Here are the key take-aways from this week’s meeting of the search committee.
- Outreach. Laura reported direct contact with and encouragement of a potential applicant.
- Board and chorus feedback.The group discussed the feedback we’ve received from Board and other chorus members after posting last week’s meeting notes, a summary of the chorus survey, and answers to questions posed to the committee. [These can be found nearby at the WVC Chorus website under the Members tab: AD Search.] The general sense is that the additional information has been welcome and reassuring. We also agreed to share search committee–approved candidate evaluation forms, audition criteria, and other process materials with the Board for feedback before finalizing them.
- Trial run of application evaluation process.In the past week, each committee member reviewed the application packages of two applicants. During our meeting, we discussed the effectiveness of the process and made a couple tweaks to the wording of the criteria. There was an interesting conversation led by Laura and Deb about what they are able to discern from watching a video of a conductor in action: what they look for and details they focus on. We agreed to share among the committee any pertinent information about candidates gleaned from online sources.
- Audition requirements form. The committee reviewed and discussed the detailed list of expectations that will be provided to potential applicants and made a couple necessary adjustments to the wording. We decided that the form will constitute the body of the letter sent to candidates, but that welcoming language fore and aft will pretty it up.
- Chorus response form.The committee took a preliminary look at the form that chorus members will use to evaluate candidates after the audition rehearsals. After considerable discussion of the merits and challenges of quantifying responses, Amy offered to consult with colleagues to determine the most effective way to collect quantitative data that will help inform the committee’s decision making. We will resume this discussion next week.
- NEXT WEEK:The search committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 15th, in our regular rehearsal space at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Because April 15this the deadline for applications, discussion topics will include the status of the search and the revised chorus response form.