Conductor

Established in 1923, the Argyle String Orchestra is Bath's oldest amateur orchestra. After 35 years at the helm, our fantastic conductor Tim Robb is retiring, and we are looking for a new director to guide the Orchestra into the future.

The Orchestra comprises around 30 musicians and performs 3 concerts a year, rehearsing on Thursday evenings in Bath. There are no auditions, but members are normally at Grade 5+. We perform a wide-ranging repertoire of well-known masterpieces and rare gems from around the world. We are well-known for supporting new local composers with developing works. With people of all ages, standards and backgrounds, ‘The Argyle’ as it’s affectionately known, is a friendly and welcoming ensemble.

The Argyle is established as an unincorporated charity with a membership comprising the players and an elected committee. The committee will lead on the recruitment and selection process, but will be informed by input from Orchestra members.

We are looking for a conductor who:

• Is an experienced musician with previous roles conducting
• Has experience as a string instrumentalist
• Is an energetic leader with an ability to motivate non-professional players to improve their standard of performance and enjoyment of music-making
• Can create engaging programmes with a wide-ranging knowledge of string repertoire
• Is a great communicator with musicians and audiences alike
• Can bring a network of musical contacts that the Orchestra may wish to engage as soloists

Role to include:

• Rehearsing the Orchestra weekly on Thursday evenings in Bath c. 29 rehearsals a year
• Conducting 3 concerts a year together with dress rehearsals, which have traditionally been held on the evening before each concert
• Leading on the creation of engaging and coherent programming in agreement with the committee
• Attending meetings with the committee each season (c.4 a year)
• Meeting with the Orchestra leader to discuss and agree on bowings and musical interpretation
• Nurturing musical confidence and enthusiasm with players
• Attending the Annual General Meeting in the spring of each year (usually incorporated into a rehearsal) and presenting a formal report on its musical progress

Selection process

The closing date for applications is 5th December 2022. Those short-listed will be invited to have a short, informal meeting with the committee and to conduct the Orchestra during a rehearsal on the 12th January 2023. After consultation with the Orchestra, the final decision will be taken by the committee and the appointment made soon after. The contract will start in September 2023.

Please send a current CV with a cover letter (no more than one side of A4) outlining how your experiences make you a strong candidate for the role to argylestringorchestra@gmail.com with the subject ‘Conductor role’.

Terms and conditions of service

Fees will be up for negotiation during the appointment process. As a freelance contractor, you will be liable for your own tax, national insurance and public indemnity insurance. Further terms and conditions will be provided in the contract of service at the time of appointment, which will be subject to a probationary period of 3 months. The contract will be for a determined period of 1 year, reviewed annually and may be terminated by either party with appropriate notice.

Statement on equal opportunities

The Argyle String Orchestra welcomes applications from suitably qualified musicians regardless of their age, sex, race, religion/belief, sexual orientation, disability, gender reassignment, whether married or in civil partnership, or pregnant or on maternity leave.

GDPR statement

The Argyle String Orchestra is committed to ensuring protection of all personal information it holds, and to provide and to protect all such data. We recognise our obligations in updating and expanding this programme to meet the requirements of GDPR.