Music director h1.location_city

Job no: 495809
Work type: Full Time
Location: Swarthmore
Categories: Staff, Salary (Exempt), On Campus

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

The Chester Children's Chorus numbers 130 children, ages 8-18, from every school in the city of Chester, PA. The mission of the Chester Children's Chorus is to provide an intensive, sophisticated, and joyful choral music and math experience to young people of Chester, PA and to support their academic achievement and personal development.

Our motto is "Strong voice, strong mind, strong spirit."

The opportunity:

Reporting to the Artistic Director (AD), the Assistant Music Director (AMD) conducts and rehearses the younger members of the chorus (grades 3-5; 50-60 children) throughout the school year and summer, and prepares the groups for 10-12 concert performances per year. Rehearsals take place after school on weekdays and on Saturdays on the Swarthmore College campus.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead year-round rehearsals and prepare assigned choruses for concert performances (including 5-week summer program).
• Curate repertoire appropriate for each assigned ensemble’s level and performance goals, drawing from diverse musical traditions that inspire choristers and reflect the cultural richness of the Chorus.
• Collaborate with the Artistic Director on artistic planning and creative initiatives, including repertoire development, special performances, and other projects that enhance the musical life of the Chorus.
• Teach sight-reading, vocal technique, and musicianship skills that promote musical literacy, confidence, and expressive singing.
• Manage the annual music budget for assigned ensembles, purchase scores and supplies, and assist the Artistic and Executive Directors in the maintenance of music resources for the chorus as a whole.
• Track and support each chorister’s musical development, attendance, and constructive participation in the Chorus community.
• Collaborate with the communications team to share the story of the Chorus through newsletter articles, social media, concert promotions, and other creative media.
• Collaborate with administrative staff on program planning and development to strengthen the Chorus’s artistic and educational impact.
• Assist the Artistic Director in conducting auditions for prospective choristers and in assessing current students for placement or promotion within the Chorus.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• 2-3 part-time Music Program Assistants

Who you are:

• Demonstrated fluency in a broad range of musical styles, including classical choral repertoire (Baroque to contemporary), as well as gospel, folk, jazz, and popular genres.
• Strong vocal ability, with the capacity to model healthy singing within a child’s range.
• Keyboard proficiency at an intermediate or higher level, with the ability to read lead sheets and improvise in rehearsals and performances, as needed.
• Ability to teach sight-reading and developing musicianship.
• Ability to cultivate disciplined, joyful rehearsal environments that foster both musical excellence and community.
• Effective classroom and rehearsal management skills, with a genuine enthusiasm and patience for working with children and youth.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in music, music education, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience in choral conducting and instruction.
• At least three years of experience leading choral or classroom-based music programs.
• Demonstrated record of artistic excellence, pedagogical effectiveness, and commitment to youth development through music.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree or training in music, conducting, or education.
• Five or more years directing choirs or teaching group music; experience with multi-genre repertoire and performance production.
• Experience mentoring young musicians, with familiarity with diverse musical traditions.

Physical Demands

• This position requires the ability to lead rehearsals and move actively within the rehearsal and performance spaces. The role involves occasional lifting, carrying, and setup of musical and technical equipment (such as keyboards, stands, and sound equipment) weighing up to 50 pounds.
• The Assistant Music Director must be able to travel between rehearsal sites, performance sites, and Chorus events as needed; a valid driver’s license is required.
• Proficiency in using standard office and instructional technology–including email, Google Workspace, and other digital communication and file-sharing platforms–is expected.

Working Conditions

• The position primarily involves in-person work in rehearsal and concert settings. Rehearsals are held after school and Saturdays during the academic year, and full-day, Monday-Friday, during the five-week summer learning program.
• Occasional evening and weekend work is required for performances, rehearsals, and special events.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including a cover letter, by February 28, 2026. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).

The market range for this position is $50,000-$72,000 per year, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

Act 153 Clearance Required by Position

This position may regularly interact with minors. Under Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law, (23 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§6301, et seq.) employees who have direct contact with minors are required to obtain the following background clearances prior to the start of employment:

Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) through the Pennsylvania State PolicePennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (PACA) through the Pennsylvania Department of Human ServicesFBI Criminal History Background Check (FBI Fingerprint).

MVR Clearance Required by Position

Due to operating a College owned motor vehicle while performing essential job responsibilities for this position, a motor vehicle report (MVR) clearance is required prior to the start of employment.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

2026 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.

Advertised: Feb 11 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: Open until filled

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