Music Director – St Richard Singers, Chichester, Sussex

Application deadline: 
Wednesday, 26 June 2019
Description of vacancy: 

The choir is seeking to appoint a new Music Director to start in September 2019 to build on our established record and provide stability for the years ahead. The applicant will find a friendly and enthusiastic mixed voices choir and hard-working committee with a loyal and growing following. This is a paid position. Remuneration and professional fees are commensurate with experience and expertise, and guided by professional recommendations. Rehearsals are weekly on Mondays during term time from 7.30 to 9.30pm, including most Bank holidays and some half-terms. Our regular concert venue is acoustically one of the best in the area.

St Richard Singers is a not-for-profit organisation and Chichester’s longest-established chamber choir in its 50th anniversary season 2019/ 2020. The choir performs 3 major concerts a year, one per academic term, and in addition occasionally sings in liturgical context. The choir currently has a membership of around 35 singers, and new members are informally auditioned. SRS is a committed and experienced body of singers who enjoy singing mainly sacred music from the Renaissance onward, both a cappella and accompanied by solo instrument or small orchestral ensemble. The departing MD, countertenor Jake Barlow, has provided highly professional excellent musical leadership, combined with great inter-personal and media skills, enthusiasm and vision. The choir has established a good working relationship with local instrumentalists and soloists, drawn from among university students and established musicians.

Our website St Richard Singers has more information about the choir, including reviews, publicity and audio material of recent performances, as well as a restricted members’ area. We are also building up a social media presence.

If you think you are the right candidate to take SRS forward, please contact our Secretary SRS Secretary or call 07961 833587 for an initial conversation and to request an application pack. The recruitment process is then expected to consist of short-listed candidates attending an interview before a panel, and a 20 to 30-minute trial conducting session with the choir. The appointment will be made by the Committee on behalf of the choir. The new choir year officially starts on 2 September.

Applications should include a current CV, details of two referees, and a covering letter/ vision paper explaining your suitability with reference to the person specification. They must be received by midnight Wed 26 June 2019. Interviews will take place on Mon 8 or 15 July, trials on Mon 15 or 22 July.

St Richard Singers is committed to promoting equal opportunities.

Location: 
St. George's Church
Cleveland Road
PO19 7AD Chichester, West Sussex
United Kingdom