A unique and visible opportunity to lead the artistic mission of the National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain.
NCO is the UK’s premier orchestral training ground for young musicians and has achieved a formidable reputation for the excellence of its work and the life-changing opportunities it offers to musically talented children aged between 7 and 14 years. This post offers a remarkable opportunity for an exceptional candidate to take NCO forward into the next phase of its exciting development.
Role: Artistic and Educational Director (‘AED’)
This is a seasonal role that offers the successful candidate the opportunity to maintain a complementary portfolio of artistic/musical commitments
Salary: £ negotiable for an average 18.75 hour week (0.5 whole time equivalent, ‘wte’) on an annualised hours basis
Location: Based from home but with regular visits to our offices in Weston-super-Mare. Because of the nature of the role travel UK-wide should be anticipated
Application closing date: 5 May 2017
The position
In this role you will provide artistic leadership to NCO and develop a programme of exceptional music and educational opportunities aimed at the progressive development of the musical skills and social experience of some 700 children in annual membership of NCO’s six national age-banded and six regional orchestras. Specifically you will:
- Plan the artistic and educational content of NCO’s residential courses and concerts, perpetuating the excellence of the opportunities NCO provides and developing the profile and the importance of NCO’s contribution to the music education sector in the UK
- Devise and forward plan programmes of repertoire, the selection of conductors and tutors, and opportunities for artistic collaborations for the national and regional orchestras
- Oversee the annual audition process and moderation of audition results and draw up orchestral lists
- Develop a coherent artistic programme for NCO’s regional orchestras, widening opportunities for Associate Membership and collaborating with local partners to engage more children with opportunities to play and perform
The role is seasonal through the year (the role will be equivalent to 2.5 days per week on average) and will offer opportunities for the right candidate to maintain an appropriate portfolio of complementary professional commitments.
We are looking for a candidate who:
- Commands respect in the classical orchestral world through extensive knowledge and experience of tutoring and inspiring young musicians to the highest standards
- Has an extensive knowledge of classical music repertoire, the passion needed to foster young musical talent and the technical skills to plan a progressive musical education
- Has an exceptional network of professional contacts and the creative instincts to develop successful artistic collaborations
- Has a detailed appreciation of current arts education policy and the stature to contribute and inform policy at a regional and national level
- Will relish the opportunity to work with NCO’s Managing Director jointly to provide executive leadership to a professional staff team and to build collegiate, child-focused relationships with NCO’s committed network of conductors, tutors and pastoral staff
For more information and details on how to apply, please click here.
