Saengerfest 2026 Artistic Director – Search Committee Page

For reference: Some Saengerfest history –
Photos
Saengerfest Culture
Program Covers
Job Posting Text
About the Chorus
Job Requirements
Compensation

Suggested Search Timeline

January 16 (following Jan 15 board meeting)

  • Max emails chorus announcement, at Jan 20 rehearsal

by January 27

  • Assemble search committee + chair of search committee
  • Post listing on:
    • Saengerfest website
    • Facebook “Boston Choral Freelancers” page 
    • Email to Greater Boston Choral Consortium list serv
    • Hire Culture (.org)
    • ACDA
    • ChoralNet
  • Make submissions due by March 1, 2026

by March 1 (or sooner; on a rolling basis, as applications come in)

  • Contact interested candidates and set virtual interviews with # of candidates

by March 1

  • Invite interested candidates to work with the group for 45 minutes each
    • Introduce themselves, warm up the choir, rehearse Testament of Freedom
  • 2 candidates per rehearsal: 1 on each half, separated by a break, or just give them the full 7:15-8:45, an hour and a half
    • 7:15-8:30pm, 8:45-9:30pm
      • March 17
      • March 24
      • March 31

by April 9

  • Decide on finalists, hold follow-up interviews
  • Share a chorus survey / vote / discussion

by May 1 (if not sooner)

  • Make offer 
Job Posting

The Boston Saengerfest Men’s Chorus invites applications for the position of Executive & Artistic Director starting in the Fall of 2026. 

About the Chorus

The Boston Saengerfest Men’s Chorus is a 35-voice nonauditioned tenor-bass choir performing a variety of repertoire spanning a wide range of time periods, genres, and styles. Saengerfest has enjoyed collaborating with choruses from around the country as such as the Boston Skyline Chorus, the Harvard Glee Club, the Cornell Glee Club, the Yale Whiffenpoofs, the Morehouse Glee Club, the University of Virginia Glee Club, the Boston City Singers, and numerous instrumentalists. Please visit saengerfest.org to learn more and see our recent programming. 

Job Requirements

The Executive & Artistic Director position is a dual role which requires both musical and administrative expertise:

  • Lead the chorus in weekly rehearsals during the academic year
    • Solidify rehearsal night, time, and location with board + chorus
  • Contract two vocal coaches (professional section leaders) and a collaborative pianist for rehearsals and performances
  • Contract collaborative musicians for performances
  • Reserve and communicate with rehearsal and concert venues
  • Program, and conduct 3+ concerts per season
    • Select and acquire sheet music (physical and digital)
    • Design concert images which function as flyers and program cover
    • Design, create, and print concert programs and physical tickets
  • Capture audio/video recordings of events or hire recording engineer
  • Coordinate with Webmaster to keep website up to date
  • Create Facebook concert events and posts
  • Post concert listings on Greater Boston Choral Consortium, etc.
  • Serve as a non-voting member of the board by attending board meetings
    • Proactively communicate with board and music committee

Expectations of the Executive & Artistic Director

Requisite: 

  • Experience and background as a choral conductor, singer, and music director
  • Ability to teach healthy vocal technique, music literacy, and ensemble skills
  • Experience curating, organizing, and planning concerts
  • Knowledge of software to create concert programs, tickets (such Canva)
  • Strong communication and organizational skills

Strongly preferred:

  • Keyboard proficiency
  • Experience arranging vocally suitable repertoire
  • Familiarity with tenor-bass repertoire
  • Connections with local musicians and arts organizations

Compensation

Compensation: $___–$___k annually, commensurate with experience. 

This is a part-time contract position that does not include benefits.

Application Process

Please send the following materials to _______, Chair of the Search Committee by March 1, 2026 with the subject line: APPLICATION – Name – Date of application

  • a résumé or CV
  • a video recording of you conducting in rehearsal or performance
  • and supply contact information for 2-3 professional references. An audio or video recording of an

Timeline

March 1: Application deadline; candidates contacted for interview

Early-March: Candidates invited to rehearse the group for 45 minutes on a Tuesday night in mid-late March, either from 7:15-8:30pm or 8:45-9:30pm

Mid-April: Finalists contacted for follow-up interview(s)

May 1: Saengerfest welcomes a new director to begin planning for the 2026-27 season

Wrapping up tasks for Max (by late May 2026)

  • Close out “director at saenger”… G mail account
  • End subscriptions to:
    • Gmail storage 
    • Canva

Wrapping up tasks for Max + Board + Chorus (can happen over the summer)

  • Move BSMC Music Library from Brimmer to its new home
  • Re-assign Facebook management of Saengefest page
    • I will be deleting the “Boston Saengerfest” account I use

—

Max Holman (he/him)

Executive & Artistic Director

Boston Saengerfest Men’s Chorus

cell: 717-574-5693

BSMCArtDir@gmail.com

saengerfest.org