NYC Conductor Search

National Youth Choir Conductor Search – 2012

A project of the Association of Canadian Choral Communities (ACCC), the National Youth Choir of Canada is a 40-voice SATB ensemble that promotes excellence, national understanding, and cooperation through choral singing. Every second year, up to four young people (ages 18 to 25) from each province and territory are accepted by audition to this prestigious ensemble. Together they form a choir of professional calibre and vivacious enthusiasm that tours a region of our nation culminating in a performance at the ACCC’s national, biennial conference, PODIUM.

The Candidate

Any professional conductor with Canadian citizenship or permanent residency who has extensive experience with SATB ensembles, young singers, residential/intensive rehearsal and touring environments, and mentoring conducting students.

The Role

A two-week, residential term position involving a rehearsal period of 5 full days and a touring period of 10 days in mid-May, 2012 (beginning approximately May 5th). The ACCC administers the choir and hires/supervises an accompanist and tour coordinator. The final performance in 2012 will take place in Ottawa at PODIUM on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The choir will tour Southern and Eastern Ontario. Responsibilities include:

choosing a challenging program that includes a cappella works, piano-accompanied works, and Canadian compositions mentoring the National Youth Choir Apprentice Conductor (selected by application by a committee that includes the NYC Conductor)
offering NYC singers a learning environment that is challenging, professional, and exciting – this will be the first step beyond a provincial youth choir for many
premiering the winning work from the ACCC’s National Composer’s Competition
offering choral workshops with NYC for community singers, church groups, and students during the tour

Remuneration

The National Youth Choir conductor is paid an honourarium and will have all travel and touring costs covered by the ACCC.

The Selection Process

In addition to the public search process, past National Youth Choir conductors are invited to nominate candidates. A committee comprised of a Board representative, a past NYC Conductor, and a member of the Podium team in the host province will create a short list of 3 candidates. The final decision is made by the Board of Directors on May 19, 2010. The results of the search will be announced at Podium 2010 in Saskatoon, May 20-23.

The Application