Director of Music

About the job

DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE MUSIC at WORCESTER COLLEGE, OXFORD

The Director of College Music will facilitate all aspects of practical music-making in the College, promoting an environment in which a breadth of musical styles and genres can flourish and reflecting the interests of the diverse College community. In addition to leading the College Choir in its varied and dynamic programme of services, concerts, and other activities, the Director will work with the tutors in Music, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and the student-run Music Society to support the high standard of practical music-making for which the College is recognised, and to organise concerts and events that promote the reputation of the College. The Director of Music also runs and supports musical activities in College that promote well-being and social cohesion, and engages with the College’s local community and the wider communities in Oxford.

Musical responsibilities 

1.      To direct the College Choir in the four choral services in Chapel each week during Full Term, as well as in other musical activities including concerts and touring, and to undertake the relevant rehearsals and preparatory work.

2.      To launch and sustain a programme of musical events including (for instance) a concert series, practical workshops and masterclasses, side-by-side performances, come-and-sing events, and community activities. It is imagined that these events would draw in both members of the College and members of the wider community in the University and neighbourhood. Events would proactively support the College’s wider interest in celebrating and supporting diversity and inclusion, and draw on music from a range of styles and genres consonant with that aim, to reflect the multicultural and global community in College.

3.      To direct the College’s non-auditioning community choir, the Worcester Allsorts.

4.      To oversee and serve as mentor to the College’s Instrumental Scholars, Boy Choristers, Choral Scholars, and Organ Scholars, and (by arrangement with the Music tutors) other students reading for degrees in Music throughout their time at the College, monitoring their progress, and encouraging them to set goals for performance and learning commensurate with their skills and ambitions.

5.      To oversee arrangements for the selection of approved teachers for those mentioned in (4). 

Administrative and strategic responsibilities

6.      To collaborate with the Development Office in order to raise the profile of the College and to assist in maintaining and developing relationships with and beyond the College community, especially with secondary schools and Old Members. 

7.      To draw up the weekly, termly, and yearly schedule of rehearsals, services, concerts, and other engagements for the Choir, including recruitment, outreach, and alumni events in collaboration with the relevant post-holders. 

8.      To take an active role in recruiting musicians from within the College population and to collaborate with others in recruiting undergraduate and postgraduate students through outreach, open days, and alumni events.

9.      To work with the Music tutors, Chaplaincy, and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive music strategy for the College that aligns with its values and ambitions.

10.  To liaise with the appropriate authorities in the College and Cathedral School regarding all matters relating to student welfare, safeguarding and child protection, and to adhere to all such policies and ensure they are followed by others.

11.  To work with other College postholders to develop activities and initiatives that support personal and community well-being.

The Director of College Music will be an accomplished choir trainer who will lead the College’s several choirs, but should be familiar with and receptive to music both inside and outside the Western classical tradition. They need not be an organist (though the ability to lead a rehearsal from the keyboard is essential). There is no occupational requirement for the postholder to be a Christian, but proven experience in the Anglican choral tradition, or cognate experience that would enable them to flourish in that tradition in its widest sense, is important.

The Director of College Music will report to the Provost and (on a dotted line basis) to the Chaplain. 

This post is offered at Grade 6 (£29,614-£35,326) on the University scale, pro-rated at 0.6 FTE (averaged over the course of the calendar year, though commitments are likely to be more substantial in Full Term). Starting salaries are usually at the bottom of the scale and advance on an annual basis on 1 August. The contract is for 12 months in the first instance (renewable by mutual agreement).