We’re Hiring

The Marching Artistic Director is responsible for shaping and leading QBAC’s marching ensemble through a season of musical excellence, community engagement, and joyful queer visibility. This role blends artistic leadership, pedagogy, program design, people leadership, and operational coordination to create an experience where members can thrive both musically and personally.

The ideal candidate understands that QBAC is more than a marching band. We are a community-centered LGBTQIA+ organization where members arrive with different goals, identities, experiences, and levels of musical training. Some come for music first. Some come for community first. The Marching Artistic Director embraces both realities and creates an environment where artistic rigor and belonging coexist.

Working closely with drum majors, section leaders, production staff, the Executive Director, board leadership, and members, the Marching Artistic Director develops and executes a season-long artistic vision that reflects QBAC’s mission, values, and commitment to inclusion. This position requires a collaborative leader who can inspire excellence, communicate clearly, navigate complexity, and build trust across a diverse community.

Artistic Vision and Program Leadership

• Develop and articulate a compelling artistic vision for the marching program that aligns with QBAC’s mission, values, and strategic priorities 
• Design and execute a complete season of artistic programming from initial concept through performance 
• Select repertoire, performance opportunities, and artistic experiences that support both musical excellence and community impact 
• Ensure performances are polished, cohesive, and reflective of the organization’s artistic and community goals 
• Foster connections with local communities, artistic organizations, and event partners to expand visibility, impact, and opportunities 
• Collaborate with organizational leadership to align artistic goals with broader organizational priorities and resources 
• Identify opportunities to expand audience engagement and increase accessibility of the marching program to new communities 

Rehearsal Design and Musical Leadership

• Plan and lead rehearsals that are structured, engaging, affirming, and effective 
• Develop clear rehearsal plans that move the ensemble toward performance readiness while maximizing limited rehearsal time 
• Provide clear, actionable musical instruction that is accessible to performers with varied backgrounds and experience levels 
• Translate artistic concepts into concrete teaching strategies and performance outcomes 
• Anticipate and proactively address musical, logistical, and operational challenges 
• Study scores, arrangements, and performance materials thoroughly in order to guide interpretation and execution 
• Create targeted instructional approaches to address technical, musical, visual, and ensemble challenges 
• Maintain high artistic standards while meeting members where they are and supporting their growth as performers 

Leadership, Culture, and Community Building

• Foster a rehearsal environment that is welcoming, affirming, accountable, and rooted in LGBTQIA+ community values
• Build authentic relationships with members, volunteers, and leaders through transparency, active listening, consistency, and trust 
• Collaborate effectively with drum majors, section leaders, artistic staff, and board leadership through a shared leadership approach 
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and feedback that helps leaders and members grow 
• Address interpersonal, musical, and cultural challenges directly, constructively, and respectfully 
• De-escalate issues in the moment when needed while ensuring more complex concerns are addressed thoughtfully and privately 
• Create an environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed and valued 
• Model accountability, humility, and a willingness to learn from feedback and lived experiences different from your own 

Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

• Apply an intersectional lens to all aspects of leadership, programming, and decision-making 
• Ensure members, leaders, and volunteers from historically marginalized communities have meaningful opportunities to participate and lead 
• Support a culture where LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, people of color, immigrants, and others with marginalized identities experience belonging and respect 
• Thoughtfully consider representation and inclusion in artistic programming, leadership development, and performance opportunities 
• Demonstrate a willingness to engage in ongoing learning around identity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion 
• Receive and apply feedback related to equity, inclusion, and leadership practices with openness and accountability 

Operational Leadership and Program Administration

• Maintain systems and processes that support the effective operation of the marching program 
• Coordinate attendance tracking, music distribution, rehearsal planning, timelines, and other administrative functions 
• Communicate proactively and consistently with members, leaders, staff, and board representatives 
• Partner with production volunteers and organizational leadership to ensure rehearsals and performances run smoothly 
• Balance artistic ambition with available resources, member capacity, and organizational realities 
• Meet established deadlines and maintain follow-through during high-volume periods leading up to performances 
• Adapt quickly to changing circumstances, including weather, attendance fluctuations, equipment challenges, venue changes, and other unexpected situations 

A Collaborative and Community-Centered Leader

You understand that great leadership is not about control – it is about creating the conditions for people to succeed. You approach leadership with a “power with” rather than “power over” mindset and understand how to bring others into decision-making, cultivate leadership in others, and create shared ownership of outcomes. You build trust through authenticity, transparency, follow-through, and accountability.

An Effective Teacher and Artistic Leader

You can take a musical concept and make it understandable, actionable, and achievable for performers with varying levels of experience. You know how to plan rehearsals, prioritize effectively, diagnose challenges, and move an ensemble forward. You maintain high standards while creating an environment where learning and growth are encouraged. 

Adaptable and Solutions-Oriented

You remain calm and effective when plans change. Whether facing weather disruptions, attendance fluctuations, equipment issues, or competing priorities, you can adapt without losing momentum. You balance preparation with flexibility and understand how to make thoughtful decisions with imperfect information. 

Equity-Focused and Reflective

You recognize that inclusion requires intentional action. You understand how identity, privilege, and systemic barriers affect people’s experiences within organizations and communities. You are committed to creating spaces where all members can thrive, and you are willing to examine your own assumptions, receive feedback, and continue growing as a leader.

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet every qualification listed below. We encourage applicants to apply if they believe they can be successful in this role.

• Experience directing, conducting, teaching, or leading a marching ensemble, concert ensemble, drum corps, athletic band, or similar performing arts organization 
• Experience developing and implementing artistic programs or performance seasons 
• Experience supervising, coaching, or mentoring volunteer or staff leaders 
• Demonstrated commitment to LGBTQIA+ communities and inclusive leadership 
• Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills 
• Experience working within volunteer-driven organizations preferred 
• Experience with community-based arts organizations, nonprofit organizations, or pride bands is a plus

This is a part-time role. The Marching Artistic Director is expected to attend and lead scheduled rehearsals, performances, leadership meetings, and planning activities throughout the marching season. Additional time will be required for artistic planning, communication, coordination, and preparation outside of rehearsal hours. The number of hours required per week fluctuates based on the time of year. For example, Pride season in June requires a larger percentage of hours per week than the winter months (December through February). Regardless, the Marching Artistic Director is compensated the same amount during each pay cycle.

Compensation for this position is $16,000 annually, paid on a bi-monthly schedule consistent with QBAC’s payroll practices. This is a stipend position and compensation is non-negotiable.

The Queer Big Apple Corps is an equal opportunity employer, and we strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. We do not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, immigration status, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, personal relationship status, family structure, religion, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, size, weight, or medical condition (including HIV) in any of its activities or operations.

We are especially committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Individuals who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, people with disabilities, and members of other marginalized or historically excluded communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply, please send both a resume and a cover letter to jobs@qbac.org.