Music Director: Voices New Zealand

Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand (CANZ) is the home of three national choirs and a national choral academy:
• Voices New Zealand – A professionally run national chamber choir.
• New Zealand Youth Choir (NZYC) – A premier national choir for singers aged 18–25.
• New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir (NZSSC) – A national choir for high school students.
• Aotearoa Choral Academy (ACA) – A national choral academy for singers aged 13-25. 

CANZ also delivers a national outreach programme that includes young conductor training, community and school outreach, an annual composition competition and mentoring. 

Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir 

Established in 1998 to create Aotearoa’s professional level chamber choir, Voices NZ currently stages 3 – 5 projects per year, two of those usually self-curated, the others as hires from presenting partners including orchestras. Voices NZ usually performs as a 24-singer ensemble but has also performed in smaller ensemble sizes and in numbers as large as 70 for symphonic projects. 

Voices NZ is defined by:
• Excellence in choral singing
• Presenting aspirational art music that reflects Aotearoa’s unique position in the world, the music and stories of Tangata Whenua (Māori), the Pacific Peoples, contemporary composers and a reference to choral masterpieces and canon.
• Artistic risk-taking and openness for courageous and innovative staging concepts
• Being the choir-of-choice for major presenting partners and artistic collaborators in Aotearoa, including international festivals, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and Chamber Music New Zealand.
• Being aspirational for the choral sector and audiences in Aotearoa New Zealand
• Being professionally managed
• Supporting professional pathways for singers, conductors, vocal coaches, composers and other related professional collaborators. 

Learn more at: voicesnz.com

What We Offer 

• The opportunity to shape the artistic future of New Zealand’s premier choral ensemble.
• The chance to work with an exceptionally committed management team.
• A supportive professional environment within Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand, with access to an extensive network of choral professionals.
• The opportunity to lead regular national and occasional international tours, performing on world-class stages

The Role: Music Director, Voices New Zealand 
Reports to: Chief Executive and/or artistic representative, Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand
Location: New Zealand (some travel required for rehearsals and tours)
Contract: Fixed Term – Project based 2027, 2028 and 2029
Remuneration: Daily rates for project work plus retainer, commensurate with experience 

Key Responsibilities

 Artistic Leadership
• Define and evolve the artistic vision of Voices NZ in line with CANZ’s strategic priorities and Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments.
• Design and lead engaging, innovative, and diverse choral programmes of artistic excellence that challenge, inspire and grow audiences.
• Devise a three-year programme pathway for Voices NZ within agreed budget parameters.
• Maintain a strong focus on programming that connects deeply with Aotearoa audiences while positioning Voices NZ as a distinctive presence on the international stage; select repertoire that aligns with Voices NZ status, position and values and enhances VNZ’s global artistic reputation.
• Collaborate with composers, musicians, and other artistic partners.
• Contribute as member of CANZ Artistic Advisory Group to the overall artistic direction of the organisation.
• A key collaborator in the artistic leadership of our national choirs is the Manager Artistic Planning and Outreach. 

Audience Development & Engagement
• Collaborate with CANZ’s marketing and engagement teams to design and deliver programmes that are relevant, inclusive, and resonate with new and existing audiences.
• Contribute to the storytelling, context-setting, and framing of repertoire to deepen audience understanding and connection.
• Lead digital content development to broaden general public and international awareness for and engagement with Voices NZ. 

Rehearsal & Performance Direction
• Lead all high-quality rehearsals and performances unless otherwise agreed.
• Facilitate professional level vocal training and musicianship development for choir members.
• Conduct national and international tours, recordings, and special projects unless it is agreed with the Chief Executive that another conductor lead one or more of those activities.
• Work with the production and management teams to optimise rehearsal efficiency and scheduling. 

Singer Development & Engagement
• Lead the audition (when possible) and appointment process for Voices NZ singers as set out in the Trust’s Audition Policy.
• Foster a collaborative culture of artistic excellence, vocal health, and continuous development.
• Provide artistic leadership that supports diversity and inclusion.
• Work with vocal coaches and music educators to ensure a high standard of training. Collaboration & Partnerships
• Work with Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand leadership to plan programming and tours.
• Initiate and cultivate collaborations with leading composers, artists, festivals, and cultural institutions.
• Commission new works that advance the ensemble’s repertoire and identity.
• Engage with the wider choral, classical music, and arts communities in Aotearoa and internationally.

Engagement & Representation
• Serve as an ambassador for Voices NZ at public, media, and donor events.
• Work with the CANZ team to contribute to audience development strategies and fundraising efforts.
• Support outreach initiatives and recordings that extend the impact of the choir's work. 

Person Specification Essential Criteria: 
• Exceptional artistic credentials and experience conducting high-level vocal ensembles.
• Deep understanding of audience development through programming and performance design.
• Strong commitment to artistic innovation and cultural responsiveness.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills.
• Understanding of Te Ao Māori and Pasifika musical traditions, or a willingness to deeply engage in these areas.
• Experience in planning and delivering performances at an international standard. 

Desirable Criteria:
• Connections in the global choral and music festival networks.
• A track record of commissioning and performing contemporary choral works.