Coordinator, Choral and Creative Performance

Job title : Coordinator, Choral and Creative Performance

The Coordinator, Choral and Creative Performance is responsible for providing artistic, instructional, programmatic, and supervision of the AUN Choir and the University’s spoken-word, poetry, dramatic reading, storytelling, and related live-performance initiatives. The position is responsible for developing and sustaining a vibrant, inclusive, disciplined, and high-performing creative arts programme that promotes student talent development, supports major University ceremonies and institutional events, celebrates Nigeria’s cultural heritage and diversity, and contributes to the visibility and distinctive identity of the American University of Nigeria as a development University.

DETAILED LISTING OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Recruit, audition, organize, develop, and retain a diverse and high-quality student choir.
• Plan and conduct regular choir rehearsals, vocal warm-ups, sectional practices, and individual coaching sessions as required.
• Select, arrange, and prepare appropriate sacred, secular, contemporary, classical, Nigerian, African, and international musical repertoire in accordance with the nature of each engagement and the University's institutional values.
• Develop students’ vocal technique, musicianship, stage discipline, confidence, teamwork, and overall performance readiness.
• Prepare and coordinate choir performances for Convocation, Pledge Ceremony, Founder’s Day, Commencement, official University visits, memorial services, interfaith occasions, community engagements, and other approved University programmes.
• Establish and maintain appropriate standards of musical excellence, rehearsal discipline, attendance, punctuality, and professional conduct.
• Identify, mentor, and coordinate students with interests and abilities in spoken word, poetry, dramatic readings, storytelling, recitation, and related creative-performance disciplines.
• Organize workshops, coaching sessions, and developmental activities designed to strengthen writing, interpretation, voice projection, movement, stage presence, confidence, and audience engagement.
• Develop and coordinate showcases, open-mic sessions, cultural presentations, and collaborative performances that provide students with meaningful opportunities to present original and published works.
• Integrate spoken-word and other appropriate creative performances into University ceremonies, public programmes, student activities, and approved community-engagement initiatives.
• Encourage creativity while ensuring that all performances remain consistent with University policies, values, standards of conduct, and applicable cultural considerations.
• Develop and maintain an annual calendar of choir, spoken-word, and creative-performance activities aligned with the University's academic and institutional events calendars.
• Coordinate performance requests, rehearsal schedules, venues, technical requirements, costumes, transportation, hospitality, and other logistical arrangements in collaboration with relevant University offices.
• Collaborate effectively with Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Marketing and Communications, Events, Facilities, Security, Information Technology, and other relevant offices and external partners.
• Ensure that all performances are adequately rehearsed, professionally executed, culturally appropriate, punctual, safe, and reflective of the University's standards of excellence.
• Maintain an organized and accessible repository of musical scores, scripts, arrangements, recordings, photographs, consent documentation, performance records, and other programme materials, with due regard for copyright and intellectual property requirements.
• Conduct post-event reviews and identify opportunities for continuous improvement in programme delivery.
• Foster an inclusive and supportive environment in which students from diverse cultural, religious, national, and experiential backgrounds can participate, develop their talents, and thrive.
• Develop student leadership through the establishment and effective supervision of choir officers, section leaders, peer mentors, production teams, and creative committees.
• Promote professionalism, reliability, mutual respect, academic responsibility, teamwork, and compliance with University policies and procedures.
• Utilize music and creative performance as platforms for strengthening school spirit, student belonging, intercultural understanding, and the distinctive institutional identity of AUN.
• Provide appropriate mentorship and developmental guidance to students participating in the programme.
• Represent the University at approved performances, cultural programmes, collaborative events, and community engagements.
• Establish and maintain appropriate relationships with schools, faith-based organizations, cultural institutions, non-governmental organizations, government agencies, universities, and other relevant external stakeholders.
• Identify suitable festivals, competitions, exchanges, workshops, masterclasses, and guest-artist opportunities that enhance student exposure and professional development.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to appropriately document and promote approved performances through authorized University communication channels.
• Support approved fundraising, sponsorship, grant, and partnership initiatives relating to choir and creative-performance programmes.
• Prepare annual work plans, programme proposals, activity schedules, budget submissions, equipment requests, and post-event reports.
• Ensure prudent and accountable utilization of approved programme resources and maintain accurate inventories of musical instruments, audio equipment, costumes, music, scripts, and other programme materials.
• Maintain accurate records of student participation, rehearsal attendance, performances, developmental activities, and other agreed programme indicators.
• Monitor programme expenditure and ensure that activities are implemented within approved budgets and in accordance with University procedures.
• Coordinate the engagement of accompanists, coaches, adjudicators, guest artists, technical personnel, and other service providers in accordance with applicable University policies and approved budgets.
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned or delegated by the supervisor.

Requirements for the position:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Music, Music Education, Theatre Arts, Performing Arts, English/Literature, Creative Arts, Fine Arts, or another closely related discipline from a recognized University. A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline will be an added advantage.
• Relevant professional certifications, specialized training, or recognized professional qualifications in choral direction, music performance, theatre, creative arts, or related fields will be advantageous.
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience in choir direction, music instruction, performing arts, theatre, spoken-word programming, creative arts, student activities, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrable experience in directing or coordinating a choir, vocal ensemble, theatre group, spoken-word programme, or multidisciplinary creative-performance programme.
• Proven experience in planning and delivering rehearsals, performances, workshops, student-development programmes, and live events.
• Demonstrated experience working with university students, young adults, educational institutions, or comparable youth-focused programmes.
• Experience coordinating performance logistics, including venues, technical requirements, scheduling, costumes, transportation, equipment, and event support.
• Experience working within a multicultural or diverse educational, professional, or community environment will be an advantage.

Other requirements/abilities for the position:

• Strong artistic vision and creative-performance leadership.
• Sound musical, theatrical, or performance direction capabilities.
• Strong student mentorship and talent-development skills.
• Creativity, innovation, cultural awareness, and sensitivity.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation, and relationship-management skills.
• Strong planning, organizational, coordination, and time-management abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, University leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Professionalism, integrity, accountability, discretion, adaptability, and sound judgment.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet demanding event schedules.
• Strong commitment to student development, inclusion, and institutional excellence.