Conductor / Music Director

Halesowen Orchestra is looking for a new Conductor / Music Director to take up the position in September 2017. We currently have around 40 members and rehearse regularly on Monday evenings during school term times at Leasowes Community College, Halesowen, performing 3 concerts per year, often featuring up-and-coming young soloists, at Halesowen Cornbow Hall. The orchestra's repertoire is challenging and varied, including performances in recent years of Elgar's Violin Concerto, Mahler's Symphony No. 4 and Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2. While new members are not auditioned, the typical standard is equivalent to Grade VII or above.

Soloists who have performed with the orchestra include Nathalie Shaw, Amy Littlewood and Charlotte Moseley (Violin), Philip Handy (Cello), Elspeth Dutch (Principal Horn, CBSO) and Caroline Lester (Soprano).

We are looking for a person whose excellent communication and inter-personal skills enthuse and inspire players in all sections, making rehearsals a rewarding and enjoyable experience. An extensive knowledge of the orchestral repertoire is needed and successful recent experience as music director of a similar organisation would be desirable but not essential.

Please visit our website or contact Orchestra Secretary Shelley Collins for full details of the post, including remuneration.

We aim to invite selected applicants to a rehearsal to conduct the orchestra for about 30 minutes on the 8th or 15th May.  Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. Following feedback from the orchestra members, candidates may be invited back to conduct a longer session of about an hour during the summer term.

Formal interviews of shortlisted candidates will be held with the Selection Committee and the current Musical Director shortly afterwards, and all applicants will be notified of the decision as soon as possible.