Musical Director POST FILLED

Job Description

Paisley Philharmonic Choir have a vacancy for a new Musical Director (M.D.). It is anticipated that the new M.D. will start in August 2022 when the choir season begins.

The objectives of the choir are:

To develop and encourage the study, performance and appreciation of musical works in and around the local community. We encourage young people to participate in choral music by waiving annual subscriptions for those in full time education and regularly involve the music departments of local schools and soloists from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to perform alongside us in our charity concerts.

Our expectations of a Musical Director:

• Appropriate background in music, teaching and working with SATB choirs, accompanists, soloists and instrumentalists.
• Wide knowledge of and the ability to choose imaginative and engaging concert programmes (and concert venues, in consultation with the committee) with broad audience appeal, within the choir budget.
• Planning a whole season in advance, in consultation with the committee and accompanist.
• Ability to motivate and foster the development of an enthusiastic group of amateur singers.
• Proactive in promoting the growth of the choir, both musically and numerically.
• Experience in engaging and liaising with (occasional) soloists and instrumentalists within the choir budget.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, including willingness to work in partnership with the committee and accompanist. This may involve attending occasional meetings.
• Available for two terms per annum, approx. mid August to mid December and January to May.
• The M.D. would be expected to take all rehearsals but in the event that he/she be unable to attend it would be their responsibility to find a suitable alternative.

Remuneration:

£80 per session (around 34 sessions per annum) and £250 per concert (inclusive of afternoon rehearsal). Occasional charity concerts will be at the discretion of the new MD - these were previously unpaid.

The successful applicant would be engaged on a self-employed basis, being responsible for their own tax/NI contributions.

About the choir:

We are an SATB chorus of around 45 members rehearsing weekly on Tuesday evenings (7.30-9.30pm) at Paisley South Church, 123 Rowan Street, Paisley.

Pre-pandemic we performed around four concerts a year – one charity concert (on request) and three for our own benefit (December, March, May).

We perform sacred and secular choral works as well as a variety of other genres of music such as light opera and songs from musicals. We have an extensive music library which we also lend from in order to raise money for choir funds.

We have an elected committee which supports the M.D. and oversees the running and organisation of the choir. We are registered with the Scottish Charities Commission.

For more information, see paisleyphilharmonicchoir.co.uk