Music Director, Paris Choral Society

The Paris Choral Society seeks a Music Director. The start date is September 2026.

 

Founded in 1994, PCS is an auditioned amateur chorus of 70-90 dedicated singers, representing over a dozen nationalities, aged 18 to 80+. As a French 1901 nonprofit association, our mission is to perform the finest in choral music to a semi-professional standard at affordable prices. We perform sacred and secular music of all eras, with professional soloists, accompanied by orchestra, organ, piano and a cappella, typically in a three-program season. We rehearse in English.

 

Job Description

The Music Director provides musical leadership and artistic direction to the Paris Choral Society. Reporting to our volunteer board, the Music Director contributes to the attainment of PCS’s goals for artistic excellence, as well as to the musical enjoyment and fulfilment of its choristers.

 

The Music Director:

●      conducts weekly rehearsals, periodic Saturday workshops, dress rehearsals and performances (7 regular performances per year plus occasional extra performances);

●      attends PCS social and donor events;

●      attends all board meetings. In cooperation with the board, the Music Director:

o   develops dynamic seasonal programmes, concert repertoire and themes to excite and challenge choristers and audiences;

o   recruits and auditions talented choristers;

o   recruits professional musicians and soloists;

o   contributes to PCS development, audience-building and community participation;

o   contributes to sustaining and enhancing PCS's excellent reputation;

o   delivers programmes and performances within budget, schedule and performance space constraints.

 

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will combine a deep knowledge of choral and vocal performance with experience rehearsing and conducting amateur and professional singers and instrumentalists in a broad range of repertoire and musical styles.

 

Candidates must have:

●      At least three years of choral and orchestral conducting experience, with both amateurs and professionals.

●      Proficient levels of English and French.

●      A master's or doctoral degree in music, or equivalent professional credentials.

●      The legal right to work in France.

 

The successful application will demonstrate the ability to:

●       rehearse and conduct concerts to the highest possible standard;

●       inspire choristers to perform at a consistently high level;

●       teach vocal technique and musicianship to choristers of varying skill levels and ages;

●       work collaboratively with a volunteer board;

●       plan dynamic, creative, and exciting seasons;

●       recruit professional soloists and instrumentalists;

●       communicate effectively with all stakeholders;

●       work within deadline, budgetary, and spatial constraints.

 

The successful candidate will also demonstrate a working style that is flexible, patient, responsive, and receptive to feedback from the board and choir members at large.

 

The position is part-time. To be clear, the Music Director is not an employee of the PCS. We will offer the successful candidate a renewable one-year contract to provide professional services as stipulated.

 

Applications

 

The closing date for applications is Monday, 5 January 2026.

 

PCS enthusiastically welcomes nominations and expressions of interest from qualified candidates. Please submit:

 

●       Cover letter including a brief statement about your philosophy and methods

●       Curriculum Vitae (not to exceed three pages)

●       Two professional references with contact information

●       Two video recordings of different performances. If no video is available, please submit audio recordings.

 

Please email your application to info@parischoralsociety.org with Music Director in the subject line. Please submit written materials as Word or PDF attachments, and recordings as either attachments, links to downloadable or streaming files, or posted videos (e.g. YouTube). Videos must be freely accessible throughout the application process.

 

All applications are confidential. We will contact references once we have notified finalists. For more information, contact PCS President Cliodhna Fullam at the same email address. https://www.parischoralsociety.org/job-opportunity