SMO Conductor Vacancy

Note: The application period is now closed

Details

Job Title: Conductor, SMO (Saturday Morning Orchestra)

Location: Beansheaf Community Centre, Calcot, Reading RG31 7AW

Time Commitment: Weekly rehearsals on Saturday mornings (10:30-12:30) during term time, plus one annual workshop day

Closing date for applications: Midnight 16th May 2025

About SMO:

SMO is a long-established, friendly, non-auditioned rehearsal orchestra that has been meeting on Saturday mornings for 54 years. We are a group of approximately 30 musicians who share a love of music and are generally of a standard able to sight-read most of our chosen repertoire. Examples of our previous repertoire can be found in the ‘history section’ on our website saturdaymorningorchestra.co.uk. Instead of formal public concerts, we hold open rehearsals at the end of each term to share our progress with friends and family. There are three terms usually 10 to 12 weeks long between September and July. Once a year, we run a workshop day where we invite additional players to play larger-scale works. We are wholly dependant on member subscriptions for our income. SMO is run by a committee of elected members together with the conductor and leader of the orchestra, with committee meetings held once per term.

About the Role:

The conductor will direct the orchestra in weekly rehearsals, ensuring a balance between musical challenge and enjoyment. S/he will work with the leader to select engaging repertoire that stretches the orchestra’s abilities while remaining accessible. Rehearsals should be challenging but fun. The conductor will be expected to work collaboratively with SMO’s committee to support the orchestra’s development, and potentially to grow the size of the orchestra to tackle larger-scale works in the future. The conductor will be responsible for arranging the musical programme for every term, seeking advice from the leader as necessary. The present conductor's remuneration is £1,750 per annum, paid on a termly basis.

Person Specification:

This role is suited for a person who enjoys working with amateur musicians, and is keen to make music in an engaging and friendly manner:

• Experience in conducting, preferably with amateur or community orchestras.
• Energetic, enthusiastic, and able to inspire amateur musicians of mixed ability.
• Strong knowledge of orchestral repertoire and an ability to draw up a programme that is both challenging and achievable, and fits the available forces.
• A collaborative and encouraging approach, ensuring rehearsals remain enjoyable and inclusive.
• Ambition to help the orchestra grow and develop musically while retaining its essential character.
• Able to attend our regular Saturday morning rehearsals between 10.30 and 12.30 during term time

How to Apply:

Applications should be emailed to applications@saturdaymorningorchestra.co.uk by midnight 16th May 2025. On-line interviews will be held soon after. Short-listed applicants will then be invited to an audition with the orchestra on either the 14th or 21st of June. The successful candidate would begin the role for a probationary period covering the Autumn term starting September 2025 with the expectation of confirming the permanent role shortly after. Please email any questions to the above address.

Applications should include:

• a CV of your relevant conducting experience
• a statement on why you think you would be suitable for this position
• an example rehearsal programme for the first two terms, if appointed (three or four pieces per term).