Graduate Musician

The School:

Merchant Taylors’ School is a large Independent Boys’ School, situated in 286 acres of parkland in Northwood, Middlesex. The School was founded in 1561, is owned by the Merchant Taylors’ Educational Trust and moved to its present site in 1933. There are four distinct boys’ day schools on campus. The Nursery, the Pre-Prep & the Prep cater for 340 boys, while the Senior School has some 930 pupils. The School employs over 140 teachers and 160 Support staff across Merchant Taylors’ School.

Summary of role:

The principal purpose of the post is to assist with the day-to-day running of the Music Department. Whilst a large part of the role will be directed towards co-curricular music, there will also be academic and administrative tasks to be undertaken as required. Opportunities to acquire teaching and further music administration experience, including the coaching of ensembles during the academic year, can be discussed with the Director of Music and tailored to the individual’s interests and experience.

Main duties and responsibilities:

The Graduate Musician should see their role in the context of whole-school achievement and as being crucial in improving the quality of education offered at Merchant Taylors’ School.

The Graduate Musician will adhere to the standard expectations, commitments and duties as stipulated in the Teaching Staff Handbook, promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible and with whom they come into contact.

The Graduate Musician will be have particular responsibilities to:

 ·        Prepare, set up for, and clear away after all weekly rehearsals.

·        Take registers of ensembles which are directed by visiting music teachers on the day of the rehearsal.

·        Assist with tuning of instruments before weekly rehearsals, and organise practice parts.

·        Attend weekly School Choir rehearsals, including sectional rehearsals, as the accompanist.

·        Attend weekly evening rehearsals of the MTS Choral Society for the Carol Service (in the second half of the Autumn term), and in the Spring term, as the accompanist under the direction of the Assistant Director of Music.

·        Attend occasional weekend rehearsals prior to major concerts, as necessary.

·        Attend School concerts, and oversee the stage management for concerts, including the relevant preparation and planning for this aspect of such events.

·        Support the Music Department in the recording of GCSE and A Level practical coursework and performances at Informal and Chamber Music Concerts, and by editing these recordings thereafter.

·        Rehearse with, and accompany, pupils in their ABRSM and GCSE or A Level examination performances as required.

·        Rehearse with, and accompany, pupils in Informal Concerts, as required.

·        Assist in rehearsals for the School Musical Theatre productions, as appropriate.

·        Maintain the Music Department’s inventory and music libraries.

·        Contribute to the preparation, planning and PR of concerts, visits and tours.

·        Accompany staff on school trips and activities.

·        Act as a deputy or assistant for ensemble rehearsals in the event of staff absence.

·        Assist with Music Department administration as requested by the Director of Music or Music Administrator.

·        Attend weekly Music Department meetings.

 Please note this role involves lifting, carrying and moving of musical equipment. The Graduate Musician may from time to time be asked to take on additional tasks that are suitable to the role.

 Time devoted to evening and weekend commitments, including evening rehearsals with the MTS Choral Society, is offset by time off during the week in lieu, usually Wednesday afternoon, as agreed with the Director of Music.

Safeguarding responsibilities:

It is the post holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact and to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding Policy Statement at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School s/he must report any concerns to the Head Master.

Other benefits:

15% employer contribution to a defined contribution pension scheme (Contributory)

Life cover 4 x annual salary and income protection.

Access to a cash flexible benefit in lieu of pension contribution

Access to a number of lifestyle benefits including Cycle to Work, ULEV cars, health screening, medical cover and retail discount vouchers via our benefit provider

 (all of the above subject to eligibility criteria)

Use of School leisure facilities, including pool, gym and lake.

Lunch provided free of charge when the School Catering Department is open

Free parking on site, with access to electric vehicle charging