Director of Choral Activities

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £45,585 to £54,395 with potential progression once in post to £61,198

Hours: Part Time (15 hours per week)

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to August 2028

Role Summary

The University of Birmingham is appointing a new Director of Choral Activities as the current post holder, Professor Simon Halsey, becomes Emeritus Professor and refocuses his teaching role at the University. The MA Music: Choral Conducting pathway was founded at the University over a decade ago and alumni have gone on to work as chorus directors at major organisations including London Symphony Chorus, Dallas Symphony Chorus, Baltimore Choral Arts Society, Birmingham Opera Company, and St Paul’s Cathedral (London). The postholder will join a choral team alongside Professor Simon, Halsey Bob Chilcott, Julian Wilkins, Dr Paul Rodmell, and Mariana Rosas.

Please see www.birmingham.ac.uk/universitymusic for information about our choirs.

From the academic year 2025/26, the new Director of Choral Activities will lead our unique MA Music: Choral Conducting pathway, a programme with a strong focus on symphonic chorus repertory in collaboration with CBSO, alongside practical development of student skills with chamber choirs, liturgical choirs, and community choirs. Our programme also includes a variety of self-selected modules in music, giving the next generation of choir trainers comprehensive practical and theoretical training in preparation for their careers.

Main Duties

The new post holder will lead on the delivery and assessment of the course, as well as having oversight of the world-class choral activities at the University which are run through University Music. This part-time role ensures that the post holder can continue to work as a leading choral conductor alongside their role at the University, and flexibility in teaching will be possible for this post.

Person Specification

Applicants will be expected to have a significant profile in the choral world, preferably with experience teaching in a higher education setting, and should be willing to support students through their extensive international network of choral and orchestral colleagues.

Informal enquiries can be made to Ben Earle, email: b.n.earle@bham.ac.uk. 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment.
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working. 

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