Things To Do To Find A Chorus Director

A music director should possess most or all of the following attributes;

• Musical knowledge

• Motivational skills

• Barbershop background and experience

• Physical coordination

• Willingness to learn

• Feeling for the music

• Positive personality traits

• Pride in performance

These attributes are in no particular order, but may provide a check list for your interviewing process.  And you should organize an interview procedure, which would include a list of questions you would ask all of your candidates.  This might be the subject of your first committee meeting.

The first place to look for a director is inside your own chapter, for there may be someone there who shows a natural ability towards directing, is willing to learn, and has a good rapport and respect of and from his fellow members.

Other sources:

• local chapters of Sweet Adelines and Harmony Inc.

• neighboring Society chapters' assistant directors

• local middle and high school music departments

• local college and university music departments

• local church choir directors

• former directors of neighboring chapters

You might wish to find a video recording of a recent contest or show that you could use to demonstrate your group, and our musical style, to a non-barbershopper who may show some interest.  Or use a tape of a recent International convention.

The NEDCDA maintains of listing of current and former directors of barbershop choruses in the NED. Contact any NEDCDA officer to use the list to reach potential candidates.

Another resource is the SPEBSQSA Chorus Director Job Openings Bulletin Board. Take a look at http://www.spebsqsa.org/directorjobs/default.asp. There is also an internet chorus directors mailing list. It can be viewed at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/directors. You can also send an announcement of your opening to the NED discussion list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ned.

You might consider spreading your recruiting efforts outside the barbershopping community. It is very likely that there are many fine musicians in your area who could become superb chorus directors in very little time. The Society recently produced a video targeted to Music Educators to show the value that barbershopping can bring to their vocal music programs. This might also be an effective tool in convincing a vocal music educator to work with a group of committed, hard-working adults. It can be ordered from Harmony Marketplace. 

-NEDCDA