Musical Director

Exeter Choral Society wishes to recruit an experienced, enthusiastic Musical Director who shares our love of great choral music and will bring their own energy, inspiration, and creativity to the choir. This position has become available due to the retirement of our current MD, who has served since 2008.

About our choir:

We are a friendly, amateur, non-auditioned mixed-voice (SATB) choir (with charity status) of around 70 singers. The choir was formed around 80 year ago (previously called Whipton Choral Society). The choir has a small team of committee members to help the choir achieve its aims.

We currently perform two concerts per year (Spring and Autumn), split into two terms (January to April and September to December each year), singing sacred music. We have a regular accompanist and rehearse on Tuesday evenings during our term 7.15 pm - 9.15 pm.

About the role/responsibilities:

• In consultation with the committee, programme, plan, and schedule appropriate repertoire in a timely manner, within the allocated budget.
• Assist the choir librarian to obtain appropriate music.
• Liaise with accompanist as necessary.
• Draw up appropriate rehearsal schedules.
• Prepare for and lead rehearsals, coaching the vocal and musical development of the choir as appropriate.
• Recruit orchestra, instrumentalists and soloists as required to support the choir’s concerts and negotiate their payments within allocated budget.
• Prepare all expected costs of orchestra, hired instruments, instrumentalists, and soloists to choir treasurer for approval of the committee.
• Liaise with soloists and choir treasurer to facilitate performance payments.
• Prepare for and conduct the choir and hired musicians in dress-rehearsals and performances (concerts).
• Liaise with the concert manager as appropriate.
• Advise committee and concert manager on viable concert venues.
• Attend committee meetings (in person or remotely).
• Prepare MD’s report for AGM.
• Prepare concert feedback for choir.
• Submit MD’s invoices to choir Treasurer post-concert.
• Plan and prepare occasional ‘Singing Mornings’ as part of our ongoing recruitment drives, to attract other singers in our area (usually one a year).
• Undertake other duties commensurate to the role, as required.

Essential Criteria 

1. 1. Talented musician with an established record of choral and orchestral direction.
   2. Excellent communication skills and a positive approach.
   3. Can teach music effectively to a mixed group (from non-music readers to the very experienced).
   4. Can connect with, encourage, and challenge the choir in a positive, supportive, and enjoyable way.
       

Desirable Criteria 

1. Experience working with choirs at a high standard.
2. Experience in organisation and planning of events.

Salary/honorarium:

Salary paid over two payments post concerts, details on request.

How to apply:

Please send your CV and supporting statement detailing your skills and experience and why you are interested in the role, along with details of 2 referees to our Secretary exeterchoralsociety@gmail.com We will only approach your referees if you are shortlisted. Closing date is Tuesday 4 April 2023.

Shortlisted candidates will be informed by Friday 7 April 2023 and will be asked:

• To attend an informal interview with the recruitment panel on 17 or 18 April 2023
• To prepare a sample budget-based task (in Excel) prior to interview.
• To lead a choir rehearsal warm-up and teach a piece of music unknown to the choir (maximum half an hour) on Tuesday 18 April 2023.

Subject to satisfactory references, the successful applicant will then be informed by 30 April 2023 and expected to take up the post from 1 May 2023 in readiness for start of rehearsals starting September 2023. The award will be subject to a probationary period of one year.

Further information about Exeter Choral Society is available on our website www.exeterchoral.co.uk