Head of Strings

About the job

King's is an extremely sought-after school with outstanding academic results and a vibrant co-curriculum. It strives to appoint able, committed, and compassionate colleagues to help ensure every child at the school achieves their best.  Overlooking Wimbledon Common, the school is situated in one of the most attractive parts of south-east England and benefits from exceptional grounds and facilities.

We are seeking to appoint, for a September 2022 or January 2023 start date, an outstanding orchestral string player to further develop the work of our strings department.  The role falls vacant following the appointment of the current post holder to the role of Head of Chamber Music at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. 

It is expected that the head of strings will work 4 days a week and play a full and active role in the department, seeking to develop and inspire string playing across the 7-18 age range.  It is hoped that the candidate will also wish to be involved in the wider school community.

The successful candidate will:

• Teach up to 15 individual lessons a week 
• Teach a beginner group each week
• Direct the senior school and lower school chamber orchestras 
• Jointly direct sinfonia with the head of wind and brass and the junior school orchestra with the head of junior school music
• Attend symphony orchestra rehearsals, organising and taking sectional rehearsals as required and bowing parts
• Attend one Sunday morning symphony orchestra rehearsal per term
• Coordinate the chamber music programme in both senior and junior schools and coach the string chamber ensembles
• Attend rehearsals and concerts, playing when necessary (both schools)
• Organise and run the annual John Evans string prize competition in the senior school
• Organise the annual beginner string demonstration and co-ordinate the allocation of beginner group pupils
• Organise and run an annual chamber Music day and concert (joint senior and junior schools)
• Organise an annual string showcase concert (joint senior and junior schools)
• Sit on the panel for all string players in the Music scholarship auditions (11+, 13+ and 16+) and assist with scholar reviews of string players
• Assist with the appointment of new string staff
• Attend the weekly department meetings
• Assume responsibility for, and maintain the condition of, school string instruments
• Liaise with parents as necessary
• Act as line manager for the visiting string teachers
• Be responsible for proof-reading termly instrumental reports for all string teachers
• Monitor progress of all string pupils
• Be responsible for the allocation of string pupils to teachers in conjunction with the director of Music

As part of the interview process, candidates will be required to teach two 15-minute individual lessons, one to a junior school and one to a senior school pupil, and to direct the lower school chamber orchestra in a short rehearsal.

Person specification:

• A good degree in Music from a well-respected university or conservatoire
• Proven ability as an outstanding performer both as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player
• Proven ability as an inspiring teacher to pupils, both beginners and up to and including diploma level  
• An ability to conduct string orchestras and work with small ensembles
• A desire to work with high-achieving and ambitious pupils
• Excellent communication, organisation and listening skills
• Competent IT skills - fully conversant with Word, Teams, Sharepoint and Sibelius
• Able to establish a good rapport with parents, pupils and staff alike
• Prior experience of working in a secondary school environment would be advantageous

Further details can be found by clicking the apply button above.

Closing date: 9am on Monday 16^th May 2022

Interview date: Wednesday 25^th May 2022

King’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. 

King’s College School is fully committed to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusivity in its recruitment of teaching and support staff.