National Youth Choir is delighted to invite submissions from experienced and exceptional choral directors interested in applying for the role of Principal Conductor of National Youth Choir (9-15 Years). We are looking for an outstanding choral director, who has significant experience of successfully developing and delivering exciting and inspirational choral training and performance programmes at the highest level, for and with young people.

A new conductor will be awarded a contract on a freelance, self-employed basis for four years from autumn 2024 to oversee creative planning and delivery for the choir. The annual fee is up to £14,600 for core work. Fee will vary depending on the number of courses and volume of strategic work undertaken. Further fees are payable for leading auditions and other additional work. Further details in the job pack.

The new Principal Conductor will contribute to National Youth Choir’s ambitions as a national and international community and champion of excellent and inclusive youth singing for young people from all backgrounds. Applicants for this opportunity should demonstrably share our values and our belief in the importance of inclusive practice and representation. This will help us ensure we address barriers so that all young people are able to access singing and to develop their musical skills to the highest levels.

National Youth Choir is committed to building a more representative and inclusive sector. Our music policy embraces repertoire including classical, contemporary and new music from a wide range of cultures and choral traditions. It is a priority in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion planning to develop a more representative choral workforce. Candidates should have a good knowledge of a breadth of choral repertoire; we are interested in hearing from candidates who come from a range of choral and vocal traditions.

Download the full job specification

You can find further details about this role and the National Youth Choir as an organisation within the job pack for this role

Download job specification

How to apply

Applicants should submit the following application information via email to [email protected] by 9am on 3rd June 2024, with the role title in the subject line:

• a CV, including details of two referees who can confirm your suitability for the contract. This should be no more than two sides of A4.
• a video OR written personal statement which outlines (a) your suitability for the role, and (b) your initial vision for National Youth Choir (9-15 Years). This should be no more than a six-minute video statement or two sides of A4 if written.
• a five minute video of you rehearsing a group of singers. Ideally, this rehearsal footage would demonstrate your work with the relevant age group, but we recognise the difficulties this might present; please get in touch to discuss this if necessary. Using a phone or tablet to record will be sufficient quality, as long as we can hear your voice clearly in the video.
• a completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring form
• a completed cover sheet

If submitting a video, please send via a private weblink (e.g. to Youtube) or via file transfer using WeTransfer. Please do not attach large video files to your email application.

We are keen to draw from a wide pool of experienced conductors and submissions are welcome from both UK-based and international applicants. However, applicants must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom, and National Youth Choir will not cover any international travel expenses for attendance at selection events, or to enable attendance at courses and performances.

We are happy to discuss any access needs or accommodations to support you in taking part in the contract selection process. Please email Emma Coulson at [email protected] to arrange a discussion.