Assistant Director of Music
Glenalmond College
Perth and Kinross
- Expired
- Salary:
- Competitive Salary
- Job type:
- Full Time, Maternity Cover
- Start date:
- September 2019
- Apply by:
- 15 March 2019
Job overview
The Position
Glenalmond College is seeking to appoint an Assistant Director of Music for September 2019 to cover a maternity leave, initially until Half Term (late May) of the Trinity Term 2020, and possibly for longer. We are 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. We are looking to fill a full time position but, for the correct applicant, we may consider a part time position.
Music has a high profile at Glenalmond and, given the environment, there has always been a strong leaning towards the arts at the College.
The College
Founded in 1847 by William Gladstone and others, Glenalmond College is a fully co-educational boarding and day school, set in the stunning Perthshire countryside and enjoying magnificent grounds of over 300 acres in an unrivalled setting at the foot of the Grampian hills. There are currently around 400 pupils at Glenalmond between the ages of 12 and 18. The principal point of entry is at 13 but we have a small Second Form group which is geared towards those transferring at 12 from the Scottish primary system. There are presently four boys' boarding houses, three girls' houses and one house for second and third form boys.
The School has excellent academic and extra-mural facilities. In addition to cricket, rugby and lacrosse pitches, there are tennis courts, squash courts, a grass athletics track, a nine-hole golf course, a swimming pool, a sports hall and an all-weather playing surface. The Robin Thomson Theatre building is the venue for our drama and musical productions. The School has a strong CCF contingent, an outstanding Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and a Community Service programme which operates locally on a regular basis.
The majority of full time teaching staff and some non-teaching staff along with their families live on campus in accommodation provided by the College. There is very much a community feel amongst the staff who live on campus with many interacting with each other on a personal as well as a professional basis.
The Music Department
Staff & Instrumental Teaching
The full time music staff, Dr Tim Ridley (Director of Music), Brian Elrick (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 Mrs Anne Dillon, 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.
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 last year’s six concerto/concert arias all performed by music scholars. This year’s concert will include a complete performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s virtuosic Variations for cello and rock band.
Chapel
The Chapel plays an important role in the life of the community. There is a daily Chapel Service on weekdays 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.
Music Technology
Considerable investment has been made in Music Technology. Facilities presently comprise 10 iMac computers, running Sibelius 7 and Logic Pro software.
Instruments
There is a stock of College orchestral instruments though pupils are encouraged to acquire their own as soon as possible. There are a new Yamaha C7X grand piano and a Roland digital harpsichord in the recital hall and there are Welmar upright pianos (purchased in 1998) in the practice rooms.
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 current Upper Sixth Music Scholars holds a conditional offer for the September 2019 organ scholarship 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 (Edexcel), and A-level as a Sixth Form study. Depending on pupil requirement, either Higher Music or Higher Music Technology is also offered as a Sixth Form option.
Personal and Professional Qualities Sought for this position
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:
- Teach an academic timetable up to and including A Level and Higher (GTCS Registration required) and provide a lively and stimulating classroom environment that pushes all pupils to achieve their full potential.
- Directing String Orchestra, Concert Band and Cantores (Second/Third Form Choir).
- Assisting with administrative and routine tasks as requested by the Director of Music.
- An in-depth understanding of life in a busy Boarding School.
- Demonstrable experience of working as part of a team.
- Demonstrable experience of pastoral care provision.
- Ability to work well (without line management supervision) with others internal and external to the organisation.
- Ability to represent the school to parents and external agencies and professional bodies.
- Ability to work unsupervised.
- IT literate and competent in use of databases, Microsoft Office, GSuite etc
- Excellent planning, organisation, written and verbal skills are essential.
- Engage fully in continuous professional development.
- Undertake other duties, i.e. supervised study and cover, take a tutor group, carry out boarding duties one evening per week and on occasion take a saturday night duty to cover an activity.
- Contribute to the extra-curricular life of the school.
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
Terms
The College has its own pay scale and accommodation may be available as part of the role. We can offer you a competitive salary, complimentary refreshments during hours of work, a good working environment as part of a close-knit team and the possibility of opportunities for the role to grow.
Applications for the post
All applications must be made on the College Application Form. Please also include a covering letter outlining your suitability for this position.
Please return completed applications (marked Private & Confidential) to: The HR Manager, barbaraclark@glenalmondcollege.co.uk
For further details regarding the musical requirements of the post, or for an informal chat, please contact the Director of Music, Tim Ridley, timridley@glenalmondcollege.co.uk or telephone 01738 842138.
Closing date for this post is Friday 15th March. Interviews are scheduled from week commencing Monday 18th March, although the College reserves the right to interview and appoint at any time in the recruitment process.
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.
Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy.