Musical Director Vacancy

Northampton Symphony Orchestra is looking for a Musical Director/Conductor to take up post in November 2008 (or as soon as is mutually convenient). We are looking to appoint a talented musician who has experience of conducting amateur orchestras as set out in the specification for the post. For the last eight years the orchestra has been conducted by Graham Tear and under his guidance the orchestra has reached a high standard. We would expect the new appointee to maintain and develop the orchestra further with inspirational rehearsals and rewarding concerts.

The orchestra’s repertoire is wide and varied and we perform at various venues in and around Northampton. We are a community orchestra where the standard is Grade 8 and above, and are run by a committee of 10 members. Throughout the school term the orchestra rehearses on a Wednesday from 7.30-9.45 with an afternoon rehearsal on the day of the concert. Two concerts in the season take place on a Sunday. All rehearsals are taken by the Musical Director who would be expected to plan a rehearsal schedule for each concert run with sectional rehearsals forming an essential part.

The closing date for applications was 31 July 2008 and the orchestra has now short listed candidates for audition. Auditions will be held on 10th, 17th and 24th September and 1st October. The audition piece will be Elgar Symphony No 2 - movements 1 or 4.

Joining Northampton Symphony Orchestra

Northampton Symphony Orchestra is an amateur orchestra; all our members are volunteers and are unpaid. We currently have vacancies for first and second violins, but for all other playing positions there is a waiting list for new players wishing to join. In addition, there are occasions when we require extras for concerts. If you are a violinist and wish to join the orchestra, or would like to add your name to our waiting list please contact the Orchestral Manager with the following information:

Your name
Your contact telephone number
The instrument you play, and to what standard
Any orchestral experience you have, and how recent

The orchestra rehearses Wednesday evenings between September and July, starting at 7.30pm and ending at 9.45pm. Rehearsals take place at:

Northampton Music and Performing Arts Centre
125 Kettering Road
Northampton
NN1 4AZ
(map)

A membership fee is payable annually by all members of the orchestra, based upon the following rates:
Standard fee: £130.00
Senior citizen: £70.00
Peripatetic music teacher: £70.00

The majority of the players in the orchestra have achieved Grade 8 standard.