Music Director & Conductor

Applications - please email CV and supporting material to - chairman@tmg.org.uk

Job Description

Trianon Music Group is looking to appoint a new Music Director and Conductor following the passing of our Artistic Director Prof Chris Green earlier this year. Trianon was founded in 1959 and is now the largest non-professional symphony orchestra and choir in East Anglia. It is based in Ipswich and draws members from across the Anglia region. The Group performs three major concerts a year (January, April and September) plus a variety of smaller community concerts which help to raise funds for local charities. Concert programming covers a wide range of genres including Film, TV, Stage, Classical and Commissioned works. Rehearsals typically take place twice a week in the evenings during the two months running up to each concert. The Group is a registered charity with Trustees who take care of operational aspects. We are seeking a Music Director and Conductor who is dynamic, enthusiastic, and able to lead the musical development, programming and future of the choir and orchestra.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate strong past credentials, of experience in the role with similar choral societies and also be confident conducting with orchestras. The individual will play a key role in leading the development and delivery of our concert programmes so will need to demonstrate ideas based on a solid back/repertoire knowledge that offers exciting, varied programming covering a range of musical styles and genres

Ultimately, we are looking for a person who is willing to become the “Face of Trianon” and show vision and commitment to the ideals of the Group to steer and move us forward.

Post: Musical Director and Conductor

Appointed by, and responsible to: Trianon Music Group Trustees

Salary level:    To be agreed in line with Musicians Union/ Making Music guidelines and reflect the candidate’s experience. For example - £120 per full rehearsal, £450 for concert day (£1,890 a term).

Community

Trianon is a bustling community that aims to offer a platform for musicians to develop their musical passion. We offer the opportunity to perform in large and small-scale concerts and operate a bursary scheme that supports our players and singers to progress their musical development. Rehearsals are dynamic and fun as we look to stretch ourselves with a very wide range of challenging works, bolstered by ample tea and biscuits. Our president is Sir John Rutter, and we have a network of guest conductors, composers, arrangers and soloists who are always willing to assist. We support one another, and work towards an inclusive and supportive environment. We also host open workshops that offer an introduction to major works and composers. See our website for more information on Trianon’s wide music repertoire and range of activities (tmg.org.uk).

Ambition

To build our reputation for delivering exciting programmes and quality performances, and build a vibrant community and network of players and singers of all ages reflecting the “inclusive, fun and educational” aims of the Group, and who relish the opportunity to come together to deliver a wide range of music that excites and delights our audiences.

Terms of Appointment

The appointment is for two years, renewed subject to satisfactory review with the choir and orchestra. The trustees will correlate the members’ opinions and concerns, regularly feedback to the conductor, and the chair will hold an annual appraisal with the post holder.

Specific Responsibilities

1) To conduct Trianon at all rehearsals and performances; dates and times to be agreed with the trustees. To facilitate a deputy, in case of an emergency.

2) To assume the responsibility for the artistic direction of both choir and orchestra performances.

3) To work with the orchestra leader, choir and orchestra section leaders and performers on musical technique.

4) To attend our Music Committee meetings (6 per year) to advise and agree on the choice of music for concerts. The final programme is to be confirmed with the trustees.

5) To attend our Trustee Group Management meetings (6 per year) to discuss and agree ambitions and planning requirements for future concert venues and performances.

6) To aid the trustees with suitable programme notes regarding the music.

7) To work with the leader and trustees to enhance the long-term technical and artistic development of the choir and orchestra.

8) To offer general advice and assistance to the trustees on all matters pertaining to the musical conduct of Trianon Music Group.

9) To work with the trustees to foster a balance between musical excellence and the enjoyment of music making, through mutual respect, and a non-threatening atmosphere that is encouraging, inspirational, charismatic, enthusiastic, exciting, educational and musically valuable.

10) To work with the trustees, in an advisory capacity, regarding soloists, deputies and concert requirements such as music, players and additional equipment. To work with the trustees to secure appropriate sectionals coaches, to take termly sectional rehearsals.

11) To provide a full list of the rehearsal details and timings for each concert term, including details of provisions for when certain players are not needed, such as additional brass sectionals, or rehearsals that can be missed (with the undertaking from the choir and orchestra secretaries and section leads to provide a comprehensive list of players’ anticipated absences). Agree a rehearsal schedule with the trustees and section leaders two months prior to the first rehearsal.

This Job Description is not an exhaustive list of duties but is intended to give a general indication of the range of responsibilities.

If the trustees appoint a Guest Conductor for a term, the Musical Director will remain a trustee, but responsibilities 1) to 11) will not apply for that term, and the honorarium will not be payable.

The post holder is required to give 9 months’ notice of intention to resign, though agreement for earlier resignation can be discussed with the trustees.

Additional information

Choir and Orchestra rehearsals take place separately until one joint rehearsal in the week before the concert, and another on the morning of the concert day.

There is typically one choir and one orchestra rehearsal each week in the two months prior to a major concert.

Rehearsals are held from 7.15 to 9.45pm. The three major concert terms are:-

• March to April, concert April
• July to September, concert September
• November to January, concert January

Dates dependent on venue confirmation. There is one sectional week a term.