Music Director For Youth Holiday Cabaret

DEPARTMENT: Education (Guest Artist ≈ 12hrs week)

START DATE: November 2nd

END DATE: December 12th (Following the closure of Holiday Production)

The New London Barn Playhouse seeks a collaborative, creative, and musically skilled Music Director for A Little More Christmas, a holiday cabaret featuring student performers ages 10–18. This special showcase will celebrate the talents of young vocalists through a variety of musical performances, including solos, duets, small-group numbers, larger ensemble selections, and traditional holiday caroling.

The Music Director will lead musical preparation and rehearsals, support students in developing their vocal technique and musical confidence, and provide live musical accompaniment for all performances. Working closely with the Education Director, the Music Director will help shape a cohesive and engaging musical program that highlights individual student artistry while fostering collaboration and ensemble singing. The ideal candidate is an organized, adaptable, and supportive musician who enjoys working with young performers and is committed to creating a positive, challenging, and encouraging educational theatre experience.

This is a short-term, project-based position reporting to the Education Director.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Musical Direction & Preparation

  • Collaborate with the Education Director to develop the musical program, including song selections, keys, arrangements, and vocal combinations.

  • Prepare sheet music, accompaniment materials, and other necessary musical resources for rehearsals and performances.

  • Lead musical rehearsals for soloists, duets, small groups, and full-company numbers.

  • Teach vocal parts, harmonies, phrasing, rhythms, and musical interpretation appropriate to each selection.

  • Adapt musical material as needed to accommodate students' vocal ranges, experience levels, and abilities.

• Student Development & Collaboration

  • Foster a supportive and engaging rehearsal environment that encourages students to develop their musical skills, confidence, and individual artistry.

  • Provide constructive feedback and guidance to student performers on vocal technique, musical expression, blend, and ensemble singing.

  • Support students in preparing individual selections while encouraging collaboration and active participation in group numbers.

  • Communicate musical expectations, rehearsal priorities, and preparation needs clearly to students and the Education Director.

• Rehearsal & Performance Responsibilities

  • Attend and lead scheduled musical rehearsals in coordination with the Education Director and established production schedule.

  • Provide live piano accompaniment for all scheduled performances of A Little More Christmas.

  • Prepare and maintain accompaniment materials to ensure musical consistency throughout rehearsals and performances.

  • Collaborate with the Education Director on transitions between musical numbers, pacing, and the overall flow of the showcase.

  • Participate in necessary production meetings and communicate scheduling needs, musical challenges, and progress throughout the rehearsal process.

• Professional & Administrative Responsibilities

  • Maintain organized sheet music, rehearsal notes, and relevant musical materials.

  • Communicate professionally and consistently with the Education Director and other members of the production team.

  • Arrive prepared for rehearsals and performances, with all necessary musical materials ready for use.

  • Contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment for students, families, and colleagues.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience as a music director, vocal coach, accompanist, or collaborative pianist.

• Strong piano and sight-reading skills, with the ability to accompany a variety of musical styles.

• Experience teaching vocal music, directing ensembles, or working with young performers preferred.

• Familiarity with musical theatre repertoire, holiday music, vocal arrangements, and ensemble singing.

• Ability to adapt music to different vocal ranges and experience levels.

• Strong organizational, communication, and collaborative skills.

• A commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive, and artistically enriching environment for young performers.

COMPENSATION

● Salary: $1,800 - $2,400

● Housing: Provided

● Company Vehicle: Provided

● Round Trip Travel Covered

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

The New London Barn Playhouse is an award-winning professional theater now in its 92nd

season. As one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the country, the Barn is a

cultural jewel of northern New England. Housed since 1933 in a centuries-old converted barn

with historic landmark status, the theater offers a mix of classic and contemporary musicals and

plays performed by seasoned professionals alongside emerging young artists. The Barn

operates on an AEA LOA reference to COST contract, with an annual operating budget of just

over 1.8 million. The organization produces a Mainstage season between Memorial Day and

Labor Day each summer, with additional productions including one-night-only cabarets and a

Children’s Theater Series throughout the season. The New London Barn Playhouse recently

engaged in the largest capital campaign in its history. As part of this campaign, a new

year-round educational center was constructed. The Fleming Center for Artistic Development

opened in May 2022 and allowed for the Barn Playhouse’s expansion to 12 month programming

to serve as an artistic and educational hub for its community.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

At the New London Barn Playhouse, our organization actively chooses to uplift applicants with

diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities and

expressions, sexes, national origins, political affiliations, socio-economic status, veteran and

Disability status, and other intersectional dimensions of diversity.

We are committed to ongoing learning and developing and implementing programs and

initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in all areas of employment as well as through our

creative process and projects.

Please email a resume and letter of interest to the Director of Education, Ty Simons, at [email protected]

https://www.nlbarn.org/jobs