The Calgary Bach Festival Society (CBFS) is seeking a qualified professional for the following position:
Artistic Director and Conductor

The Calgary Bach Festival Society, now in its 20th year of regular concerts of Baroque music, has an opening for Artistic Director and Conductor. The CBFS consists of an excellent SATB choir of amateur and professional singers who meet in rehearsals every Monday evening from September to March. The choir performs two major concerts a year (an Advent Concert and Bach’s Birthday Celebration), with professional orchestral players and soloists. In addition to these concerts, the Society organizes a chamber music and children’s concert. The organization is interested in Baroque Performance Practice (the orchestra uses Baroque bows) and has generally produced concerts incorporating the music of Bach or other composers of the Baroque era. The CBFS is seeking an experienced conductor with strong skills in working with singers and orchestras.

• Responsibilities:
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  Prepare the choir for each concert through preparation and leadership of weekly rehearsals
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  Conduct the choir and professional orchestra in each concert
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  In collaboration with the CBFS Board, organize the chamber music concert and children’s concert
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  At the beginning of the musical season, plan repertoire and order necessary music for choir and orchestra
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  Work collaboratively with members of the Board, which includes an orchestral liaison
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  As 2009 marks the 20th Anniversary of the CBFS, a special performance of the B Minor Mass will be held in April, 2009, in lieu of the Birthday Celebration. A guest conductor will be responsible for this performance; however the CBFS Conductor will be required to prepare the choir. Therefore, prior knowledge of Bach’s B Minor Mass would be a considerable asset.
• 
  Qualifications:
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  An understanding of, and interest in, Baroque Performance Practice, German language and the liturgical or sacred background of the music is desirable.
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  Experience with both choral groups and orchestra is desirable.
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  Experience planning concerts, hiring soloists, writing program notes, ordering music, working with a volunteer board, dealing with a budget and assisting in the marketing of the organization would all be considered assets.
  

• Remuneration is based on the number of rehearsals and concerts.
  Application Procedure
  Please send a letter describing your interest in the position as well as a resume outlining your conducting experience.
  Provide an unedited audio recording of your work as a conductor, and provide the names of three references who can speak to your work as a conductor.
  Shortlisted candidates will be invited to audition in person at a choir rehearsal on May 12, 2008.
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  Applications can be sent to:
  The Calgary Bach Festival Society
  Box 30032
  6455 MacLeod Trail S
  T2H 2V8

The deadline for applications is April 28, 2008. If you have any further inquiries regarding this position, please contact CBFS President Greer Reinhart at greer.reinhart@cssd.ab.ca. Thank you for your interest in this position; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.