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 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 role

We’re now looking for a band leader to shape and lead the group. Someone who can run weekly sessions, help players build confidence, stretch their skills, and create a space that feels supportive, inclusive and properly welcoming.

The main focus of this role is leading the band in a way that helps everyone play better together. You’ll build strong ensemble skills, open the door to improvisation in a space that feels safe and supportive, and help players develop their individual technique as part of Make Music Adults.

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 excellent written communication skills, including creation of music teaching materials
• Commitment to teamwork and collaboration

Skills and knowledge of:

• Safeguarding in education contexts
• 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
• Programme (artistic): 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
• Programme (operational): 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.

Our commitment to your development

At The Glasshouse, we’re always learning. And we know that when it comes to training, everyone is different. So, you’ll work closely with your manager to identify what your training journey will look like. If you have a specific interest or you would like to develop your skills in a certain area, we want to hear about it.

This may be through gaining a qualification, on‑the‑job training or learning within your team, but whatever path you take, through training and support, we’ll help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to thrive in your role.

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion

At The Glasshouse, we encourage a working environment that’s welcoming, inclusive, and diverse. Different backgrounds, views and experiences are valued so everyone can be themselves.

Our venue and programmes are for everyone, so we want to make sure this opportunity is available to everyone, no matter your background or the challenges you’ve faced.

For example, we would love to hear from you if you:

• Are D/deaf or have a disability, learning difficulty or significant long‑term health condition which affects your daily life
• Describe yourself as neurodiverse (this might include dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD, autistic spectrum, and others)
• Grew up in a family receiving Universal Credit or state benefits
• Have ever lived in council or social housing or been on the housing register
• Have ever lived in sheltered accommodation or experienced homelessness
• Experienced being in care at any point in your life
• Have been a refugee or asylum seeker
• Are from the African, South, East and South–East Asian, Middle East, Latinx or North African diaspora, or have experienced racism

These are some common examples of challenging circumstances but there may be others. Everyone is welcome to apply.

We do not discriminate because of race, colour, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or expression, age, disability or any other protected characteristic as outlined in the Equality Act 2010.

Safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expect all of those that work with us to share this commitment. We operate a robust safeguarding framework and continuous assessment and development to support safer working practice across our workforce. Our roles are subject to a safer recruitment process which includes relevant background checks and the disclosure of criminal records, sanctions, and investigations where appropriate.

Right to Work

We welcome applications from candidates already eligible to work in the UK or those that can apply for a visa granting permission to work in the UK (e.g. dependent visas, ancestry etc.) that do not require sponsorship. You will be asked to share proof of this prior to receiving any offer of employment.

Our application process

Closing date for applications: 12 noon, Monday 2nd February

Interview date: Wednesday 11th February

We understand that interviews can be a nerve‑racking experience. We want you to feel comfortable so you can be yourself and shine, so if you have any questions about the role or the application process, please contact the box office.