Director of College Music (Maternity cover)

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Director of College Music (Maternity cover)

Application Deadline: 16 June 2025

Department: Chapel - Music

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Part Time

Location: Brasenose College

Compensation: GBP 19,337 - GBP 23,457 / year

Description

The Director of College Music will be responsible for providing Maternity cover for the academic year 2025 to 2026, supporting the musical life of the College through a varied programme of musical education, training and performance. They will foster College-wide relationships to develop the presence of music in College, including Chapel music, celebrating achievements and encouraging links with the wider community. The Director of College Music will represent music at Brasenose both within the College, and to outside parties.

The Director of Music reports directly to the Chaplain, who is ultimately responsible for the religious and musical activities of the College.

Brasenose College is one of the 38 Colleges that make up the University of Oxford. Founded in 1509, it is one of the older Colleges, situated on Radcliffe Square. Further information about the College, its Bylaws and Statutes can be found at www.bnc.ox.ac.uk.

Job Purpose

Brasenose College intends to appoint a part-time (0.5) Director of College Music from 1st September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter until 30th June 2026 on fixed term contract to cover maternity, on the equivalent of Grade 7 of the University scale. The person appointed will be required to support the provision of music for chapel services, including supervision of organ scholars and the choral contribution to worship; to organize and support a substantial programme of concerts, and generally to enhance the quantity and quality of musical participation and enjoyment in college. This is a position that provides coherent institutional support for a number of musical activities.

The musical life of Brasenose College is vibrant and thriving. The College is committed to the belief that music makes a strong contribution to an institutional atmosphere of academic excellence. The College has a large and enthusiastic non-auditioned chapel-choir principally made up of College members. A high standard of music is achieved at the weekly service of College Prayers (6.00pm on Sunday nights in term-time), with the accent on enjoyment and participation. College Prayers normally takes the form of Choral Evensong, with occasional variation including services of music and readings, and the celebration of a termly Choral Eucharist. There is scope for Cathedral-standard music in a smaller cohort of choral award holders: choral awards are offered both through the central awards process held by the Music Faculty each September, and internally for BNC students at the start of Michaelmas Term. Singing lessons are offered to all choral award holders.

Brasenose also runs a strong and varied programme of concerts throughout the academic year featuring a mixture of invited professional artists and talent from within the college. The Platnauer concerts, endowed by former Principal, Maurice Platnauer, have consistently featured internationally successful artists.

Principal Responsibilities

The duties of the Director of College Music fall into three principal areas:

Chapel Music
The Director of College Music will:

• Direct the College Chapel Choir, with the assistance of the Organ Scholars.
• Take overall responsibility for the recruitment, training and retention of the choir.
• Plan the Chapel music list in advance of each term, in consultation with the Chaplain.
• Lead choir rehearsals on the Thursday or Saturday of 0th week; on Thursdays and Sundays in weeks 1-7, and before the Choral Eucharist on one weekday per term.
• Supervise the Organ Scholars and oversee their development as accompanists of the choir and, where appropriate, as choral conductors.
• Attend weekly or bi-weekly review meeting with the Chaplain which may also include the and Organ Scholars in weeks 1 to 7 of term.
• Offer constructive feedback on the performance of music in Chapel at the review meeting and plan the performance of forthcoming music with the Organ Scholars.
• Meet with each Organ Scholar to review his/her progress and gather feedback.
• Organise occasional masterclasses for Choral and Organ Scholars.
• Take responsibility for resourcing the music library and supervising the Choir Librarian.
• Provide music for College gaudies in liaison with the Development Office. Play the organ at other College and chapel services such as memorial services or alumni events as stipulated by the Development team. Separate remuneration will be available for memorials, funerals and weddings.
• The Director of College Music is responsible for playing or finding an appropriate substitute for weddings in the College chapel in the event they are unable to attend themselves.

College Music
The Director of College Music will organise and stage-manage:

• The termly Platnauer Concert and drinks reception (usually on Friday of 3rd week of term at 6.00 p.m.) in liaison with the Buttery staff; entertaining Platnauer Concert performers at Formal Hall.
• A number of concerts per term for instrumentalists, singers and small groups within College, including annual concerts by the Choral and Music Scholars, and annual short recitals by each Music Scholar, an annual Staff/SCR recital, and termly recitals for those of all standards/abilities.
• A series of organ recitals each term (from Michaelmas term 2025) to mark the arrival of the new organ in chapel.

The Director of College Music will be responsible for:

• Monitoring expenditure of the annual Music Budget, reporting these to the Chapel and Music Committee.
• Publicising College music events through print and electronic media, including the publication of a Music Term-card.
• Overseeing the College's instruments, arranging tuning and repairs where necessary, and purchasing new instruments as appropriate.
• Arranging practice facilities and times for visiting teachers and musicians, and online booking process for students.
• Connecting musicians around college and promoting opportunities for aspiring and established musicians in all genres.
• Keeping records of concert programmes for the College Archives.
• Providing an annual review of music in College for the Brazen Nose.
• Updating the Development Office with news of significant achievements in College musical life.
• Developing activities in co-ordination with the Development Office, including a biennial music and choir reunion.
• Sustaining and nurturing relationships with alumnae and benefactors relating to musical life at College.
• Writing and providing programmes for all concerts.
• Reviewing and updating all online information and other literature regarding music at Brasenose.

