Open University Orchestra Music Director

Open University Orchestra: Music Director

We are looking for an experienced Music Director to lead and inspire a committed daytime symphony orchestra in Milton Keynes. Our players range from good amateurs to semi-professionals, and we have regularly rehearsing horns and brass. For concerts, the orchestra is around 60 players strong.

The orchestra gives free 1-hour lunchtime public concerts in October and May which are well attended with programmes drawn mostly from 19th and 20th century classical repertoire. Our popular 1-hour lunchtime schools’ events (introducing the orchestra and playing excerpts or whole pieces to local school children) are usually in November and March.

There are normally three 1-hour Friday lunchtime rehearsals and one 3-hour Sunday afternoon rehearsal per month. This pattern is not absolutely regular, and some flexibility with scheduled dates may be required as dates/venues occasionally change at short notice due to the University’s priorities. We normally rehearse in school term time only, and do not meet in August. The Music Director is not usually required in December.

We are an inclusive orchestra and follow the ethos of The Open University in running the orchestra. The University supports the orchestra with funding and provision of rehearsal / concert space.

To request further particulars for this post or to have an informal conversation about it, please email OUOrchestraCommittee@groups.open.ac.uk. Application is by letter and CV which should be sent by email to OUOrchestraCommittee@groups.open.ac.uk by midday on Friday 19 January 2024. Interviews will be held at a mutually agreed time during February 2024 and auditions will be held on Sunday 19 May 2024 at The Open University campus, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA.

We hope the successful applicant will start as OUO Music Director in June 2024.