Director of Music

Summary of the role

Giggleswick School is seeking to appoint an outstanding and inspiring musician to lead this vital department in a school with a rich tradition of excellence in music.  This is a senior post and an exciting opportunity for a talented professional, capable of inspirational music teaching, direction and leadership.  

The Director of Music must be a committed team builder, capable of blending the talents across the school, and the area, to inspire the whole community in a love of music. The school is about to launch a new vision for music that places it at the heart of the school and the wider area. The post holder will need to display the motivation, experience and confidence in promoting all aspects of musical life to groups across the school and wider community. Music at the school currently ranges from classical to rock concerts, popular musicals to choral works and folk, and the new Director will bring their own creative vision to further enhance the opportunities for all to take part and develop excellence. 

The department currently includes the Head of Music (Instrumental), Head of Junior School Music, a Music Teacher, and an Organist in Residence as well as a team of visiting Instrumental Teachers. The Director of Music will be given the resourcing to deliver their vision for Music across the key stages which may not necessarily have to involve them in teaching academic lessons. However they will be expected to play an active and visible role in directing the school’s ensembles. To do so it is expected that they will possess excellent keyboard skills.  

The work of the Music Department at Giggleswick is central to the school’s cultural ethos.  We aim to provide pupils with opportunities to rehearse for and to take part in a wide variety of musical performances both within and outside the school.  A particular emphasis is placed on the building of self-confidence, disciplined and regular practice, and on high performance standards. There are regular informal concerts, the annual Young Musician of the Year competitions and the major end of term Spring Concert.

Music plays an extremely important part in the life of the school and many pupils and staff are involved in the music programme.  Nearly two thirds of the Senior School and 90% of Junior School pupils are taught musical instruments, and most take part in one or more of the musical ensembles.  Pupils can learn to play all Orchestral and Band instruments, as well as Guitar, Piano Accordion, Singing and Keyboards.  They are taught by a team of experienced and enthusiastic full-time and visiting teachers, many of whom are practising professional musicians around the north of England.  Each major ensemble rehearses weekly and performs at regular intervals throughout the school year.  There are smaller ensembles whose purpose is to encourage the inexperienced player and to stretch the more advanced player and these groups form a central part of our weekly programme.

The School is currently considering plans to build a new Music School and the new Director of Music will play a central role in developing such a project within the context of building partnerships in music across the local community and region.

Please send your school application form found on http://www.giggleswick.org.uk/Employment-Opportunities along with a covering letter for the attention of The Headmaster to hr@giggleswick.org.uk.

Closing date for applications is 31st January 2020.  Interviews to be held week commencing 10 February 2020.