectively with mixed-ability ensembles

Strong classroom management and organizational skills

Interest in or openness toward Waldorf education and developmental pedagogy

Highly Valued:

Waldorf teacher training or experience in Waldorf schools

Experience working across a wide developmental age range

Ability to accompany rehearsals or basic piano skills

Experience preparing ensembles for performance

Familiarity with adolescent development and ensemble-based community building

Experience using learning platforms such as Canvas or Google Classroom

We are seeking an energetic, creative, and collaborative musician who can inspire young people to find joy, connection, discipline, and meaning through singing together.

Physical and Mental Requirements
The Director must meet the following mental and physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

The ability to learn, understand, remember, and communicate effectively information about the job.

The ability to understand the meaning of and use and speak words understandably and effectively in the English language.

Good hearing and listening abilities, that is, the Director must be able to hear spoken words from students, parents, co‑workers, and others.

Good motor coordination skills, that is, the ability to coordinate his or her eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately in order to handle precise movements such as directing music.

Make and use repetitive hand motions over an extended period, as when directing music.

Work effectively under pressure and deadlines.

Sit, stand, move around, bend, reach, grasp, stretch, push and pull, and remain sitting or upright for extended periods of time in one room.

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