Musical Director

Introduction 

The Liverpool Renaissance Singers invite applications for the position of Musical Director, to take up the post no later than 30th April, 2025.  Comprising approximately 25 mixed voices and established in 1965, the choir specialises in mainly unaccompanied music spanning the late mediaeval to early Baroque period. 

Rehearsals take place at St. Nicholas, Liverpool’s Parish Church at the Pier Head on Wednesday evenings during term-time from 7.30 - 9.30 pm.  Recitals are given at Christmas, Easter and in the summer term.  The music is often performed again at a different venue in Merseyside or further afield.  The choral items in our recitals are usually interspersed with instrumental items.  All members of the choir read music and some are able to sing solos. Auditions are held at the Musical Director’s discretion for new members. 

We regard ourselves as a friendly group of singers who wish to achieve a high standard of performance whilst enjoying making music together.  Next year we are coming up to sixty years of singing early music on Merseyside. 

We are looking for a Musical Director who shares our interest in Renaissance music and who will wish to perform works of the early 14th to early 17th century.  Above all, we hope to appoint someone who will be able to develop our singing abilities and at the same time continue to make our rehearsals a pleasurable and rewarding experience. 

Job Description 

The Musical Director will have the following responsibilities: 

• To rehearse the choir and prepare for up to six recitals across the three terms.   This may include the occasional liturgical performance. 

• To conduct those concerts 

• To work with the Committee to prepare musical programmes for the coming season, through a planning session in the summer  

• To provide the Committee with all details reasonably required for producing programmes and publicity material 

Skills and Abilities 

Essential 

The Musical Director will 

• Have excellent conducting skills and musicality 

• Be a skilled vocal coach able to develop choral technique in others 

• Have extensive knowledge of the Renaissance repertoire 

• Have the ability to devise an inspiring and balanced programme 

• Enjoy working with people of differing abilities and be able to develop a good rapport 

• Be able to work cooperatively and constructively with a committee 

Desirable 

• Be able to play piano/organ to accompany the choir in rehearsal if needed 

• Integrate and develop a relationship with the local musical community 

Outline terms of appointment 

• The Musical Director will enter into a self-employed contract for the provision of his/her services 

• Remuneration will be between £3,250 and £4,250 per annum depending on experience  

Appointment Process 

• The closing date for applications is 27th November, 2024. 

• Application is to the Chairman by email or letter accompanied by CV, including the names and contact details of two referees, and a suggestion for a summer programme that would not exceed one and a half hours (including an interval of fifteen minutes). 

• Those long-listed will be invited for interview on Wednesday, 11th December. 

• Short-listed applicants will be invited to conduct the choir in rehearsal on Wednesday, 8th January 2025. 

• The successful candidate should take up the post no later than 30th April 2025. 

Please send a letter or email of application along with your CV to Christopher Smale, Chairman, Liverpool Renaissance Singers, 55 Heathbank Avenue, Irby, Wirral, CH61 4XY or postmaster@thesmales.plus.com 

For further information please ring the Chairman on 0151-648-4944 and see http://www.liverpoolrenaissancesingers.org  or Facebook page.