Graduate Assistant (Music; Keyboard Specialist)

Bloxham School seeks to appoint a capable and energetic Graduate Assistant (Music; Keyboard Specialist). This role would suit a recent graduate with the ability to communicate their passion for music with students.

• To assist and support the running and development of the Music Department together with delivery of academic subjects, activities throughout the school and organisation of ABRSM and/or Trinity music exams
• To act as a musical role model for all students through behaviour and enthusiasm for this area of the school including attending and/or organising trips
• To act as principal accompanist in the department. To include, accompaniment of rehearsals, lessons, performances, exam entries and VMT lessons as required
• Assisting with theory and composition lessons as required
• Contributing to the school VMT lessons
• Supervising student practice sessions
• Assist in directing ensembles with the opportunity to establish new ones and participate where possible
• Assist with teaching of academic music lessons. There may be the opportunity to take classes for those interested in this area of personal development
• Offer other assistance as required to support the work of the music department
• To be fully involved with the busy life of a boarding school, to include boarding and other supervisory duties, sport and/or activities

Essential Criteria:

• Graduate in Music or postgraduate qualification in Music
• Excellent keyboard skills

Desirable Criteria:

• Choral and instrumental directing
• Organist experience
• Skills to livestream music events
• Understanding of composition

With its inclusive philosophy celebrating all musical genres, music is busy and popular at Bloxham. Keen to encourage everyone to get involved, all First Formers learn an instrument through our Musicians of the Future scheme and the whole school take part in the House Music Competition, the largest musical event of the year. Musicians of all ages and abilities are celebrated through a programme of 30 concerts throughout the year, including our Award Holders Recitals for music Scholars to hone their performing skills and presentation.

The Director of Music is supported by an administrator and a talented and hard working team of 18 Visiting Music Teachers as well as a Graduate Assistant (Music; Keyboard Specialist). 235 individual music lessons of 60 or 30 minute duration are taught every week on instruments and singing across the spectrum including Music Production lessons for budding producers and DJs.

The Music Department is housed in a self-contained building which incorporates a recital room, a modern music technology suite, classroom and numerous practice/teaching rooms. The music technology suite consists of 24 PCs, all running Sibelius and Cubase programmes and a separate dry room for recording purposes.

All pupils in the School in years 7-9 are taught music within the curriculum; thereafter, music is an option at both GCSE and A level with well above average class sizes. In the past two years, students went on to study music at Birmingham Conservatoire, Nottingham University, British Institute of Modern Music, Music Production at Falmouth College and one DJ has been signed to Chris Moyles’s record label.

The Music Department runs an orchestra, concert band, string orchestra, jazz band, close harmony group and various other instrumental ensembles. The excellent Chapel Choir currently includes 10% of the school population and regularly performs at St John’s, Hyde Park in London as well as leading Evensong Services at Litchfield Cathedral and Tewkesbury Abbey.

The Choir also performed at the Vatican as part of their tour to Rome in October 2019 and will be performing in Vienna this Easter. The Choir sing every Thursday in Chapel and at numerous other services and concerts throughout the year. All the musical activities and learning are supported by regular trips to the Royal Albert Hall, Royal College of Music and Birmingham Symphony Hall.

Working Hours: Full time, time time only. Fixed term until 31st August 2024.

Salary: £16,000 for the fixed term period of 1 academic year, including holiday pay.

Closing Date: 9am on Wednesday 1st February 2023

To apply for this role please complete the Bloxham School support staff application form at www.bloxhamschool.com/vacancy/graduate-assistant-music/. Applications will be assessed upon receipt, and we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. Therefore, an early application is strongly advised.