Music Director, Cromwell Singers

Music Director, Cromwell Singers

Cromwell Singers of Newbury

Cromwell Singers is seeking a new Musical Director for April 2027
Cromwell Singers is looking to appoint a new MD for April 2027 following the retirement of Trevor Defferd after 6 years with the choir.
During Trevor’s tenure the choir has gone from strength to strength and has achieved a reputation for good quality and highly enjoyable concerts. We are looking for a skilled and motivating MD to continue this journey.
Cromwell Singers is a community choir of c.50 singers drawn from areas in and around Newbury, with a very supportive and active committee. Our goals are to develop our abilities, enjoy ourselves and raise money for local charities. We have been doing this for 50 years and recently celebrated in an anniversary concert in July 2026 and now need a new MD to help us to continue to achieve these goals.
We rehearse on Tuesday evenings in Speen Hall, in Newbury and perform in venues in and around Newbury. Our usual repertoire is wide including musical theatre, folk, traditional English, classical and more.
We perform three major concerts per year in early December, late March/early April and early July with rehearsals during term time from September to July. We would be happy to share recordings of our concerts to give candidates a better feel for what we do.
MD’s fees are negotiable, based on 3 concerts and approximately 36 rehearsals per year, plus miscellaneous related tasks (see also attached overview assumptions), paid monthly. Please note our current fees cover an MD who also plays in rehearsals, without an accompanist (although we use an accompanist for concerts). Fees are reviewed annually in line with RPI. This will be a self-employed, freelance position.
Applications are invited for this post by October 21st 2026. Applications received after this date may not be considered.
For further information and to apply please contact the secretary Murrie Jackson on email murrie@ackery.me.uk. Please also see below for greater information regarding this post.
For an informal discussion about the post please contact Jim Clark on email jim.clark@gmx.co.uk. In addition, you are also very welcome to contact our current MD, Trevor, on email trevordefferd@hotmail.co.uk for an MD’s view of the choir.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Jim Clark
Chair, Cromwell Singers

MD overview

As a community choir, we have a range of musical experience from trained singers to singers with limited experience so our MD will need to be comfortable with that. In addition, we really do place musical enjoyment quite highly, so a similar outlook would certainly help.

MD is expected to:

• Take all or certainly most rehearsals
• Conduct all public performances (normally Saturday afternoons)
• Lead extra sessions, where required eg extra practice for certain parts
• Occasionally, when needed, make piano recordings of parts to aid choir member’s own preparations
• Plan and lead all rehearsals to ensure the choir is ready for concerts
• Liaise with the committee on all key choir matters
• Ensure a deputy on those few occasions when you are not there, with the agreement of the committee
• Recommend to and work with the committee to plan future concerts, including liaising with our librarian in good time to ensure availability of required music
• Recommend and appoint musicians and soloists for concerts, as required and in conjunction with the committee (and agree fees - formal engagement will be completed by the committee).
• Occasionally attend committee meetings, where required (typically one afternoon session, per term)

MD - professional experience

Experience and skills

• Is an accomplished choir MD with proven success in directing other choirs of a similar standard and style
• Enjoys and has experience of leading a choir with a wide range of abilities (we would welcome you to one of our rehearsals so that you get a good feel for our choir)
• Is energetic, enthusiastic and adaptable
• Is an experienced MD, able to work with musicians and soloists for concerts
• Has the ability to plan interesting, varied, stimulating and enjoyable programmes for our choir, demonstrating how programming and presentation attract and retain audiences
• Is comfortable introducing works from the stage, providing context and enthusiasm that enhances audience engagement
• Has good expectations of members and employs diverse strategies to inspire continuous improvement
• Plans for rehearsals and concerts efficiently and communicates effectively with the committee.

The ideal candidate would be someone who:

• Can be MD and accompanist for rehearsals & our fees assume this, although we are happy to discuss alternative arrangements
• Is patient working with differing abilities & happy to adapt our repertoire to reflect this
• Well organised, with good strong communication skills
• Is able to work creatively within financial constraints
• Helps shape concerts as memorable experiences not simply performances
• Can operate both as MD & accompanist – this is how Trevor has operated & this would ideally be our preferred approach (& our fees offer is based on this assumption)
• Is a singer and vocal coach and can demonstrate vocal technique across the voice range in an accessible and approachable way.

Application process and schedule

1. Post advertised – 23.9.26
2. Applications closure date – 21.10.26
3. Interviews for shortlisted candidates – w/c 2.11.26
4. Selected shortlisted candidates to take rehearsal – 10 or 17.11.26
5. Confirmation of offer and acceptance of position – 23.11.26
6. Start in new role – start of April 2027.

Your application should include:

• Covering letter, explaining why you would like the position & what you feel you can bring to Cromwell Singers
• CV of experience
• References and testimonials, from 2 professional sources and 1-2 choirs you have worked with
• Your vision for the choir over the next 3-5 years.

Contract

The successful applicant will contract with Cromwell Singers on a self-employed basis and not as an employee. They will initially be engaged for a probationary first 3 month term. After this time, the contract will become a rolling contract subject to one full term’s notice from either party, such notice to be effective at the end of the next term.

Cromwell Singers MD