Cardiff University School of Music is seeking a leader for a new school ensemble, to commence in September 2021. This position would be offered on a freelance, third-party contractor basis (paid via invoice) and would suit a practising musician with experience and interest in guiding small ensembles of young and aspiring musicians.
Remit: to direct the pop collective, train students in the fundamentals of popular music performance and production, and develop the artistic and, ideally, the pedagogical direction of the ensemble in consultation with relevant members of the academic staff; to oversee auditions.
Cardiff University School of Music is one of the largest university schools of music in the United Kingdom with an average intake of 70 undergraduate and 40 postgraduate students each year. The School’s programmes include performance, composition, analysis, musicology and ethnomusicology, and it places particular importance on performance as an essential component in a musical education that balances and combines practical and academic skills. While the School has traditional strength in Western classical musical traditions, it has broadened its remit in recent years, as exemplified by the recent addition of a jazz ensemble, a Javanese gamelan ensemble, and a West-African ensemble to its portfolio of school ensembles. In addition to these professionally led school ensembles, the School of Music encourages and supports numerous student-led ensembles representing a broad range of musical traditions. The Pop Collective would contribute to the breadth of our performance culture as well as enhance provision for the small but growing number of students with expertise in popular genres of music. All university ensembles contribute to the educational goals of the school, and we are looking for ensemble directors who wish to collaborate with academic members of staff, other ensemble directors, and practical tutors in providing an integrated educational experience to students.
The Pop Collective is a new school ensemble. In collaboration with the Director of Performance and other School of Music staff, the director will have a significant role in shaping it. We envisage the ensemble to comprise multiple small groups of students which will rehearse independently and meet with the ensemble director at regular intervals during the teaching weeks (generally October to December and February to May), either during the week or on weekends. The ensemble will be open to both performing musicians and students with studio/tech experience. Entry to the group will be by auditions held during University enrolment week (last week in September), or, for students with studio/tech backgrounds, by portfolio submission. It is expected that the groups formed will vary in format and stylistic orientation as is appropriate to the participating students and the pedagogical goals of the ensemble director. A minimum of one performance will take place each year.
Person specification:
The Director of the Pop Collective will have the proven ability to inspire, teach and guide musical groups. They should have the versatility and ability to guide students in a range of different contemporary styles, and have excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills. The director should also articulate an artistic vision for the School of Music Rock Collective and demonstrate the ability to direct the Collective in a manner that furthers and enhances the education of the students.
To apply, please send a curriculum vitae, a cover letter detailing your suitability, and the names and contact information for three potential referees, specifying the nature of your relationship to them, to MusicOffice@cardiff.ac.uk before 5pm on 30 June 2021. Short-listed candidates will be invited to an audition and interview to take place on the 19th or 20th of July. The hourly rate for this position is £65 and it is anticipated that this post will not exceed 60 hours per academic year. A review of the ensemble and its director will take place at the end of the first year. For more information about Cardiff University and the School of Music please visit www.cardiff.ac.uk/music.