Music Director

Ledbury Choral Society is a small, friendly group of about 60 singers.  The choir is open to everyone and is not auditioned.  It includes a mixture of abilities.  Rehearsals take place on Thursday evenings at the Baptist Church in The Homend, Ledbury, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. The choir presents two or three major concerts a year in Ledbury and often has other events such as workshops or ‘come and sing’ days.  The choir is active in the local community and takes part in community activities of various sorts – recently this has included a Civic Service (September 2018), Remembrance Sunday ceremonies, carol singing for the residents of Leadon Bank, and carols at Eastnor Castle (as part of the fundraising efforts for Eastnor Church).

We sometimes join with other choirs, such as Newent Choral Society and Bromyard Choral Society, to perform larger scale works.  Major choral concerts in recent years have included:

• Haydn Nelson Mass and Vivaldi Gloria
• Chilcott Requiem with Monteverdi Beatus Vir and Handel O Come Let Us Sing
• Mendelssohn Elijah with Newent Choral Society
• Elgar The Kingdom with Bromyard Choral Society
• Brahms German Requiem

There is a full list, together with general information about the choir, on our website: https://ledburychoral.btck.co.uk/.

The choral society has been fortunate to have as its Music Director Malcolm Macleod, an experienced choral singer and trainer and an accomplished organist, who has been with us since 2005.  Malcolm is due to step down after the summer of 2019 and we are looking for a new Music Director from September 2019.

The Music Director is an ex officio member of the choral society’s organising committee, which oversees concert planning, publicity, ticket sales and finances. The Musical Director attends all committee meetings and has a vote on the committee except in respect of payment of his/her fees.

The responsibilities of the Musical Director include:

• To plan repertoire in consultation and agreement with the committee
• To take weekly rehearsals and work to improve the choir’s musical delivery, technique etc
• To conduct all concerts and performances
• To select and engage soloists and advise on any instrumental requirements for concerts
• To attend committee meetings as an ex officio member of the committee (usually three or four times a year)
• To attend and report to the AGM
• To be the public face of the choir and be willing to engage with the local community, promotional activities, interviews etc

Essential qualifications include:

• Experience of directing and conducting choral works
• Knowledge of a wide range of choral music
• Ability to communicate enthusiasm, passion and encouragement to the choir
• A firm, diplomatic, and tactful approach to choir members of varying abilities
• Ability and readiness to work in collaboration with the committee

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview in April 2019 and will be asked to conduct part of a choir rehearsal in early May.

If you would like any more information, please e mail Sharon Smith, Secretary, sharonl260@sky.com.

We welcome applications up to and including March 31st 2019.  Please apply with a CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.  Please send applications by e mail to Sharon Smith, Secretary, sharonl260@sky.com.