Orcas Choral Society Reaches Out for New Director

The Orcas Choral Society is reaching out to local publications and college and university music schools in its search for a new Choral Director to assume duties following the retirement of its Founding Director, Catherine Pederson, next spring.

Pederson started the Orcas Choral Society with a performance of Handel’s Messiah, in 1975. That event was such a success that Pederson and piano accompanist Louellen McCoy continued the community chorus for the next 30 years. The Choral Society became a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization in the 90s, and McCoy retired in 2007, following the choir’s 30^th anniversary celebration.

Pederson announced her retirement late last summer, and the Choral Society Board has been charged with finding a new director. A subcommittee has been formed to conduct the search.

Recently the search committee issued a statement announcing this opening. “The Choral Director provides artistic leadership for the OCS and reports to the OCS Board of the OCS. Duties include establishing standards of performance, producing creative, challenging and entertaining concert programs, and selected music within budget guidelines. The Choral Director prepares OCS singers for concerts at regularly scheduled weekly rehearsal, additional sectionals, dress rehearsals, and conducts all OCS concerts. The Choir Director will recruit, employ and rehearse guest soloists and musicians.”

Requirements for the position include “a comprehensive range of choral and instrumental conducting experience, with extensive knowledge of choral repertoire, both secular and sacred.  The Choral Director sets high performance standards and has the ability to communicate vocal production techniques to OCS Singers. Community outreach and interaction is important.”

“The Oras Choral Society is a community chorus of approximately 60 volunteer members. Since 1975, the OCS has been providing Orcas Island an annual season of two, and occasionally three, diverse programs, including principal choral masterworks such as Magnificat by John Rutter and Requiem by Gabriel Fauré. The OCS collaborates with other musical organizations and participates in an annual fundraising program for the ORcas Isladn School District and occasional community outreach events such as Sunday Music in the Park. The OCS rehearses weekly for two hours (day and time negotiable) from Labor Day to mid-May at the Orcas Theater and Performing Arts Center. The OCS has a vast music library spannign 34 years.

Compensation will be commensurate with experience. No benefits are included.

Interested persons whose experience and qualifications meet the requirements are asked to submit a cover letter and resume to orcaschoral@centurytel.net Att. Zee Roemer. The application procedure will include a rehearsal with the OCS for a technical evaluation. References, representative programs and performance audio or video may be requested later. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 15, 2010. A final decision will be made in April 2010. The OCS is an equal opportunity employer.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Zee Roemer, at orcaschoral@centurytel.net, or by calling 360-376-2708.