We’re hiring

Artistic DirectoR & CONDUCTOR

The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus (DMGMC) seeks its next dynamic Artistic Director and Conductor. 

The DMGMC was first created in the mid-1980s as the Des Moines Men’s Chorus, before “gay” was safe to include in the organization’s name. The Chorus is celebrating its 25th season and the 80+ singers, staff, and Board are excited about the future of the organization. The Chorus is an open (non-auditioned) group for TTBB voices of all orientations and gender identities which performs an annual fundraising event as well as three primary concerts per year. In addition to the full chorus, the members of the DMGMC may also join its Small Ensemble groups: HarMANY, an auditioned ensemble, and TRANScendent, the first trans and non-binary group in Iowa and one of very few in Gala Choruses.  

The DMGMC, a 501(c)3 nonprofit tax-exempt organization and is a member of GALA Choruses and performed for the 4th time at the Gala Choruses Conference in Minneapolis in 2024. The DMGMC is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of singing and community members which holds the fiduciary responsibility of the organization and provides strategic direction for the chorus in collaboration with the Artistic Director. Staffing for the organization consists of the AD/C who reports to the Board, Principal Accompanist and HarMANY Director, Ben Hagen, and additional staff.  

DMGMC VISION: We envision a world where unconditional acceptance is woven into our common humanity.

DMGMC PURPOSE: We sing music that matters.

DMGMC MISSION:  The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus is a community champion singing to promote harmony, ignite hearts, and move minds.

DMGMC VALUES: Create musical excellence, Cultivate inclusive community, Champion hope, love and our common humanity, and Care for one another.

Through its artistic programming and outreach efforts, the DMGMC has performed at highprofile events within the community and provided loyal and growing audiences with exquisite sound and musicianship. 

Last year, the DMGMC reached over 21,000 audience members through live performances, marking a season of record-breaking attendance at all three of the 2024 concerts. Its impact was further recognized with the prestigious 2024 BRAVO Spotlight award, celebrating the meaningful performances and community engagement.

The chorus expanded significantly last season, growing by 35% to include 110 dedicated members. Attendance soared to a new high with over 950 people attending the winter concert, setting a DMGMC record. 

Beyond live performances, its online presence flourished, with over 18,000 individuals engaging with social media content through shares, likes, and comments. This surge in support also led to more than 1,000 new followers across all platforms.

The DMGMC continued to spread its mission of "Music that Matters" through memorable experiences such as its joyful monthly fundraising events at the Blazing Saddle and its national television debut on “The Kelly Clarkson Show."

A standout moment this season was the world premiere of two powerful commissioned works. Beacon by Ben Wexler inspired with its uplifting message: “We will be the beacon. Each of us will lend our light to form a glowing beacon. All together we can fight.” Meanwhile, Legacy by Dr. Matthew J Armstrong reflected on key moments in LGBTQ+ history, from the Lavender Scare and the AIDS crisis to the murder of Matthew Shepard and the achievement of marriage equality. Its powerful declaration resonated deeply: “I am me! I am a person of dignity, exactly who I was created to be. On the other side of the rainbow, there is hope for a brighter day!”

Last season was a testament to the power of music to inspire, uplift, and create lasting change.

QualificationS

The DMGMC is seeking an AD/C who will lead the organization with careful attention to its mission, vision, and values. The successful candidate will possess formal musical training and experience commensurate with leading a group of TTBB choral singers. The organization’s new leader must be able to reach and teach singers at all stages of musical knowledge. The selected candidate must have a working knowledge of the breadth and depth of choral music that results in exciting performance programming. The successor must be flexible (within reason) to facilitate the Chorus’ educational and outreach programming as needed. An advanced musical degree is preferred but equivalent experience will be considered.  

 

Duties and Responsibilities 

The primary duties and responsibilities of this part-time position include: 

Artistic Programming 

  • Select the repertoire, plan the concert season, and conduct weekly full rehearsals for the DMGMC within the budget and guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. This may also include conducting sectional rehearsals, coordinating section leaders, outreach programs, and venues for performances and rehearsals.  

  • Collaborate with Small Ensemble Directors to ensure cohesion between the DMGMC and Small Ensemble groups within the theme of the concert season.   

  • Consult with the DMGMC Staff on the hiring of additional artistic contractors.  This may include selecting soloists, instrumentalists, and additional accompanists.    

  • Coordinate with Board Committees and the DMGMC Staff on design of promotional materials.  

  • Explore, recommend, and coordinate artistic outreach opportunities.  

Administrative & Financial 

  • Communicate on a regular basis with the Board of Directors and Chorus membership. Attend meetings of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors as an ex-officio member.  

  • Consult in the preparation of the annual budget with the Finance Committee.  

  • Collaborate with the Development Committee on grant writing and donor relations.

  • Provide input and assist as necessary with other Board Committees including fundraising, budget development, donor cultivation, audience development, PR, design, recruitment and board meeting attendance.  

Strategic Vision 

  • Serve as spokesperson for the chorus in a variety of environments considering the overall mission, vision, and values of the DMGMC.  

  • Consult with the Board of Directors to continuously update and implement the strategic plan.  

  • Continually work to expand membership through recruitment and retention.  

  • Foster a supportive and inclusive chorus community by engaging in open, respectful communication that encourages collaboration and values feedback from all members.

  • Develop and encourage strong relationships with the LGBTQ Community other leading local and national arts and cultural organizations.  

 

About Des Moines

Des Moines is the county seat for Polk County and the capital city of Iowa and an estimated population of 753,913 in surrounding metro area (US Census, 2024). Des Moines boasts a thriving arts scene and is home to several museums and performing arts companies. Included among them are the Des Moines Symphony, Des Moines Metro Opera, Ballet Des Moines, Des Moines Arts Center, and Des Moines Performing Arts which hosts national touring performances at Des Moines’ Civic Center.   Additionally, central Iowa is home to many institutions of higher education, including Iowa State University,

Drake University, Grandview University, Simpson College, Grinnell College, Central College, Des Moines Area Community College, and other specialty institutions, many of which have wonderful arts and choral programs.

Des Moines is easily accessible by air via the Des Moines International Airport, which is serviced by all major airlines. Located at the intersection of two major interstate highways, other major cities such as Omaha, Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City are only a few hours’ drive away.  

 

Application Instructions 

We invite all interested candidates to submit the following materials: 

  • Cover letter 

  • CV/Resume 

  • References with contact information 

  • Season Proposal including themes and a selection of repertoire (a handful of songs is sufficient): 

  • Keep in mind the organizational mission and place in the community, and the organization’s historical three-concert season to which the members and patrons are accustomed.

  • Include additional elements as relevant, such as supplemental instrumentation, unique production elements, collaborations, etc. 

  • Although constraints like budgets, production elements, venue limitations, and more are always present, use this moment to create a pie-in-the-sky season without barriers.

  • You are encouraged to submit up to 3 examples of your past work (e.g., audio/video of your conducting or group’s performance, program copies). 

The Application Window will close at 5:00pm on Monday, July 14, 2025, but candidate interviews may be interviewed as applications are received.  Please submit questions and/or application materials as email attachments (PDFs for documents) to the Search Committee Co-chair, Jenica Johnson at jjohnson@dmgmc.org.  A drop box can be provided for audio/video files if needed.

The DMGMC welcomes members of all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Similarly, we welcome Artistic Director/Conductor candidates of all backgrounds and identities.