Musical Director Vacancy

Abingdon Concert Band, founded in 1977, is a dynamic, friendly community wind band with a membership of 50-60 wind, brass and percussion players. We rehearse in Abingdon once a week on a Thursday evening from 8-10pm in term time

The Band enjoys playing a wide range of musical styles (original music, films, musicals, classical, rock, pop and more) across a range of difficulties often with a more challenging feature piece within a concert. The Band usually puts on two or three self-promoted concerts a year, along with some smaller outdoor summer events and carolling at Christmas.

We take music from our extensive library, but we also enjoy discovering new music, for which we have a healthy annual budget.

We really enjoy playing together and our rehearsals have a relaxed and friendly feel, whilst remaining productive.

We are a social band, and we try to get together once a term outside rehearsal time for a social to catch up and spend time together. Past socials include meals out, picnics in the park, a quiz and trips to the Proms.

Our outgoing musical director, Neil Brownless, has released the following announcement about his time with the Band:

“I am very sad about leaving Abingdon Concert Band after 11 years. They gave me my first Musical Director position. The band have really helped me grow as a conductor and I've made lots of lifelong friends there (including my wife). They are a receptive band to work with, and with them I took the band to the National Concert Band Festival in 2019 and 2023 achieving Gold four times at both regional and nationals, and amongst a string of themed concerts, I am proud that together we have performed in sold out performances of The Snowman, and a joint concert with a local dance school featuring a fantastic performance of Riverdance. I will miss the band but I'm sure I will pop up with them regularly as a dep.”

The Band is very much looking forward to working with a new Musical Director and seeing what the future holds!

Applicants should email their details and conducting/music CV to chair@abingdonconcertband.org.uk by 9am on Monday 2 September 2024.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a trial session conducting the band on 12 or 19 September 2024. Selection will be made by early October and the new appointment will start from 7 November 2024. 

Read the full job description and person specification