Musical Director for South London Symphonic Winds

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the South London Symphonic Winds (SLSW), a group of dedicated and enthusiastic amateur musicians. We are a wind band of 35-40 members playing a wide range of classical arrangements, marches, popular music, and contemporary pieces. Our principal aim is to create an environment in which a diverse set of people of all ages and backgrounds have fun making music together through weekly rehearsals. We do not audition but we do recommend a minimum standard of Grade 5.

We are now looking to move into our next exciting chapter through the professional guidance of a new Musical Director. We are looking for someone to lead rehearsals and gigs, to curate the development of our repertoire and contribute to the musical philosophy of the band. The Musical Director will oversee the ongoing growth of the band, addressing a range of technical challenges essential for both rehearsals and performances.

The Musical Director will be committed to SLSW’s community ethos and place it at the heart of their musical leadership of the band.

SLSW performs regularly around London and further afield, this year playing at the London Marathon, Brighton Pavilion, the Great Get Together Festival at Borough Market and other local community events. Our winter concert will be at the Wheatsheaf Hall in Vauxhall. 

Rehearsals take place throughout the year on Thursday evenings between 7:30 and 9:30pm at our venue in Brixton.

SLSW is one of three musical ensembles under the umbrella charity South London Community Music.

Application is via CV and a covering letter showing significant experience in conducting, particularly working with adult community bands, as well as an in-depth knowledge of concert band material and conventions. These should be sent by 5pm on Sunday 31 December 2023 to southlondonsymphonicwinds@gmail.com. See here for the full job description.  

We will invite those shortlisted to an interview to be held in January 2024 as well as to conduct the band during a rehearsal as part of the selection process. We hope that the new Musical Director will take up the position from February 2024, or as soon as possible after that. 

The MD’s fee is currently set at £80 for each rehearsal, but this can be negotiated depending on experience. Remuneration for each public concert is £150.