Vacancy for Permanent Music Director
St Cecilia Chorus, Banstead, Surrey
Closing Date 23 April 2025

St Cecilia Chorus is a friendly, amateur SATB choir with about 60 singing members based in Banstead, Surrey.  It can trace its roots back to 1922 and is proud of its early connections with Ralph Vaughan Williams.
We are an auditioned choir, singing choral music ranging from 16^th Century to modern day in several languages. We perform three main concerts per year in our local area, accompanied by our Choral Scholar(s), professional soloists and instrumentalists.   
Rehearsals for these are in Banstead on Thursdays 19:45 – 21:45.

In addition, the choir regularly tours overseas: in June 2026 we plan to sing in Germany.  
We also hold an annual musical workshop in January and social events throughout the season.
We are looking for someone to start in September 2025 who can demonstrate their ability re:

• Inspirational and enthusiastic musical direction which produces the highest possible standards from choir members in rehearsals and performances

• Artistic directorship: devise engaging, wide-ranging concert programmes within an agreed annual budget

• Forge and maintain close, positive working relationships with the Chair, Committee and other stakeholders

• Sourcing and selecting relevant professionals
   

Job Description

The Role

To lead all musical matters relating to the choir.  To advise and work collaboratively with the Chair and other Committee members (Trustees) to agree and implement strategic priorities.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide engaging and appropriate concert programmes within an agreed budget by selecting music that will encourage, develop and improve the talents and skills of all the members of the choir

• Lead weekly rehearsals for the season (from September to June) to prepare for concerts

• Conduct performances

• Source and select professional singers and musicians to perform at concerts

• Provide guidance and encouragement to St Cecilia Choral Scholars

• Carry out auditions for new members and existing choir members every 4 years.

• Attend committee meetings as invited

• Assist with administrative tasks e.g. checking availability of scores, providing information for grant applications, programmes etc

• Help promote the choir

The Person

The successful candidate will have an inspirational passion for choral music, together with an extensive practical understanding of music, performance, and repertoire.  They will have:

• A proven background of choral and orchestral conducting, in both professional and amateur environments

• An in-depth knowledge of a wide range of choral music

• An ability to play the piano and demonstrate vocal method

• A creative, flexible, innovative approach

• A willingness to work as part of a team by developing and maintaining good working relationships with the accompanist, Committee, choir members and others

• Effective, planning and time management skills

• Good oral and written communication skills

• Experience of identifying developmental needs of others and helping them to improve

• Decision making/problem solving skills

• Systems skills – ability to use relevant software/apps