Conductors - National Youth Choir (9-15 Years)

Job Summary

Job Description

National Youth Choir is delighted to invite applications from exceptional and inspirational choral conductors to work with our youngest singers, aged 9 to 15, at the very highest level.

We are looking to award contracts to two conductors: one to work predominantly with our male and non-binary singers, and the other to work predominantly with our female and non-binary singers. The two successful applicants will work under the direction of newly appointed Principal Conductor, Lynsey Callaghan, and report to the Creative Director, Lucy Hollins. They will also work closely with our extensive freelance creative team.

Number of roles available: 2

Contract terms: Self-employed contract for services

Duration: Contract offered from January 2025 for a period of 3 years, with potential for extension. The first residential course for the successful applicants will be from 14th to 19th April 2025.

Fees: £1800 per course, to include planning, delivery and evaluation. Most courses have a duration of 6 days (42 hours), with approx 2 days planning and evaluation to happen before and after each course (14 hours) – giving an hourly rate of roughly £32.

Additional fees: Additional fees will be paid when assuming the role of Lead Conductor on courses. Auditions will be contracted separately, as will other National Youth Choir work outside the scope of the main contract e.g. delivery of Learning & Engagement activity.

Location: Conductors can be based anywhere in the UK or internationally but must be eligible to work in the UK and able to travel to delivery locations. Please note that National Youth Choir will not cover any international travel expenses for interviews, or to enable attendance at courses and performances.

Job Requirements

• Significant, relevant experience of conducting at a high level, including working with young people aged 9 to 15;
• Specialist knowledge of developing voices in this age group;
• Commitment to principles of excellence, inclusion and representation;
• Commitment to safeguarding, member welfare, and youth voice, including an understanding of best practice in safeguarding and data protection;
• Extensive knowledge of diverse choral repertoire, and the ability to create programmes/projects that are innovative, engaging, accessible and relevant for both singers and audiences;
• Understanding of best practice in the youth music and music education sector;
• Experience of delivering musicianship training; Experience of providing creative leadership for projects and programmes;
• Experience of managing and mentoring self-employed artists, volunteers and trainees;
• Commitment to working collaboratively to ensure ambitious, joined-up programming, planning and delivery across the organisation;

Job Responsibilities

• We currently offer two courses a year for our male and non-binary singers. The Conductor specialising in male voices will be required to conduct on all courses for our male and non-binary singers.
• We currently offer four courses a year for our female and non-binary singers. The Conductor specialising in female voices will be required to conduct on all courses for our female and non-binary singers.
• The Principal Conductor will be the creative lead for the majority of courses, with the Conductors working closely alongside them. Where the Principal Conductor is unavailable to lead a course, the Conductors will take the leading creative role as Lead Conductor, and receive an additional supplementary fee. In such circumstances, course and repertoire planning will be done in collaboration with the Principal Conductor and wider National Youth Choir team, to ensure continuity of vision and approach.