Visiting Music Teacher – Singing

About the job

We are looking for an excellent and inspiring singing teacher for one day per week (around 9 pupils) from September. There is also potential for the right candidate to become involved in vocal coaching for our choristers.

Singing is central to life at Radley. The whole school sings (enthusiastically!) in Chapel services five times a week, with weekly Sung Eucharist or Choral Evensong led by the 130-strong Chapel Choir. Boys regularly go on to Choral Scholarships or to study singing at Conservatoire. Around 75 boys have singing lessons each week and there is a vibrant series of concerts and other performances throughout the year. There are regular opportunities to work with guest musicians in masterclasses and workshops, linked to our Visiting Recital Series.

The Chapel Choir and Chamber Choir sing evensong at local Cathedrals and Chapels each year, with recent venues including St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. Every two years, around 70 musicians from Radley go on tour, with recent destinations including Salamanca, Madrid, Prague and Northern France. Pupils are regularly involved leading singing workshops as part of our Music Partnerships programme Music Flood, and have twice played a leading role in performances with Gabrieli ROAR.

One of the highlights of the school year is the annual Partsong Competition, where each Social (boarding house) prepares an unaccompanied vocal performance, arranged and directed entirely by the boys.

Music Theatre is hugely popular, with large numbers of boys auditioning for each musical, staged alongside girls from the local area in Radley's own Theatre. Recent productions have included Sweeney Todd and Les Miserables (nominated for an award at this year's National School Theatre Awards).

The Choristership Scheme provides life-changing opportunities for 25 boys in years 2 to 8 who sing the treble line in the Chapel Choir. They continue to attend their own schools but come to Radley for rehearsals, singing tuition, theory lessons and services. They receive a significant subsidy towards instrumental lessons on two instruments and subsidised places on international tours.

In January, an exciting new Music School will open at Radley College. This will include a 300-seat Concert Hall, an intimate 90-seat Recital Hall, recording studio, Song School, four dedicated classrooms and a large number of teaching rooms: The New Music School

Radley’s singing pupils range from relative beginners to those preparing for diplomas and further study at Conservatoire or University level. We aim to motivate and encourage these students to continue and progress throughout their time at Radley, giving all them the same attention and opportunities.

As well as knowledge of teaching strategies, teaching repertoire and adaptability to the individual, the successful applicant will show an active interest and insight into current instrumental teaching, research and development, and in pursuing their own professional development as an instrumental teacher.

In general the role of a Visiting Music Teacher at Radley is defined as:

• the teaching, progress and development of each individual student within their specialism;
• designing a curriculum for each pupil based upon a shared goal;
• helping the pupil to achieve this by their professional help and expertise;
• keeping records of a pupil’s instrumental progress and up to date with all documentation;
• providing clear and helpful reports to parents at the end of each term;
• keeping abreast of current developments in instrumental teaching;
• working with the Head of Section to attract future music scholars.

Applications

Applications can be submitted via the 'apply' button above.

Closing date for applications is 12 noon Friday 6 June however applications may be dealt with as they are received. 

If selected for interview, applicants will be given a guided tour of the music school, have an interview with the Precentor, Head of Instrumental Music and be required to teach a short 10–15-minute lesson and/ or coach an ensemble. 

 Radley College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.  A disclosure, at the enhanced level, will be requested from the successful applicant but a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining this position.  S/he will also be required to produce original evidence of qualifications as well as evidence of the right to work in the UK.