Musical Director

Carlisle Community Choir is looking to appoint a Musical Director from September 2022. The person we are looking for will be skilled, enthusiastic, and dedicated and will encourage and challenge the choir in a positive and enjoyable way.

Carlisle Community Choir was formed in 2012 and is open to everyone regardless of singing experience or ability to read music. This SATB choir numbers over 80 members and sings a wide variety of musical styles. We rehearse every Sunday from 3.30pm to 5.30pm in Carlisle, Cumbria, with a longer summer break during the summer and shorter breaks over both Christmas and Easter. During the Pandemic the choir rehearsed via Zoom and is now back to in – person rehearsal.

The choir usually gives annual concerts in December and June of each year and takes part in many other local events and performances by invitation. The choir strives to deliver performances of the highest standard we can achieve and has taken part with success in Choir of the Year, Manchester Amateur Choral Competition and the Carlisle Music Festival, where the choir won their class in 2018.

The choir is this year celebrating its 10th Anniversary which, along with some smaller social events, will culminate in a special anniversary concert to be held in Carlisle in October 2022.

The person we are looking for will have -

1. Experience of working with a large choir of varying musical experiences, the ability to explain things in different ways and motivate a large group of people made up of all abilities.
2. Wide knowledge of choral repertoire in a variety of styles and the ability to select an appropriate range of music for the choir to sing.
3. The ability to challenge and develop the choir and our performances in an enjoyable and productive way.
4. A firm commitment to the choir, our rehearsals and our performances.
5. Experience of working with a committee and the commitment to work together with our proactive committee to achieve the best for the choir.
6. The ability to conduct rehearsals and plan an effective rehearsal schedule over the season to deliver performances of a high standard.
7. The ability to work proactively with those accompanying the choir, including our own accompanist and those who cover on occasion. This may include the potential development of less experienced accompanists.
8. Connections with other professional musicians and singing teachers who might work with the choir at appropriate points such as: singing development days, MD cover or accompanist cover etc

Remuneration:

The role will attract an hourly rate of £45 and reasonable travel expenses will also be paid in addition to this fee. The successful candidate will be engaged as an independent contractor and as such will be responsible for all income tax liabilities and National Insurance or similar contributions.

The successful candidate will have a probationary period of one year with the hope to extend this further.

To apply:

Applications should be sent to carlislecommunitychoir@hotmail.com by the closing date of Friday 27th May 2022 at Midday. Applications should include a current CV and a covering letter outlining  their vision for the choir and also how they meet the criteria outlined above. Any further information can be obtained by emailing the above email address.

Interviews and auditions will be held on Sunday 12th June 2022 in Carlisle.

The post will commence in September 2022 with potential earlier additional opportunities during the Summer, subject to planning and the availability of the new MD.