Choral Musical Director

Canbury Singers (registered charity 1182027) is a community-based choir in Kingston-Upon-Thames. Formed in 2007, as part of the Canbury Arts Trust, by a small group of locals who just wanted to sing, the choir has grown into a 50 strong group of enthusiastic and dedicated singers with a good reputation. Canbury Singers is an affiliated member of Making Music.

We are a friendly, fun-loving choir without an audition process comprising a range of members from sight readers to those re-starting singing after some years. We meet on a Monday night (8:30pm-10pm) and look to perform three concerts a year together with a few charity and Christmas events including two socials. Members have an eclectic musical interest ranging from choral, religious and secular to jazz and stage musical genres, European folk songs and sea shanties along the way. The choir is managed by an active committee who work closely with the Musical Director on repertoire and performance planning.

Responsibilities of the Musical Director

To select the music for all events in consultation with the committee

• To work with the committee to develop music plans for the year and to help explore the possibilities of performing with other ensembles
• To direct and conduct rehearsals
• To conduct up to three concerts to an agreed annual schedule (currently one in each of the autumn, spring and summer terms)
• To either conduct or find a suitable deputy for any extra performances in agreement with the committee
• To coach good vocal technique and choral practice as a fundamental part of rehearsals
• To book soloists and instrumentalists for concerts and to work with the budget available
• To work fluently with the accompanist and to enact a consistent approach to rehearsals if working in sectionals
• To ensure conducting cover for any absences from rehearsals
• To attend committee meetings in an advisory capacity
• To attend and present a performance review of the year at the AGM

Person specification

The successful candidate will be an excellent musician who must:

• Have proven experience of directing and conducting choral works
• Have a broad knowledge and appreciation of the tradition of the choral repertoire, both sacred and secular
• Be a sensitive and inspiring leader and an excellent communicator
• Be able to work with a community choir to bring the best out of them with tactfulness
• Be a team player and is able to work with the accompanist and committee
• Possess the ability to demonstrate and teach good vocal technique
• Possess a reasonable level of keyboard competency so as to enable a smooth sectional or solo rehearsal if without the support of the accompanist
• Be well organised
• Be sociable and be able to bring a good sense of humour

Pay

Renumeration is £99 for each ninety-minute rehearsal at a rate of £66 per hour.

Application

To apply and for further details please contact our secretary at sec@canburysingers.org. A cover letter accompanied by a full Curriculum Vitae should be sent by the closing date Sunday 18th June 2023.

The committee will shortlist applicants shortly after the application deadline. Full details of requirements for audition will be communicated to successful candidates. Auditions and interviews will take place in the evenings of Monday 3rd and Monday 10th July.

We are looking for the Musical Director to start September 2023.