English Arts Chorale seeks new accompanist

Wanted: Accompanist / organist / assistant conductor / vocal coach for The English Arts Chorale
• Monday evening rehearsals at Reigate, Surrey
• Between 6 and 9 concerts a year, plus singing days and European touring.
• Wide-ranging repertoire from unaccompanied music to full professional orchestra.

The English Arts Chorale is an ambitious, auditioned voluntary choir of some 70 members, directed by Leslie Olive, under whom it has given nearly 300 concerts. It has broadcast for BBC Radio, performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, London Mozart Players and the English Chamber Orchestra at venues including the Barbican Concert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and many cathedrals, often singing major repertoire such as the Verdi, Mozart, and Fauré Requiems entirely from memory. However its repertoire is wide-ranging and often includes the work of living composers, both well-known and little-known, including music for unaccompanied choir. John Rutter described as EAC’s performance of Lauridsen’s “Sure on this shining night” as “translucent.” The most-praised thumbprints of the EAC’s sound are its exceptional blend and full dynamic range.
Ian le Grice is retiring as accompanist of the English Arts Chorale at the end of July 2017, creating a vacancy for a multi-gifted musician to replace him.
Your role if appointed will be more than simply accompanist, although absolute pianistic fluency combined with a deep understanding of how to accompany an ambitious voluntary choir, together with the confidence to be meticulously responsive to the conductor, are both essential.
You will be an organist of professional calibre because some EAC concerts are with organ. You will enjoy occasionally directing rehearsals in the absence of the founding Artistic Director Leslie Olive, either from the piano or with the assistance of a visiting accompanist.
Ideally you will also have technical ability as a singing coach, and will be available to take choral warm-ups, provide technical input to the rehearsal process, and offer singing lessons to individuals or small groups.
You will be expected to use your “network knowledge” for the good of the EAC, for example by helping recruit outstanding amateur singers of whom you become aware, recommending soloists, and identifying opportunities for the EAC to further broaden its performing reach. As Assistant Director of Music, you will happily make yourself available to advise the committee from time to time and will meet informally – perhaps over a pizza before rehearsal – with the Artistic Director once or twice a term.
The English Arts Chorale has a proud record of achievement and is in a good place with some very ambitious plans. But like all groups it is capable of further development, and you will be an essential element in this.

You should express your interest immediately by emailing the Artistic Director, Leslie Olive, at Leslie.Olive@englisharts.org