Choral Assistant/ Intern

Phillips Exeter Academy•Exeter, NH

14d•$40,000•Onsite

About The Position

The music department seeks an energized, collaborative, and motivated choral musician to join the department as a choral assistant and teaching intern for the 2026-27 school year with a possible extension for an additional academic year. The choral intern assists the director of choirs in the successful operation of the choral and vocal chamber music programs by leading sectional rehearsals, co-teaching small ensembles, and eventually directing the non-auditioned Exeter Choral Union. The choral intern may also assist in aspects of the mainstage musical theater production as well as in an advanced, hybrid ensemble of students and adults. Additional possibilities exist to gain experience working more broadly in the department (with campus orchestras, jazz/contemporary ensembles, music theory or music appreciation courses, and/or in the music technology program). The choral intern will participate in a multi-day campus residency with a Grammy-nominated choral ensemble and would tour in association with the Concert Choir if extended into 2027-28. Past interns have also been assigned club-advising duties with the five campus a cappella groups. The ideal candidate will bring outstanding musicianship, broad areas of repertoire interest, and a desire to work with highly motivated high school students in a diverse, mostly residential community.

Requirements

Applicants must have a degree in music with demonstrated success leading choral ensembles on a foundation of healthy vocal production.
Keyboard skills sufficient for supporting their own rehearsals are desirable.
Enthusiasm for working with adolescents both inside and outside of the classroom is essential.
Spending time with students giving extra help, advising, working as dormitory faculty, and leading extracurricular activities is an integral part of the job.
A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and to serving the needs of a diverse community.
Willingness to enforce all school policies and rules governing student behaviors.
Criminal and driving background check.
Applications must include a resume and cover letter.

Responsibilities

Interns participate as rehearsal assistant and/or chorister in ensembles and gradually assume principal leadership duties for one of the choirs and one or more vocal chamber ensembles.
Mentorship is offered in developing rehearsal techniques, conducting skills, and classroom teaching.
Interns are expected to demonstrate respect for diversity of identities and experiences, an orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency in all aspects of Academy life.
Interns live in campus housing and play a critical role in cultivating Exeter’s community-centered student dormitory life.
Interns are generally responsible for a minimum of one night of dormitory duty per week, and one weekend per month.
Interns are expected to participate in the school’s extracurricular activities (e.g. athletics, student clubs, community service, and the arts).