Executive Director

Founded in 1978, the Hickory Choral Society (HCS) is an all-volunteer auditioned choir of approximately 100 singers from Hickory and the surrounding area that offers a variety of performances for the Catawba Valley region of western North Carolina. Founding conductor J. Don Coleman (recently named Conductor Emeritus), served as artistic director/conductor for 42 years until his retirement in 2019. During his tenure, HCS performed many major works and toured and performed in Europe and at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 2013, HCS commissioned composer Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living, a work that has now been performed over 1,000 times on six continents. 

Dr. Ryan Luhrs, the Director of Choral Activities at Lenoir Rhyne University, joined HCS as its

Artistic Director and Conductor in 2020. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020-2021 season was entirely virtual – meetings, rehearsals and even concerts were held over the Internet, with singers safe in their respective homes. The choir returned to in-person performances during the 2021-2022 season and embarked on a strategic planning process for the first time in the organization’s history.

The Hickory Choral Society is a North Carolina non-profit corporation and has been designated as a charitable organization under chapter 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We are funded primarily through an annual membership drive, allocations from Arts Culture Catawba, program ads, grants, and donations.  The operation of HCS is vested in its board of directors. The Artistic Director, Associate Conductor, and Executive Director are employees hired by HCS and are supervised by the Board of Directors.

OUR MISSION: Hickory Choral Society transforms lives through performance, support of music education, and the advancement of social harmony in the North Carolina Foothills and beyond.

OUR VISION: Inspiring, Educating and Connecting through Song

POSITION SUMMARY: The Executive Director (ED) provides management of administrative, financial, and operational activities for the Hickory Choral Society (HCS), its Board of Directors, Artistic Director, singers, contributing members, and vendors.  In partnership with the Artistic Director, the ED serves as the face of the organization to the community and serves as a liaison with other organizations. The ED attends Board meetings to provide support and answer questions, but is not a voting member of the Board.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Manages all communications, including written, telephonic, and electronic communication, and responds to same in a timely and appropriate manner
• Manages all financial activity, including direct supervision of the bookkeeping function; processes payroll; ensures timely and accurate submission of all federal and state quarterly taxes and annual tax statement and provides requested information to the external accountant for year-end submission of annual 990 report; assists with creation of the annual budget
• Executes fundraising efforts of the organization, including the annual membership drive, grant writing, special events, and underwriting.  Coordinates marketing and advertising, program ad processes, and publicity efforts (print and digital)
• Coordinates concert activities with the Artistic Director and Properties Manager
• Executes Board-approved contracts as needed
• Maintains a manual detailing all procedures (Procedure Manual) performed by office personnel and adjunct volunteers, including but not limited to procedures provided by the Properties Manager, Music Librarian, and others as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors
• In connection with the Procedure Manual, creates and maintains a shared central calendar of HCS events and timely coordinates volunteers as needed to carry out related tasks
• Secures music copyright permissions as requested by the Artistic Director and oversees payment of any required royalties
• Manages website and software platforms
• Attends HCS Board meetings to provide support and answer questions
• Attends the SALT Block Tenants and Arts Culture Catawba Affiliate meetings to represent HCS and serve as the HCS liaison to the respective boards of directors
• Assists and supports singers, contributing members, and vendors
• Supports committee chairs as needed
• Other office financial and operational duties as requested by the President of the Board or the Artistic Director

The above list is not all-inclusive.  Other responsibilities may be identified in the course of work routines and therefore be required.  

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum bachelor’s degree (4 years) or equivalent work experience; or a combination of both
• Prior non-profit work experience or equivalent business experience; or a combination of both
• Prior accounting/bookkeeping experience; knowledge of QuickBooks preferred
• Prior marketing and/or public relations experience preferred
• Knowledge of area arts/culture organizations preferred
• Ability to work independently to complete tasks and multi-task, especially during concert season
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and experience with social media platforms; knowledge of WordPress (web content management system) preferred
• Ability to demonstrate tact, maturity, discernment, and confidentiality in operations
• Experience/familiarity with musical terms, scores and orchestration is a huge plus

SCHEDULE

The current weekly office schedule is Monday-Thursday from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm; however, this schedule may be adjusted as needs are identified.

During the HCS rehearsal and performance season, the ED’s schedule will also include 30 minutes prior to the start of rehearsals (typically 6:30pm-7:00pm).  During concert performance weeks, summer choral camp, retreats and various other events, the work schedule will be adjusted according to need and agreed upon in advance with the Board of Directors.  The expectation is that, on an annual basis, this position will average 20 hours per week. 

ACCOUNTABILITY

This position is under the direct supervision of the President of the Board and is accountable to the full Board of Directors.

APPLICATIONS

Please submit a cover letter and resume by March 15, 2026 to personnelhcs@yahoo.com.