Jazz Ensemble Band Leader – Swing Band in Gateshead

Deadline for applications:12 noon, Monday 2nd February
Reports to:Senior Programme Leader
Location:Gateshead, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
Working hours:Weekly sessions will take place on Fridays 3 – 4.30pm, during term time. 10 week term.
Salary:Scale Point 50 including planning and preparation (£47.47 per session)

Freelance applications may also be considered at an equivalent rate (less employer on costs), please state whether this is your preference in your application.

About The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

We’re a place where you can hear rock legends or pop icons on the same night as folk trios or opera singers. Where new musicians are nurtured and showcased on the same stages as platinum- selling performers. And where youth choirs and tambourine- shaking toddlers practice in the same spaces as our acclaimed orchestra Royal Northern Sinfonia.

Whether you’re front of house, waiting in the wings or keeping things running behind the scenes you will be part of a team that means 2 million people enjoy top – notch gigs, concerts and classes in our own venue at Gateshead Quays, out in communities across the North East and through live- streamed performances and digital lessons.

About you

Are you self-motivated, happy working in a team environment and flexible enough to adapt to a changing environment? If this sounds like you, read on to find out how you can hit the ground running.

About the band

The Swing Band at The Glasshouse celebrates the sound that shaped so much of the music we still love today. Big band. Swing. Jump blues. Jazz with drive, joy and serious groove.

Drawing on the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Quincy Jones, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Thad Jones, Harry James and more, this ensemble is about honouring those traditions while keeping them alive and kicking in the North East.

Sessions focus on swing feel and classic repertoire – the building blocks of modern music – played by a full big band line-up. Saxophones, trombones and trumpets sit alongside a rhythm section of drums, bass, piano, guitar and keys to create that unmistakable sound.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for a leader to guide the ensemble week to week, shaping a strong, confident band sound while supporting each player to grow.

The main focus of the role is developing ensemble playing, encouraging improvisation in a space that feels safe and supportive, and helping players build their individual technique and reading skills. You’ll work with groups of adults, meeting people where they’re at and helping them move forward together.

You’ll be comfortable leading a mixed-instrument ensemble, balancing structure with flexibility, and keeping sessions focused, welcoming and musically satisfying. You know how to get a band swinging – and how to help people enjoy the process of getting there.

It would be great if you had experience in:

• Leading with the focus on achieving personal, social, and musical outcomes.
• Leading music learning using a wide range of approaches and pedagogies.
• Developing and using inclusive music practices and pedagogy.
• Creating music resources to support activities and performances.
• Excellent organisational skills, including: 1. Excellent written communication skills, including creation of music teaching materials. 2. Commitment to teamwork and collaboration.

Skills and knowledge of:

• Community music and musical inclusion.
• The social and personal reasons why people experience barriers to learning.
• The historical origins and social context of the songs and music being used.
• Current policy and plans related to musical inclusion and music education.

You’ll be responsible for:

Strategy and Plans

• Keep up to date with The Glasshouse policies and plans.
• Maintain an understanding of the needs of young people and adults alongside the barriers they might experience.

Evaluation and Reporting

• Contribute to the evaluation and monitoring of programme performance where required.
• Support and contribute to consultation with adults as required.
• Keep up to date with current developments in relation to your own performance practice, specialist education and learning practice.
• Develop and lead high-quality inclusive music learning activities performances, events, rehearsals, recordings and resources as agreed.
• Lead exemplary practice in inclusive group music making.
• Support the development and maintenance of excellent and inclusive music practice, social and musical pedagogies within Make Music Adult.
• Work with colleagues to remove barriers to engagement and make sure music learning activities meet a range of different needs, interests, and contexts.
• Attend and/or lead performances, events and programme activities as required.
• Attend team and organisational meetings as agreed.
• Understand and work in line with operational handbooks and guidelines.

Marketing and Comms

• Work with the Senior Programme Leader to support effective recruitment of participants.

Health and Safety and safeguarding

• Accept individual responsibility for reading, understanding and working in line with Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Equality and Diversity, Dignity at Work and other policies with the Trust.

General

• Advocate for North Music Trust and specifically the Make Music programme.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the post and in line with the needs of the organisation.

But don’t worry if you’re not a perfect match for the job description and criteria, we’d love you to apply anyway. We are more interested in your determination, positivity, and willingness to get stuck in.

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

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Mon 2 Feb, 2026