Conductor

We are a friendly group of musicians who enjoy making music and performing three or four concerts a year, based on four rehearsals and a rehearsal on the day of the concert.  We meet on Sunday afternoons in Stone from 2.30pm to 5.00pm, roughly fortnightly during term time. There are around thirty of us, according to programme and venue size. We play a wide range of music from Baroque, through standard Classical repertoire to 20th century composers.

We are now looking for a new conductor to join us who will help us achieve a standard that is a little higher than we think we are capable of. You should be flexible in your approach to programme planning and allow us to help you build on your existing conducting experience - as one of our previous conductors said, "conductors don't have an instrument to practise, they need an orchestra for that!". You should also have:

• Some experience of conducting amateur musicians and a desire to gain further experience
• Degree in music, or an equivalent qualification/knowledge
• Knowledge of appropriate repertoire to help plan our programmes
• Willingness to accommodate our pattern of rehearsals/concerts
• Good contacts with musicians to work with the orchestra as required
• the ability to engage with and inspire all sections of the orchestra.

• Excellent communication skills with orchestra members and audiences
• A sense of humour

Remuneration: The post does not come with a large salary!  We will pay a fee of £200 for each concert, including up to four prior rehearsals and a rehearsal on the day of the concert. The fee is to include expenses relating to all preparation for the relevant concert.

Application and Appointment Process

Please submit your CV with a covering statement outlining how you would seek to develop this role. If possible, please include a link to a video showing an example of your conducting (a link to YouTube or a similar video channel) or you may submit a short clip by email. All applications should be sent to staffschamberorch@gmail.com. If you have any questions or wish to see a copy of the Services Agreement, please request this from our email address.

The closing date for applications is midday on 5th May 2022.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by 12th May and will be invited to an audition and interview in Stone, to be held on a Sunday afternoon on 22nd May or 12th June (a third date may be added if necessary).  Each candidate will be asked to conduct two pieces which will be notified in advance (scores will be provided).