Music Director

Putney Choral Society, founded in 1947, is a sociable, non-auditioned, lively choir.  It has a reputation for the quality of its performances and its friendly, welcoming appeal to members and to audiences. The choir is committed to ensuring that it is open to all those who enjoy singing, can follow a score and sing in tune. Its members are singers of varying ages and abilities. Membership is by subscription.  The choir is largely funded by subscriptions supplemented by concert ticket sales and donations.

There are two major concerts a year in winter and spring, with professional orchestra and soloists, and an informal concert before the summer break.  Other events are arranged as appropriate during the year. The choir rehearses on Monday evenings during school terms, at Putney High Junior School.  

The choir’s strength is founded on singing classical music of all kinds combined with a breadth of approach that includes special commissions, contemporary music, opera selections and lighter music.  A commitment to good preparation through a mutually respectful, warm relationship with the Music Director is key to sustaining that strength. 

The choir resumed in-person rehearsals in September 2021 after the Covid hiatus. Though numbers were inevitably reduced there was a small influx of new members and morale was high. In December 2021 a concert performance of ‘Messiah’ was rated one of the best ever by both musicians and audience members. 

The choir has charitable status and there is a hard working and well organised committee (most of whom are also trustees of the charity).

Christopher Braime, the current Music Director (and only the second in the choir’s history) is leaving and PCS is therefore looking to appoint a new Music Director, to start in September 2022.

We are looking for our new music director to:

• Supply committed, energetic and imaginative musical leadership, to maintain the choir’s long-standing music reputation and its friendly and welcoming appeal. 
• Have experience of rehearsing and conducting a mixed ability choir and be capable of conducting a varied repertoire of music. 
• Take all rehearsals and to find a deputy should absence be unavoidable. 
• Conduct the choir’s performances. 
• Have experience of conducting an orchestra, and working with professional soloists, singers and musicians, and to be responsible for the hiring of good orchestral musicians and solo performers, as required.
• Plan and execute the musical programme, within the financial constraints of the choir’s resources, and in consultation with the choir committee.   The programme should aim to cover a minimum two-year period. 
• In consultation with the committee, and always keeping the choir members themselves involved, to select a varied and interesting programme of music which will appeal to existing members as well as attract new ones and encourage a good audience at concerts. 
• Work with the choir to improve their musical ability. 
• Make appropriate use of communication technology to further the aims of the choir. 
• Attend trustee meetings in an advisory capacity when appropriate.

Application process

To apply please send an email to info@putneychoralsoc.org.uk attaching a resumé and a brief summary of why you are interested in the role and what you think you can bring to it.

Closing date for applications is Sunday 20th February, 10.00pm.

The Committee’s aim is to arrange in-person interviews with short listed candidates, to be held between 28th Feb and 21st March.  Two or possibly three individuals will then be asked to take the choir for a short rehearsal session, provisionally on Monday 28th March, with the process concluding by early April.  This plan may change as circumstances and availability dictate.