Scholarships
The Director of College Music will take responsibility for:

• Selection and appointment of one Organ Scholar per annum, through the University Organ Scholars Scheme and in co-operation with the Chaplain and relevant academic staff and tutors during September of each year.
• Participating in the annual University-wide open day for organ and choral scholars at the beginning of Trinity Term.
• Auditioning and appointing choral scholars through the University Choral Scholars scheme (up to 8 Choral Scholars).
• Auditioning and appointing additional Choral Scholars, 4 Choral Exhibitions, and 4 Music Scholars from within the current student body at the beginning of the academic year.
• Supervising scholars, maintaining regular communication to ensure that they satisfactorily fulfil the duties of their scholarships and derive maximum benefit.
• Liaising with Organ and Music Scholars to provide appropriate tuition for the term of their Scholarship.
• Coordinating the tuition of the Choral Scholars and Exhibitioners and supervising the work of the Vocal Tutor.
• Reporting on the appointment and progress of scholars to the Chapel and Music Committee each term.
• Organisation and administration of choir day trips.

Person Specification

Essential criteriaThe successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• Musical ability and qualifications:
  • The successful candidate will be a highly skilled organist with experience of playing church music and liturgy. They will have higher level keyboard skills, such as ARCO qualifications and the post holder is expected to be a graduate.
• Significant experience of choir training and choral conducting to a high level within a church, school or college setting or similar.
• Experience of selection and supervision of organists, singers, and musicians in a collegiate environment or equivalent.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a proven ability to motivate and direct singers and musicians; must be able to co-ordinate and mentor them effectively.
• Efficient organisation and administration skills.
• The ability to manage a budget and monitor costs.
• The ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with a broad range of staff and students and external contacts including supporting the Development team's work with alumni.
• Good judgement in musical planning for a wide range of different needs, occasions and skills.
• Sympathy with the traditions and aims of the College and its chapel.
• A willingness to be flexible in managing the varying workload across the academic year.

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience of working within an Oxbridge College or similar.
• Previous experience of Oxbridge organ and choral scholarship process.
• FRCO diploma or equivalent.
• A post graduate qualification in music.
• It is desirable that the Director of College Music is resident within commuting distance of Oxford during full term to facilitate involvement with the musical and social life of the College.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Appointment: This is a fixed term, part-time post and there will be a probationary period of three months. The appointment will be conditional on verification of the successful candidate's right to work checks in advance of employment commencing and subject to receipt of satisfactory references and medical clearance through the University's Occupational Health Services

Remuneration The post is part-time, and the salary will be equivalent to the University's Grade 7 pay scale. The current part-time salary is in the range of GBP 19,337.00 per annum to GBP 23,456.50 per annum (0.5 of full time equivalent) according to qualifications and experience. The figure will be adjusted in line with any salary reviews that may occur during the tenure of the post.

Hours of Work

The hours are 17.5 per week based on a full time equivalent of 35 hours per week. It is expected that the post holder may work more than 17.5 hours per week during term time to fulfil the obligations of the role, however hours of work during the College vacations are more flexible and will be agreed in advance with the Chaplain.

A willingness and ability to adopt a flexible approach to working hours and duties is necessary, with regular weekend and evening work required.

The annual leave entitlement for the part time contract is 15 days per annum plus 4 public holidays. N.B. Sufficient leave must be reserved to be taken during the Christmas vacation when College is closed for 5 days.

Benefits:

• Pension. Eligible for membership of the Universities' Superannuation Scheme (USS), with current employer contributions of 21.6 % and employee contributions of 9.8%. The successful candidate will be entered into the scheme on joining, but on-going membership of the scheme is optional.
• Salary Exchange Scheme. Staff who join USS will also be enrolled into the salary Exchange Contributions Scheme on or around three months after joining.
• Meals. As a member of the SCR all lunches and two dinners free of charge to be taken during term and vacations when the kitchens are open, with entitlement to invite 3 guests to dinner, but none to lunch. The cost of wine or alcoholic drinks and dessert consumed either by you or your guests will be a personal charge deducted from salary. (These arrangements are subject to review from time to time).
• Welfare Support. Employee Assistance programme- a free confidential telephone helpline and online medical guidance. Free annual flu jab.
• Cycle to Work/Bike loan. Monthly deductions from salary.
• Sports Facilities. Access to University Sports Club and facilities.
• University card. For discounts in shops, cafes and restaurants and University Leisure facilities.

Other information: No smoking is allowed on any of the College sites.

Data protection: All data supplied by applicants will be used only for the purposes of determining their suitability for the post and will be held in accordance with the principles of general data protection Act 2018. Please see the relevant privacy policy on the website:

https://www.bnc.ox.ac.uk/downloads/GDPR/PrivacyNotice_AcademicandNonAcad...

Further Information

• The closing date for applications is noon on Tuesday 16 Monday June 2025.
• Candidates will receive an acknowledgement email after their application has been successfully submitted via the online portal.
• A short-list will be drawn up shortly afterwards. Candidates are asked to provide a telephone and email address, indicating where they can be reached.
• Interviews are to be held on Monday 23rd June 2025 in person. This will include playing a suitable organ piece of around 5 minutes as part of the interview.
• Candidates who are selected for interview will also be asked to submit a video/digital recording in advance of the interview clearly showing their conducting of a choir performing a choral piece.
• Applicants will be asked to provide details for two referees.
• The College Chaplain, the Revd David Sheen or the Director of Music, Polina Sosnina would be happy to discuss the post informally with anyone who might be interested. Email: chaplain@bnc.ox.ac.uk or polina.sosnina@bnc.ox.ac.uk.

Recruitment Monitoring
This post is subject to recruitment monitoring to ensure that the selection process is consistent with the law and the College's Equal Opportunity Policy and Code of Practice. The information supplied on the form will play no part in the selection process and will not be seen by any members of the shortlisting panel.

Diversity and Equal Opportunities Statement
The policy and practice of Brasenose College require that all staff are afforded equal opportunities within employment, and we welcome applications for flexible working. Entry into employment with the College and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. Subject to statutory provisions, no applicant or member of staff will be treated less favourably than another because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.