Program Assistant

Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir) is a non‑profit organization that empowers and unites youth from diverse backgrounds to find their voice and celebrate their common humanity through the power of music. Founded at the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement on the South Side of Chicago, the organization has grown from one choir to a vast network of school‑based and after‑school programs serving thousands of youth ages 6 through 18 from every zip code of Chicago.

Uniting Voices is a civic treasure and model for culturally responsive music education. Since 1956, the organization has built programs that reflect the racial and economic diversity of Chicago. 80% of the youth it serves are from low to moderate‑income households, and the vast majority of students participate free of charge. High school seniors enrolled in Uniting Voices Chicago programs have a 100% high school graduation and college acceptance rate, and go on to become global ambassadors who embody the core values of education, expression, and excellence in a wide array of professional fields.

Program Assistants for Uniting Voices Chicago serve a vital role as part of our program team. They have the unique opportunity to work with singers in Neighborhood Choir Programs throughout the city of Chicago, inclusive of families from a wide variety of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Program Assistants are responsible for all non‑musical aspects related to the Neighborhood Choir(s) to which they are assigned.

Program Assistants work closely with the Conductor of their Neighborhood Choir to gather important information that is then communicated to singers and their families. Program Assistants are present for all rehearsals, concerts, and events related to their Neighborhood Choir. Program Assistants play a vital role in engaging with the community that they serve. Currently, Uniting Voices Chicago has openings for a Program Assistant in the following communities:
Hyde Park, Austin, Englewood, Prelude (Lincoln Park and Hyde Park); preference will be given to applicants who are familiar with or connected to this community.

The Neighborhood Choir program provides beginning, intermediate, and advanced choral training to over 800 students with treble voices in 3rd grade and up through programs in 12 Chicago neighbourhoods. Neighborhood Choirs meet two times per week, with some programs having one weeknight rehearsal and one Saturday rehearsal, while others have two weeknight rehearsals. Program Assistants provide regular coverage for all assigned choirs and attend all concerts and events.

Office hours are also scheduled to complete administrative tasks.

• Be a strong advocate and ambassador for the mission and legacy of Uniting Voices
• Chicago by welcoming new families, maintaining strong relationships with current families, assisting with recruitment, and attending community events.
• Supervise singers before and after rehearsals to ensure all singers are safe and well‑behaved.
• Supervise singers' arrival and dismissal at all rehearsals and concerts. Plan to arrive thirty minutes prior to rehearsal and leave thirty minutes after rehearsal ends.
• Communicate regularly with community partners to ensure the best possible experiences for all stakeholders.
• Send weekly emails to families with pertinent information such as schedules and upcoming events.
• Assist with tour accounting and attend the annual tour in the Spring. Tours are National and usually span three to four days.
• Distribute flyers for fundraisers, events, and other Uniting Voices Chicago activities.
• Communicate effectively with families to foster deep and meaningful relationships with Uniting Voices Chicago.
• Maintain strong relationships with singers and families to ensure continued participation throughout the year. Give detailed reports when a singer discontinues participation.

• Collect and track registration and attendance, and report updates to the conductor and office regularly.
• Create monthly calendars in a timely manner, submit to the office…