Music Director

The National Federation Of Music Societies; Bath; On-site; GBP 9,000 - 11,000; Full time

Job summary

Bath Choral Society is seeking an inspirational Music Director for January 2027. You will lead a hundred-strong amateur choir, developing its skills while maintaining high standards and delivering quality musical experiences.

The role requires training or notable experience in conducting and singing, with choral direction in sacred/traditional music, programming, and collaboration with professional orchestras and soloists. Rehearsals are in Bath, midweek and some Saturdays.

Qualifications

• Applicants should have training and/or notable experience in conducting, singing and playing.
• Experience in choral direction, preferably including sacred and traditional choral music.
• Concert experience should include responsibility for programming, choral conducting, and working with professional orchestras and soloists.

Responsibilities

• Rehearse the choir in central Bath, nearly every Wednesday evening during term time and occasionally on Saturdays; approx 35 rehearsals per year.
• Audition prospective new choir members and re-audition all members every four years.
• Develop repertoire and programming within budget to deliver high-quality musical experiences.

Skills

Conducting experience

Choral direction

Sacred music

Job description

Music Director

Bath Choral Society

Music Director sought for January 2027

Bath Choral Society (founded in 1887) is today a thriving SATB adult amateur choir with about a hundred auditioned members of all ages. It has a reputation for the exceptional quality of its recent performances.

We are looking for an inspirational Music Director who can bring the best out of the choir. The Director will further develop its skills, working with amateur singers with diplomacy and understanding, while challenging us to achieve high standards and deliver quality musical experiences.

Applicants should have training and/or notable experience in conducting, singing and playing. They need to be experienced in choral direction, preferably including sacred and traditional choral music. Concert experience should include responsibility for programming, choral conducting, and working with professional orchestras and soloists.

We are looking for someone who has a good understanding of programmes that will develop our repertoire while appealing to a wide audience. The Music Director will be aware of the cost implications of their proposed programmes and will work with the Committee to deliver quality experiences within the finances available.

Applicants need to be available to rehearse in central Bath, nearly every Wednesday evening during term time and occasionally on Saturdays; approx 35 rehearsals per year. The choir currently performs three to four concerts annually and an annual workshop. Most concerts take place in Bath Abbey and other venues in Bath near the end of each term, and they include an afternoon rehearsal.

We have grown in numbers over the last few years. The Music Director auditions prospective new choir members and re-auditions all members every four years.

The Music Director will be appointed on a self-employed basis, remuneration corresponding to rehearsals, performances and auditions undertaken, but currently this is approximately £10,000 pa.

Key Dates in recruitment process:
Deadline for applications: Wednesday 23/09/26
Longlist Interviews: Saturday 17/10/26*
Shortlist auditions with the Choir: Saturday 14/11/26*
*BCS will consider other dates.