Assistant Director of Music (cover for a period of maternity leave 0.7 contract)
Glenalmond College
Glenalmond, Perth
- Expired
- Job type:
- Part Time, Temporary
- Start date:
- January 2021
- Apply by:
- 9 October 2020
Job overview
Glenalmond College is looking to appoint an inspirational musician, of academic excellence and with proven communication skills, to work as Assistant to the Director of Music in the day-to-day running of the Music Department. Music has a high profile at Glenalmond and, given the environment, there has always been a strong leaning towards the arts at the College.
Responsibilities
The precise responsibilities of the position are focused around the delivery of academic music, in particular A-level, and the coaching of three large ensembles. Specifically:
● To be an able and confident teacher of classroom Music, sharing the delivery of GCSE (Eduqas) and taking sole responsibility for the delivery of A-level (Eduqas); although the actual experience of teaching specific courses is not a prerequisite, the deep and detailed knowledge required to prepare and deliver such courses is necessary and expected
● Directing String Orchestra, Concert Band and Cantores (Second/Third Form Choir) - although at present only String Orchestra is operational due to Covid-19 restrictions
● Assisting with administrative and routine tasks as requested by the Director of Music
Additional responsibilities might include some, but not necessarily all, of the following, depending on individual strengths (please note that organ or advanced piano ability is not a prerequisite for the post):
● Instrumental/theory/aural teaching
● Coaching chamber music groups
● Playing the organ in Chapel and accompanying Chapel Choir
● Accompanying pupils in concerts and for examinations
Chapel
The Chapel plays an important role in the life of the community. Under normal, non-Covid, routines there is a daily Chapel Service on weekdays for the whole school as well as a Sunday Service for the boarders. The Director of Music leads the whole School for hymn singing (Congregational Practice) on Fridays. The Chapel Choir currently numbers 46 and sings an anthem or setting each Sunday.
Concerts, Recitals & Masterclasses
Informal weekly lunchtime concerts are given on Thursdays throughout the year. The large ensembles and the chamber groups perform in the Autumn Concert in November and in either the Spring Concert or Gala Concert in March. The Gala Concert is an annual concert given in the magnificent surroundings of Perth Concert Hall, the programme varying in recent years from Choral Society performing Orff’s Carmina Burana, to a full orchestra accompanied, staged performance of Jesus Christ Superstar, to six concerto/concert arias all performed by music scholars. A recent concert also included a complete performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s virtuosic Variations for cello and rock band.
Staff & Instrumental Teaching
The full time music staff, Director of Music, Head of Pipes & Drums) and the Assistant Director of Music all have their own offices in the Music School. Around 20 visiting music teachers come to Glenalmond each week, with most staff travelling up from Edinburgh or Glasgow. The immediate administration of their work, and the timetabling of individual pupil lessons, is dealt with by the Music School Administrator, who works Monday to Friday in the Music School General Office.
Facilities
The department is housed in a purpose-built building of 1963, designed by Basil Spence and recently acquiring listed building status. There is a recital hall, 8 practice/teaching rooms, offices and a Music Technology studio with a separate recording facility.
Scholarships
Music Scholarships are offered for entry in all years and range from remission of fees plus free instrumental tuition to Exhibitions of free instrumental tuition only. We have good connections with preparatory and local primary schools and past and present pupils at Glenalmond include former choristers of St John's College, Cambridge, Bristol Cathedral, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Guildford Cathedral.
Glenalmond Music Scholars currently hold positions in the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, Perth Youth Orchestra, Edinburgh Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Choirs of both Scotland and Great Britain, in addition to the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland. There are several ex-scholars reading music at various universities around the UK. One of our recent Upper Sixth Music Scholars is an organ scholar at St Catherine’s College, Cambridge.
Academic Teaching
In years 8 & 9 (Second & Third Form) all pupils receive one period of music weekly: thereafter Music is available at GCSE (Eduqas), and A-level as a Sixth Form study.
