Musical Director

About the London Gay Symphonic Winds

Founded in 2005, the London Gay Symphonic Winds (LGSW) is London’s premier LGBTQ+ symphonic wind ensemble made up of 50+ woodwind, brass, and percussion players.

LGSW is a mixed ability ensemble, with players ranging from circa Grade 5 through to professional musicians, and we strive to continually improve our performance standards. Our musical aim is to be both fun and challenging for our players, whilst providing quality entertainment for our audiences. We want to encourage our players to improve their musicianship in an enjoyable and supporting environment. LGSW plays a wide variety of music – past concerts have included programmes with a focus around large symphonic suites, Eurovision, folk music, video game themes, and music from the stage and screen.

As a proud LGBTQ+ group and a registered charity, we aim to provide a safe space for our community to come together to make great music and we welcome players of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We also are advocates for wider community causes, with one of our charitable aims being to raise money for LGBTQ+ and music-focused organisations.
In addition to our musical and charitable goals LGSW has a strong social and community focus, with regular drinks after rehearsals and other social gatherings.

LGSW’s annual programme typically includes:

● three major concerts per year (usually in May, October, and December)
● a community concert during LGBTQ+ History Month in February
● marching in the Pride in London Parade in June/July
● bandstand concerts during the summer months
● an annually alternating Away Day or weekend Band Camp with workshops, rehearsals, and often a performance - past Band Camp destinations have included Manchester, Brighton, Amsterdam and Chicago

We also have a smaller ensemble that can be hired for community and corporate events, although leading this is not generally a requirement of the Musical Director role.

LGSW rehearses most Thursday evenings from 7-9pm. We aim to have at least six rehearsals ahead of each concert, and we usually take a week’s break between concert programme rehearsal periods. The band also tends to take a month off over the summer, with rehearsals for marching, bandstands and the smaller ensemble scheduled as required. LGSW’s concert venues vary, with current locations including St Peter’s Vauxhall (also the rehearsal venue) and St Andrew’s Holborn.

The band is run by a Committee elected annually from the membership, to which the MD would report.

For more information please visit our website or the Charity Commission.

The Role

The Musical Director is a key position within the band and this person will take full responsibility for the organisation and execution of the musical aspects of running the group.

Key responsibilities of the Musical Director will include:

● conducting the programme in each of LGSW’s concerts and in any additional gigs that the band may perform
● advanced preparation for, and leadership of, rehearsals at a venue in central London
● leading sectional rehearsals where necessary (not usually outside of the standard rehearsal period)
● selecting concert repertoire and working with the Committee to ensure an appropriate and balanced programme in line with the ethos of the band – repertoire is planned in advance for the year ahead
● liaising regularly and in a timely manner with the Committee to ensure the smooth and effective running of the band
● making recommendations to the Committee on the direction and musical development of the band

The Musical Director must be able to attend weekly rehearsals on Thursdays between 7-9pm at avenue in central London, currently St Peter’s Church, Vauxhall. If for any reason the MD is not able to attend, they will work with the Committee to find appropriate cover. The MD is expected to conduct three major concerts per year and the community concert in February as a minimum, with commitment to other performances seen as highly desirable in a candidate.

The Person
LGSW’s Musical Director will be a skilled musician and conductor, able to bring the best out of the band and its members. They will have a strong understanding of, and appreciation for, the value of community music making and it is important that the successful candidate is either an ally or part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Further specific criteria are set out in the full Role Description

Other Information

This is a freelance position. LGSW is able to offer a fee for each major concert (three per year) with additional concerts paid at the discretion of the Committee. Further details are available on request.

There is also the potential for the appointment of a Deputy/Trainee MD to be agreed between the Committee and the Musical Director once in post.
Application and Selection Procedure Please apply in writing no later than Friday 15th December. Applications should be sent via email to the LGSW Committee at lgswcommitee@gmail.com. Your application should include:

● An up-to-date CV with details of all relevant experience and your contact information
● A short covering letter stating why you are interested in this post and explaining, in relation to the job description and person specification, why you believe you would be a suitable candidate

If you would like an informal chat before applying, please email lgswcommittee@gmail.com to set up a call with the Chair.

LGSW welcomes applications from those of any and all genders and gender identities, all sexual orientations, all ethnicities, and all social backgrounds. If you have any specific access requirements please let the Committee know in your application.

A shortlist selection will be made and successful candidates will be contacted shortly after the deadline. Selected candidates will initially be asked to have a 30 minute call with members of the Committee before being invited to audition on either Thursday the 4th or 11th of January 2024.

Candidates will be asked to lead the band for a portion of the rehearsal conducting a piece of standard repertoire as well as sight-reading a piece with the band. Candidates will be notified in advance of the standard piece of repertoire you will be asked to conduct. You will have the opportunity to see the sight-read piece 10 minutes before your scheduled audition.

The new MD will be expected to take up the post from mid-January 2024.