Musical Director

New Bristol Sinfonia is one of the leading amateur symphony orchestras in the UK.  Founded in 1997, we typically put on 3-4 concerts a year in various large venues in and around Bristol. We have recently fostered an association with a prestigious local school who arrange gala concerts with illustrious soloists.

The orchestra is a registered charity and as such seeks primarily to educate, by playing a balanced mix of popular and lesser-known works and through audience engagement initiatives such as pre-concert talks and in-concert introductions to each piece. Membership is by audition in order to maintain a high standard. The orchestra has worked with soloists such as Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Natalie Clein (cello), Madeline Mitchell (violin), Rafal Zambrzycki Payne (violin), Guy Johnston (cello), Yuanfan Yang (piano) and Mandy Burvill (clarinet). Our focus is on large-scale symphonic repertoire from the 19th century onwards, including recently-composed works and we have premiered a number of works, such as Shumei, Shumei by Geoff Poole. We are always open to new challenges.

The role

We are looking for a new Musical Director to start in the 2024 season, to help us continue to achieve a recognised position of excellence and quality within the city of Bristol’s musical life. The initial appointment would be for a trial period of one year, with a view to the position being extended by mutual agreement. In future seasons it may be that a guest conductor would be invited to conduct on occasions. Fee available on application (paid per concert). Note the fee does not include additional travel expenses – all rehearsals and concerts are in Bristol, UK.

Key aspects of the role would include:

• Rehearsing the orchestra (typically four Wednesday evenings, one Sunday full day and one Friday evening in the month prior to each concert)
• Conducting the three/four concerts for the 2024 season
• Working with the orchestra committee to select repertoire for the year’s programme
• Assisting with the identification of suitable soloists
• Working with the orchestra committee to fulfil our charitable aims, such as delivering the pre-concert talk (c. 20-30 mins) before each concert

The vacancy arises as our current Musical Director, Jonathan Lo, is moving on after nine years in post to take on an exciting new role as Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Australian Ballet.

Additional information about the orchestra, including repertoire previously performed, press reviews and excerpts from previous concerts can be found on our website and social media. We aim to attract applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we particularly welcome applicants from groups who are under-represented in the orchestral conducting world.

Application by CV, covering letter and a link to a video of you conducting (posted online, e.g. via YouTube). Any videos longer than 10 minutes will not be considered beyond the 10-minute mark. Send applications to NBSConductorRole@gmail.com by Friday 3rd March 2023, with auditions to be held on 21st May 2023. Please send informal enquiries to Diana Lee via NBSConductorRole@gmail.com.