Assistant Director and Accompanist | The Cathedral Choir School of Delaware, Wilmington, DE

The Cathedral Choir School of Delaware, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides
professional musical training, leadership development, language skills,
academic support and mentoring in an intergenerational environment for youth
in Wilmington, Delaware, and the surrounding region. Choir School staff and
volunteers serve as advocates for these students to help guide them to
success in academic, music and social endeavors.

The ADA is a skilled musician who provides organ and piano accompaniment for
the Cathedral Choir as led and conducted by the Director of Music and
Operations (DMO). The ADA reports directly to the DMO.  This individual will
work as a team member to build a nurturing choral community with an emphasis
on a holistic arts education that combines choral music, piano instruction,
one-on-one mentoring, academics and life skills. The choristers of the
Cathedral Choir are trained in a supportive, intergenerational environment
where they perform alongside professional and semi-professional adult
singers.

The ADA is responsible for the basic musicianship curricula that all
choristers are required to complete. This curriculum is crafted based on the
needs of each individual chorister and will include piano instruction as a
means to building strong sight-singers and choral musicians. The skills that
choristers acquire include: sight-singing (with solfeggio syllables and
numbers), basic piano proficiency and finely tuned intonation. All of this
instruction takes place in the context of the choral setting. Advanced
choristers extend their musicianship curricula to include piano instruction
where they acquire the skills, discipline and precision to perform piano
works from the piano repertoire. This canon of repertoire is representative
of the Masterworks, though it is also inclusive of works composed in
contrasting styles and eras by lesser known and more modern composers. In
addition to accompanying rehearsals and teaching lessons, the ADA will work
with the DMO to coordinate logistics associated with the performances of the
Choir.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

In Relation to Assistant Directing and Accompanying:

1.    Meet regularly with the DMO for planning purposes
2.    Assist and facilitate the planning of the Choir’s annual repertoire
3.    Conducting and scheduling “hearings” for potential Choristers
4.    Coordinate logistics and fine details of the choir’s singing engagements
a.    Plan with host Music Directors organ music and playing duties
b.    Arrange for vestments and other inventory to be transported to events
c.    Communication with adult singers and Choral Scholars for upcoming events
5.    Accompany evening rehearsals and weekly singing engagements
6.    Facilitate rehearsal of the ensemble in the absence of the DMO
7.    Practice regularly to maintain musical excellence and integrity
8.    Develop and manage infrastructure for the Choral Library
9.    Order sheet music for performances
10.    Mange the preparation of music folders
11.    Manage Head Choristers
12.    Manage the use and storage of vestments and chorister uniforms
13.    Manage storage facilities related to the Choral Library, vestments,
uniforms, and instruments
14.    Coordinate student transportation needs (for performances)
15.    Drive Choir School van as needed
16.    Provide general support for the DMO
17.    Attend continuing education activities relevant to choral, keyboard and
administrative duties and join appropriate professional organizations
18.    Inventory and maintain CCSD instruments
19.    Manage Chorister stipends and standards
20.    Assist with web-based development projects
21.    Assist with Choral Scholar auditions and interviews
22.    Create publicity for weekly performances
23.    Maintain online calendars for Events and for Choristers/Families
24.    Oversee attendance for Choristers, Adults and Choral Scholars
25.    Execute Choral Scholar and Instrumentalist payroll
26.    Plan and facilitate Summer Camp music curriculum

In Relation to Piano Instruction:

1.    Enthusiastically facilitate musicianship lessons
2.    Cultivate musicianship skills that focus on sight-singing, piano
proficiency and intonation
3.    Teach solfeggio syllables as a means of sight-singing, while integrating
basic piano techniques and  fundamentals
4.    Foster a positive and fun learning environment for choristers
5.    Provide monthly feedback via progress report on the progress of each
chorister
6.    Maintain a weekly log of musicianship lessons and piano lessons
7.    Manage and support volunteers working in piano lab
8.    Manage digital piano assigned to Choristers

General Administration:

1.    Help staff plan and lead events and programs
2.    Promote the mission and vision of the Choir School and its programs with
families, volunteers, staff, other organizations and the general public.
3.    Help review and update Parent and Student Handbook/Contracts and
Permissions.
4.    Proofread materials before publication (particularly programs and
leaflets)
5.    Provide material for newsletters, articles, social media and other
communications
6.    Assist with other Choir School administrative tasks, as needed
7.    Develop collegial relationships with staff
8.    Attend staff meetings and other discussions related to Choir School
administration
9.    Assist the staff with the planning, management and facilitation of Summer
Camp

Musical Competencies:

1.    Ability to perform accompaniments and solo works of a wide range of
styles, on both the organ and the piano
2.    Sight read hymns and anthem accompaniments
3.    Play four-part open choral scores for rehearsal
4.    Accompany hymns, service music, and psalmody in a manner that enhances
congregational and choral participation
5.    Basic improvisation skills and keyboard harmony skills such as modulation,
harmonization, and transposition
6.    Interpret and follow a conductor
7.    Strong working knowledge of liturgical services, especially of the
Anglican tradition
8.    Strong working knowledge of solfeggio and number sight-singing methods
9.    Excellent aural skills with an ear for error detection in thick choral
textures
10.    Basic conducting skills

Qualifications:

1.    Bachelor’s in organ and/or piano performance, music education or sacred
music is required
2.    Works well with children and adults
3.    Can take direction and function as part of a team
4.    Is reliable and trustworthy
5.    Displays patience and flexibility
6.    Is creative and motivated
7.    Exudes positive energy
8.    Is organized and able to multitask

Weekly Hours: 40 hours, Fulltime. Salaried. Benefits.

Contact: Arreon Harley, Director of Music and Operations, aharley@ccsde.org.

Contact Email: aharley@ccsde.org