Attached documents
About Glenalmond College
The College is built on the south bank of the River Almond, from the north bank of which rise the Grampians. It is about 50 miles north of Edinburgh and 10 miles from both Perth and Crieff.
The College Buildings, grouped round a cloistered quadrangle, comprise the Chapel, Hall, Library, houserooms and studies, study bedrooms, classrooms. A separate block houses additional classrooms, a purpose built Science Centre and a Theatre. A few yards away are the Art School and the Design and Technology Centre. Next to these are the Music practise rooms.
The Sports Complex consists of squash courts, a strength and conditioning suite, an indoor sports hall and a heated indoor swimming pool, fitness suite and an indoor .22 range.
Houses. There are 4 houses for boys and 3 houses for girls. The organisation of all the Houses is the same, each having accommodation for resident Housestaff. Senior boys and girls have study-bedrooms or studies of their own.
Religion. The College is an Episcopalian foundation and has a splendid Chapel. However all denominations are welcomed.
Admission. Boys and girls enter the College between the ages of 13 and 14 via the Common Entrance Examination or Entrance Scholarship papers. Pupils leaving Primary Schools may qualify by tests and examinations for junior entry at rising 12. Girls and boys may also qualify for entry into the Lower Sixth, or at other points during their school career.
Curriculum. In the first 3 years all pupils take a wide range of subjects up to the GCSE with English, Mathematics, a modern language and the 3 Sciences as core subjects. Greek, Spanish, German, Art, Drama, Music, Design/Technology, History, Geography, Latin, Computer Science, Physical Education are optional subjects to GCSE and beyond. Each pupil is guided by a tutor.
The Sixth Form provides specialist courses in Arts and Sciences leading to GCE A-Level and also a selection of SQA Higher Levels. Lectures from outside speakers on social, economic and cultural subjects of topical interest take place regularly.
Economics, Business Studies, Theatre Studies, History of Art, and Politics are now fully established in the Sixth Form.
Careers. Over 90% of pupils qualify for entry to university; some go direct to professional careers, industry, the Services, etc. Great emphasis is placed on careers guidance: careers talks, visits and advice along with a well-stocked careers room assist pupils in their choice. Most pupils take careers aptitude tests at age 16.
Art, Drama and Music. Music plays a central part in the life of the school: there is an Orchestra as well as smaller String, Woodwind and Brass Groups. A large Choir and Choral Society perform at the College, in Perth and in Edinburgh. The Concert Society arranges recitals and concerts at the College; frequent visits are made to concerts in Perth and elsewhere. There is a Pipe Band.
The Drama and Art departments flourish, in conjunction with the well-established Design and Technology Centre. Art, Music as well as Design/Technology form part of the normal curriculum and can be taken at GCSE and A level.
Games and Recreations. Rugby, Hockey and Lacrosse are played in the Michaelmas Term and there is a wide variety of activities to choose from in the Lent Term including Football. In Summer Term the sports are Cricket, Athletics, Shooting, Tennis and Golf. Shooting on the Miniature Ranges takes place during the two winter terms. There is a large indoor heated Swimming Pool and pupils are trained in personal survival and Lifesaving. There are also Squash Courts, Tennis Courts, a private Golf Course, and two full-size all-weather pitches for hockey and tennis.
During the Summer, pupils have the opportunity to explore the hills and the neighbouring countryside.
Combined Cadet Force. There is a contingent of the Combined Cadet Force which has strong links with the Armed Forces and the Royal Regiment of Scotland (Black Watch Battalion) in particular. The ceremonial dress, as worn by the Pipe Band for example, is the Highland dress with the Murray of Atholl tartan.
Army and Air sections, with a Pre-Service section for Junior Pupils, are organised on the basis of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Shooting and Adventure Training figure prominently; pupils may also be engaged on Conservation, Community Service Work or Mountain Awareness Group.
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