Music Director for Bristol Chamber Choir

Due to the retirement of our Musical Director of ten years, we are now looking to appoint a new Music Director to continue to lead this historic choir, which can boast Robert Lucas de Pearsall as a founder member of what was then the Bristol Madrigal Society, all the way back in 1837.

The society started singing madrigals in a pub in Cotham and has grown and endured to become the Bristol Chamber Choir. As a choir we still remember Pearsall and the madrigals he loved and we have sung much of that music, but now with the addition of a much broader range of repertoire as well. We are still primarily unaccompanied and always aim for a high standard, whilst maintaining the ethos of acceptance, fun and friendship that keeps our members faithful and engaged with the choir for (literally) decades.

We are an auditioned choir of some thirty experienced singers, who perform at least six concerts per annum of music ranging from madrigals and early sacred music through to 20th century and contemporary compositions.  As well as a cappella, we often perform with soloists and small chamber ensembles.

We are seeking a qualified and experienced Music Director, with the leadership skills to inspire and develop the choir’s musical and vocal abilities, achieving a high level of performance.

We welcome applications from experienced conductors who:

• Have experience of working with auditioned amateur or professional choral groups, being experienced singers and competent keyboard players, but who do not rely too heavily on the piano or keyboard
• Have a good knowledge of chamber choral repertoire, particularly a love of Early music, but also the desire to perform contemporary works, mostly unaccompanied
• Are able to engage and inspire choir members at rehearsals, setting high standards
• Are able to plan varied and interesting concert programmes
• Have a positive approach, patience and a sense of humour – this is essential!
• Ideally, have experience of working with professional soloists and instrumentalists

We rehearse on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm in term time near Whiteladies Road, Bristol. Performances are usually in or near Bristol, mostly at weekends, with an occasional weeknight evening concert.  For more information about the choir including a job description and person specification, please see our website at: https://www.bristolchamberchoir.org.uk   Remuneration will be negotiable and paid per term, set according to experience and qualifications.

For further information, please email info@bristolchamberchoir.org.uk.  To apply, please email a CV with the names of two referees, as well as a covering letter, to the same email address by 30 April 2021.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on Zoom, or in person if feasible, after which those selected will be asked to attend an audition with the choir when restrictions permit, hopefully in the summer term or in September.