Falmouth, MA

MUSIC DIRECTOR
JOB DESCRIPTION

There are normally four conductors or Music Directors at CLOC who direct two, or sometimes three, shows in sequence during the nine show season. Working with the Producers and the Stage Director, the Music Director has charge of the musical preparation of the show being produced. Working under the Music Director are two Associate Conductors (chorus master and lead coach). Completing the music staff are two piano accompanists.

In a normal week the Music Director and the music staff, Choreographer and Stage Director get together on Sunday morning and play through the show about to go into rehearsal to make cuts, set tempi, etc. (The Music Director and Stage Director will have agreed on all of this ahead of time of course). Except for brief periods the Music Director will not actually rehearse the vocal company until the end of the rehearsal period. On Tuesdays the Associate Conductors teach all of the music to the company. After that rehearsals are for blocking with an accompanist and Associate Conductor present. Meanwhile the Music Director spends mornings at the theatre rehearsing the orchestra. He or she will frequently take over the afternoon blocking rehearsals also. By Friday afternoon blocking is complete and the Music Director joins the company at that time for the beginning of the "stagger-through" of the show. This continues Saturday morning. On Saturday afternoon the orchestra and the stage company come together for the first time for a sitzprobe and musical problems and balances are worked out. Sunday afternoon is another run-through with piano. Sunday night is tech rehearsal with piano. Monday is touch up day and Monday night is full dress rehearsal with the orchestra. Tuesday is music day for the next show.

CLOC uses an orchestra of 18 - 4 violins, viola, cello, bass, 2 flutes, 2 clarinets, oboe, bassoon, two horns, trombone, trumpet, percussion. Piano and electronic synthesizer are employed as scored or as needed. A harp is also available as needed.

The successful Music Director with CLOC is normally a graduate student or college faculty member with a great deal of experience in music theatre and/or operetta and opera production and conducting. Undergraduates should consider applying for the Associate Conductor position.

The position pays single room and board and a stipend for each show directed. We have a stable of conductors who have been with us for many years and, hence, we rarely have an opening in this position.  We do keep applications and resumes on file from year to year and can tell you at any given moment what we see happening for the current season. Employment dates are usually from the first weekend in June and goes for 11 weeks.