BOARD & STAFF

Artistic Director
​Dean Jilek, artistic director of the Grand Forks Chorale and Master Chorale, also serves as the University of North Dakota Director of Choirs where he conducts the Concert Choir and the Varsity Bards and teaches choral conducting, choral literature and vocal methods courses.  Dean earned his Doctorate of Choral Conducting from the University of North Texas where he studied with Jerry McCoy and Richard Sparks.  Dean received his Master of Choral Conducting and Literature from North Dakota State University and earned his undergraduate degree in vocal education from Dickinson State University in North Dakota. Dr. Jilek’s experience in conducting includes the Vancouver Professional Chamber Choir Symposium where he studied under Jon Washburn, and the International Conducting Workshop Festival in Bulgaria, where Dean focused on orchestral conducting.
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Prior to his university position, Dean’s teaching career encompassed k-12 education with short tenures in North Dakota at the Hazen School District and Dickinson Trinity High School, as well as, the Mitchell School District in South Dakota.  From 2004-2013, Dean was the Director of Choral Activities at Roseville Area High School in Minnesota.  Under his direction, the school’s top mixed choir, Cantus Certus, was invited by blind audition to perform at the National ACDA Convention in Dallas (2013), Concordia College Choral Festival (2013), Luther College Dorian Vocal Festival (2013), Luther College Dorian Spring Choral Festival (2012), Minnesota MEA Convention (2012), Minnesota ACDA Choral Arts Finale (2011), Minnesota State ACDA Convention (2006, 2011).  Dean is a sought after clinician and guest conductor in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas, and he served as the North Dakota Women’s All State Choir director in March 2015. He currently lives in Grand Forks with his wife Diane, daughters Clare, Gemma, Cecilia, and son Basil.

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Board of Directors
Sarah Atkinson, President
Evan Montgomery, Vice President
Robert Mocadlo, Treasurer
Marsha Johnson, Secretary
Margaret Jackson
Valerie Jensen
Peter Johnson
Laura Palmer
Brad Sherwood

Staff
​Dr. Dean Jilek, Artistic Director
Cole Rodgers, Fundraising Professional
Vacant, Executive Director

​POSITION OPENING: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

​Executive Director for Local Arts Non-Profit (Part-Time)

The Grand Forks Chorales is seeking an experienced, dynamic leader for the position of Executive Director. This individual will support the mission of the Chorales by overseeing operations, serving as a link to the broader community as the face of the organization, building and maintaining relationships, and helping the Fundraising Professional with development.

The successful Executive Director candidate will understand and promote strategic planning and growth, marketing, and the importance of music in our community.

Background: Founded in 1983 as a nonprofit arts organization, the Grand Forks Chorales is an auditioned, regional choral organization with a rich history of presenting the highest-quality choral programming in the Grand Forks region for nearly 40 years. During its organizational lifetime, the Chorales has seen over 400 members and has performed alongside nationally and internationally recognized guest artists, composers, choirs, and orchestras.

The Chorales presents its concert season with two choirs: the Grand Forks Chorale and the Master Chorale. The Grand Forks Chorale features singers from a wide variety of backgrounds that have a passion for the choral arts and are committed to the experience of choral singing. Members of the Grand Forks Chorale may also audition to be part of the Master Chorale, a professional-caliber chamber choir that presents rare and recognizable choral music from a whole range of eras, languages, and musical styles.

Executive Director Responsibilities:
● Organizational Leadership – The Executive Director must work closely with the Grand Forks Chorales Artistic Director, the Board of Directors, members, volunteers, and constituents to ensure the fulfillment of the Chorales’ mission and vision. S/he must be a skilled leader with an overarching view of the Chorales’ operations from administration to finances to overseeing the strategic plan. S/he is responsible for providing mission-based leadership and ensuring that all levels of management and activities are for the good of the organization.
● Development – The Executive Director is responsible for working with the Fundraising Professional to develop and implement strategies for cultivating, securing and sustaining a strong, diversified, and vibrant means for funding the organization’s programs and operations. S/he works with the Fundraising Professional to provide leadership and vision to the board and volunteer committees in securing government grants, corporate sponsorships, and multiple venues for individual giving.
● Community Engagement and Outreach – In consultation with the Artistic Director and the Board, the Executive Director will develop a comprehensive strategy to effectively promote the mission and programs of the Chorale, including outreach to the media, schools, retirement communities, the corporate community, the local arts community, and other key partnership organizations.
● Marketing and Sales – The Executive Director will oversee the planning and implementation of all marketing, publicity, and sales for events and performances, working with internal staff or an external consultant as needed.
● Management and Operations – The Executive Director will work to ensure smooth and effective operation of all aspects of organization programs and administration and will also interface with the Artistic Director to assess needs for ongoing education programs and concert performances and oversee implementation of contracts for guest artists and venues and other support needed for successful programs.
● Financial Management – In partnership with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for the financial status of the organization including developing and monitoring the budget and ensuring sound financial controls are in place. Works with the Artistic Director, the Treasurer of the Board, and the President to develop annual operating budgets and ensure accurate, timely reports to the board, funders and the singers.
● Board Relationship – The Executive Director must facilitate an open, transparent, and collegial relationship with the Board of Directors. S/he partners with Board President to stay abreast of organizational needs, operations, and transmission of vital information to the Board.

Qualifications:
The ideal Executive Director candidate will possess these qualifications:
● A passion for our mission to enrich and inspire a broad community through music;
● High-level leadership experience, preferably with nonprofit organizations;
● Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a relevant field;
● Clear and concise written and oral communication skills;
● Financial acumen, including experience creating and managing budgets;
● Understanding of and successful track record in marketing and fundraising;
● Experience negotiating contracts and scheduling events;
● Skilled at working with a diverse constituency and managing both paid and volunteer staff;
● Positive character traits, including strong values, high integrity, and a commitment to accountability, openness, and thoughtful communication;
● Skilled at relationship building, especially with potential donors, peer organization leadership, new board members, the community, and constituents;
● A “can do” person, willing to wear many hats.

Compensation and Hours:
This is a salaried position which we anticipate will require 10-15 hours per week initially, with the potential for growth in the future.

To Apply: Please email your resume with a cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications for this position, a resume, and three references to Peterjohnsonund@yahoo.com. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please apply by Midnight, Sept. 14, for best consideration.

The Grand Forks Chorales values diversity and inclusiveness and is an equal opportunity employer.