DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
JOB DESCRIPTION
Organizations:
Detroit Children’s Choir and Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Job Title:
Executive Director of Detroit Children’s Choir and Program
Manager of the Wu Family Academy for Learning and
Engagement
Department:
Last Revision Date:
Education
07/07/2014
About the Detroit Children’s Choir
Founded in 2006, the Detroit Children’s Choir uses the power and discipline of choral singing to
bring together Detroit area children and strengthen team building, creativity, social interaction,
understanding and connection. What began as a single, in-school program eight years ago has
transformed into an organization that now boasts seven different choirs in schools and
neighborhoods across Metro Detroit. Today, the Detroit Children’s Choir follows a robust
curriculum emphasizing sequential music literacy, sight reading skills, vocal technique training,
and performance opportunities, including those in partnership with the DSO, and is the only
community-wide, inclusive choral music education program in Metro Detroit that serves children
in grades 3-8. Last season’s membership exceeded 185 youth participating and consisted of
children from the city of Detroit, Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. For more information
on Detroit Children’s Choir, please visit detroitchildrenschoir.org.
About the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
The internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the fourth-oldest symphony
orchestra in the United States, is known for trailblazing performances, visionary maestros, and
collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists. Esteemed conductor Leonard Slatkin,
called “America’s Music Director” by the Los Angeles Times, became the 12th Music Director of
the DSO during the 2008-09 season. The DSO offers a year-round performance schedule that
includes classical, pops, jazz, young people’s concerts and festivals. The DSO makes its home
in historic Orchestra Hall, one of America’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, and actively
pursues a mission to impact and serve the community through music. For more information visit
www.dso.org.
General Description
The Executive Director of Detroit Children’s Choir(DCC) and Program Manager of the Wu
Family Academy for Learning and Engagement(DSO) will have the unique opportunity to work
alongside two cultural arts organizations and facilitate the collaborative relationship between
them. The role of the Executive Director of the Detroit Children’s Choir is the administrative
leader of the organization, providing vision, strategic direction, and oversight of Detroit
Children’s Choir resources to ensure success in carrying out the organization's mission. The
Executive Director has responsibility and accountability for the administrative leadership,
management, and direction of all aspects of business and managerial operations in support of
the DCC’s artistic and educational goals. The Executive Director of DCC actively develops, in
collaboration with the Board and Artistic Director, a strategic direction that reflects a shared
vision of the mission, goals.
The Program Manager of the Wu Family Academy for Learning and Engagement is tasked in
developing and administering engagement initiatives and performance opportunities intended to
build and educate audiences about classical music. The Program Manager is responsible for
the organization, implementation, administration, and promotion of all DSO Neighborhood
Residency education training programs. Responsible for cultivating a wide range of new/existing
community arts partnerships to leverage the DSO’s service and relevance throughout the
diverse neighborhoods it serves. The Program Manager will also work closely with the DSO’s
Director of Education to facilitate the fund support and development for all Wu Family Academy
for Learning and Engagement initiatives.
Specific Responsibilities- Executive Director of Detroit Children’s Choir
 Provide leadership and day-to-day management of the operational and programming
staff to ensure overall effectiveness and the fulfillment of organizational goals; Recruit,
train, effectively motivate and manage assigned staff and volunteers

Responsible for cultivating a wide range of new/existing community arts partnerships to
leverage the DCC’s service and relevance throughout the diverse neighborhoods it
serves. Cultivate productive educational, performing arts, other cultural and civic
partnerships, leveraging shared resources, cross-promotion and creative programming.

Work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure a strategic, unified organizational
approach to all outreach so that fund raising and programming efforts are designed
cohesively to result in the greatest possible benefit to the organizations long range plan

Oversee fiscal management including budgeting, financial forecasting, and operating
plan tools

Seek out, benchmark, and model other best practices from like or like-minded
organizations as part of ongoing process improvement to enhance the skills, capabilities
and impact of the Detroit Children’s Choir

Call on prospects and donors, as appropriate, in order to cultivate, solicit and honor their
support, involving Board members and volunteers as needed

Serve as a resource to the Board of Directors Nominating Committee in the identification
and evaluation of candidates for future Board membership and volunteer leadership.

Represent DCC at meetings of civic, governmental, and community groups

Identify, plan and participate in Detroit community arts and non-profit networking events

Performs other duties as assigned
Specific Responsibilities- Program Manager of the Wu Family Academy for Learning
and Engagement
 Responsible for coordinating all aspects of the logistical planning and implementation of
these programs to ensure a smooth running and high-impact educational experience for
students including but not limited to, Guest Artist Residencies, management of on-site
program assistants, tuition collection, instrumental rental company relationship
management, teaching artist faculty management and educational optional work
implementation.

Prepare and implement fundraising initiatives including cultivating relationships with
community leaders, developing new collaborations, and completion of proposals for
foundation and government support of educational optional work initiatives

Cultivate productive educational, performing arts, other cultural and civic partnerships,
leveraging shared resources, cross-promotion and creative programming.

Responsible for keeping up to date with local and national education policies and
maintain relationships with school administrators and teaching professionals.

Performs other duties as assigned.
Position Qualifications
Master’s level College or Conservatory degree in Music, Music Education or Arts Administration
required. Minimum of two years experience in music education, management or arts
administration required. Strong organization, communication, and problem solving skills are
required, as well as the ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven work environment. Must
possess strong interpersonal skills to work with a wide variety of personalities, including
musicians, staff, student musicians, their parents and educators. Must be able to work days,
evenings and weekends as required. Ability to operate in a PC network environment and
proficiency with all Microsoft Office programs (including Microsoft Access) and Google online
app suite required.
Primary Reporting Responsibility
Director of Education
Secondary Reporting Responsibility
Detroit Children’s Choir Board of Directors
Supervisory Responsibility
Part time and contract employees of both DSO and DCC
Qualified candidates should submit a resume with cover letter to [email protected].