Music Director
The Durham Singers Closing date: Mon, 14 Sep 2026
- Full time
- Under £10K
- Apply now
Mon, 17 Aug 2026 "> published -
Job Summary
Job Description
The Durham Singers is one of the North East's leading amateur classical music ensembles, bringing together about 45 singers from around the region for high-quality performances of music from the 16th to the 21st century. The choir is recruiting a new music director to start January 2027. We are seeking an energetic and creative choral music director to inspire the musical development of the choir, maintaining its high standards of performance, and enabling the choir to develop its audience reach.
The successful applicant will contract with The Durham Singers on a self-employed basis and not as an employee.
The music director is paid a termly fee which will cover the weekly rehearsal and the termly concert performances. The remuneration will be informed by national guidelines (Making Music) and is negotiable on the basis of the appointee's experience and qualifications.
Job Requirements
Experience in successfully directing choirs of a high standard,
Ability to improve the choir's quality of performance,
Proven ability to plan and deliver programmes within an agreed budget that will enable the choir to develop its audience reach,
Ability to inspire the musical development of the choir and encourage the active listening and musicality of its members,
Experience as a teacher of vocal technique, with the ability to instil healthy singing, diagnose common issues, and keep singers safe and confident,
Experience of successfully engaging and directing professional singers and instrumentalists, and
Having an established network of contacts with professional musicians.
Job Responsibilities
Proposing annual concert programmes to the committee,
Planning and directing rehearsals and performances,
Proposing to the committee the engagement of any solo vocal and/or instrumental performers, and in collaboration with the hon. treasurer, contracting them to perform, conducting the choir and any guest soloists and/or instrumentalists in rehearsal and performance,
Working with committee members to manage concert projects within budget,
Communicating regularly with the choir about rehearsal and concert expectations,
Contributing to applications for funding and promotional material,
Assessing and selecting potential members, given the needs of each voice part,
Coaching choir members in voice parts to improve their musical skills,
Attending committee meetings.
Useful Links
Job Overview
- Job Title: Music Director
- Salary: Under £10K
- Hours: Full time
- Artform: Music
- Role: Performer
- Contract: Contract
- Closing date: Mon, 14 Sep 2026
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Location:
North East
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted via email to the chair of The Durham Singers: [email protected] by 5pm on 14 September 2026.
- Contact name: Michael Gilmore
- Contact email: [email protected]
About The Durham Singers
The Durham Singers is one of the North East’s leading amateur classical music ensembles, bringing together about 45 singers from around the region for high-quality performances of music from the 16th to the 21st century.