Head of Brass

We are seeking to appoint an inspirational musician as Eton College’s next Head of Brass. The Head of Brass will oversee all teaching and ensembles relating to brass and will have line management responsibility for 9 Visiting Music Teachers. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Music, the holder of this post will work alongside other Heads of Section to ensure the smooth running of the department's co-curricular provision.

Please note that this is a part-time position. Whilst there is currently no one-to-one brass teaching as part of this position, it is expected that the Head of Brass will further expand the number of brass players in the school and go on to include instrumental teaching as part of their role (though this will depend on their instrumental specialism). If the role were to include teaching in the future, the salary for the role would be uplifted accordingly.

Music at Eton includes seven full-time music teachers, led by the Precentor & Director of Music. Instrumental and vocal tuition is provided by a team of seventy-eight Visiting Music Teachers reporting to Heads of Section for Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Piano, Singing, Percussion, Organ, Guitar, Commercial Music, Music Technology and Jazz. The department also includes a Studio Technician, Music Resources Manager and a six-strong administrative team.

Over half the boys in the school take individual music lessons with around 1300 lessons and 55 ensemble rehearsals taking place each week. There are currently six pupils in the National Youth Orchestra. Last year’s leavers included the BBC Young Composer of the Year as well as the winner of BBC Young Musician 2024.

Ensembles involving brass players include two symphony orchestras, two concert bands, four jazz ensembles and a reggae/ska band. Brass ensembles are also formed for specific performances at different points in the year. The Symphony Orchestra undertakes three main orchestral concerts a year, with recent repertoire including Shostakovich's Symphony No.5, Stravinsky's Firebird Suite and Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. The orchestra embarks on international tours every three years and has performed at major European venues such as the Rudolfinum in Prague, the Kursaal in San Sebastian and, most recently, Radio Hall, Bucharest. The Senior Big Band also undertakes regular performances outside Eton, most recently at Ronnie Scott's and Pizza Express, Dean Street.

The Music Department incorporates a recording studio and editing suite, music technology teaching rooms, two large rehearsal/concert halls, organ room and numerous practice and teaching rooms for both instrumental and academic teaching. Beyond the department buildings, the College Chapel, Lower Chapel and School Hall are used for services and concerts. The School Hall recently underwent a major renovation, which has seen the space converted into a first-rate concert hall with hydraulic stage and adjustable acoustics. There are Steinway or Fazioli grand pianos in all of the major performance spaces, as well as eight pipe organs.

We are an equal opportunities employer and are seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds. We value individuality, difference, teamwork and the contribution everyone makes to the life of the school.

Benefits

Eton College offers a wide range of benefits, including a generous pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced Maternity / Paternity scheme, a cycle to work scheme, subsidised lunches during term time, free or heavily discounted access to the College’s sport and leisure facilities and discounts at local retailers and businesses.

Main Duties

• Develop and enhance brass playing throughout the College at all levels of ability;
• Manage and lead a team of 6 brass teachers, carrying out reviews and supporting them to develop their teaching practice and pedagogy. The Head of Brass also line manages the Bagpipe, Accordion and Indian Classical Music teachers;
• Appoint new teachers to their section when positions become available (in consultation with the Deputy Director of Music);
• Allocate all students who wish to study brass to the various teachers in the department;
• Assist all teachers, students and parents with any brass-related queries;
• Allocate pupils to ensembles;
• Organise the annual brass competition and occasional masterclasses and educational collaborations;
• Attract outstanding brass players to apply for Music Scholarships;
• Play a key role in the Music Scholarship audition panel;
• Oversee the maintenance of any school-owned brass instruments;
• Attend one Symphony Orchestra rehearsal per week and lead brass sectional rehearsals;
• Attend a 3-hour pre-season orchestra rehearsal on the first day of the Michaelmas and Summer terms;
• Co-direct the Senior Concert Band;
• Direct the Band of the Combined Cadet Force (Summer term only);
• Direct Senior and Junior Brass Ensembles;
• Supervise a small-scale student-devised music community engagement programme on Monday afternoons, with pupils visiting local primary schools;
• Attend concerts and events relevant to their section (including the 3 main orchestral concerts in the year);
• Attend a weekly department meeting;
• Supervise one music practice lesson for Music Scholars per week;
• Act as a music tutor to a small group of principal-study brass music scholars in their first two years;

All employees of Eton College are also expected to:

• Have a good understanding of safeguarding procedures, given all positions at Eton are classed as ‘regulated activity’.
• Demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This includes but is not limited to completing safeguarding training as required and ensuring any safeguarding updates issued by the College are read and understood.
• Understand and comply with procedures and legislation relating to confidentiality.
• Display a commitment to and promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion.

The Ideal Candidate

To be successful in this role, you will need to be able to demonstrate the following:

• Previous experience of teaching pupils in the 13 to 18 age range;
• A relevant diploma, professional music degree or equivalent qualification;
• Proven interest in brass pedagogy;
• Previous experience of one-to-one brass teaching;
• Previous experience of top-level professional brass performance;
• Experience of managing Visiting Music Teachers in an education environment would be desirable;
• Experience of coaching or directing instrumental ensembles;
• A ‘team’ player with a flexible and approachable manner;
• Excellent and adaptable written and oral communication skills in relation to staff, students and parents;
• Excellent organisational and IT skills;
• A positive and enthusiastic approach with a pro-active ‘can do’ attitude;
• The ability to adapt to changing situations.

Working Pattern

The working hours for this post are approximately 16 hours per week. Exactly how these hours are worked will be by mutual agreement with the Deputy Director of Music, and there may be a requirement to work some additional hours from time to time. There is some flexibility in terms of which days are worked but it must include Mondays (activities typically involving the Head of Brass on Mondays include a department meeting, brass chamber music, community engagement group, CCF band and Symphony Orchestra).

As a guide, the main symphony orchestra rehearses twice a week, on a Sunday (morning or evening) and Monday (evening). The Heads of Brass and Woodwind arrange a rota to ensure that one of them is present at every rehearsal. Senior Concert Band takes place on Tuesdays in the Michaelmas and Lent terms and Sundays in the Summer. Again, these rehearsals are covered in rotation between the Heads of Brass and Woodwind. Other ensembles could be arranged around the availability of the successful candidate and the boys involved.

This is a term time role (32 weeks per year), plus three days at the start of each term. This equates to 34 weeks per year. The post holder is also entitled to 5.6 weeks paid holiday each academic year (payment for this is included in the salary). Therefore, the post holder will be paid for 39.6 weeks in total, and any remaining weeks will be considered unpaid leave (although the salary for the position will be paid over 12 months).

Please note, annual leave cannot be taken during school term periods, and all of the entitlement must be taken during the first arising non-term periods. If a bank holiday falls during a school term period, the post holder will be required to work this day and will receive an additional day’s holiday in lieu.

Interview Schedule

Thursday 12th February: On-line Teams interviews

Thursday 26th February: In-person interviews and assessment day

About The College

We are an equal opportunities employer and are seeking applications from suitable candidates from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to creating and sustaining an environment that values individuality and difference and celebrates the diversity of both staff and pupils by fostering perseverance, tolerance and integrity. We believe in equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

DISCLOSURE CHECKS

Eton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to, reference checks with past employers, an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (including Barred List information), an online search and, where applicable, Prohibition checks. If you are successful in your application, you will be required to complete a DBS Disclosure Application Form. Any information disclosed will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or Code of Practice published by the DBS. The College is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings (including those which would normally be considered as “spent” under the Act) must be declared, subject to the DBS filtering rules. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to attempt to apply for a position at the College.