Music Department
Music has been central to life at Winchester ever since its foundation in 1382 when William of Wykeham made provision for 16 choirboys, Quiristers, who still provide the treble line for the Chapel Choir. The Music Department is now one of the leading departments in the country, offering outstanding opportunities to musical boys.
Music is an important activity in the lives of most Wykehamists: two thirds of the boys learn an instrument, while many learn two or three. There are over seven hundred individual instrumental lessons given each week by a visiting staff of over fifty specialist teachers as well as six highly experienced full-time staff. Boys can study music at IGCSE and Pre-U, and many go on to read music at university. A large number of boys take music examinations with the Associated Board or with Trinity College: these include a significant number of diplomas each year.
Concerts take place every week, and all boys are given the opportunity to perform, whether in an informal concert, House choir or Glee Club (the school's Choral Society), or as part of one of the elite ensembles. There are two senior orchestras, a Wind Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, a junior string orchestra, a Baroque ensemble, string quartets, smaller jazz groups, rock groups, woodwind ensembles, brass ensembles, three choirs, three close harmony groups, and a regular programme of chamber music, as well as informal concerts that enable every boy to perform.
The Music School, which is located centrally within the school campus, offers excellent facilities for music-making, with a large rehearsal and concert hall, fifty teaching and practice rooms, a fully-equipped music technology classroom, recording studio, editing suite, percussion studio and rock room. New Hall, which was extensively refurbished in 2014, provides an outstanding performance space, with seating for 400, excellent back stage facilities and first-rate acoustics, while the College Chapel provides an inspirational venue for choral and instrumental music.
The school offers music scholarships and exhibitions to boys who show musical promise and who are keen to contribute to the musical life of the school. There are currently over sixty Music Scholars and Music Exhibitioners in the school. Ex-cathedral and collegiate choristers are particularly welcome, and many number amongst existing music award holders.
Boys are usually able to participate in masterclasses, workshops and concerts given each year by visiting artists. Recent visitors have included Mitsuko Uchida, Adrian Brendel, Felix Andrievsky, the Heath Quartet, Fretwork, the Marian Consort, Gabrieli Consort, Benjamin Grosvenor, James Gilchrist, Leif Ove Andsnes and The King's Singers.
The Winchester Junior Fellow Scheme
The Winchester Junior Fellowship Scheme (JF) was set up in 2006 with the aim to add diversity to the teaching at Winchester College by recruiting recent graduates from a wide variety of backgrounds to short-term positions. In the past, JFs have come from Australia, China, the USA and, of course, the UK. Although not essential, international experience is desirable, but what is most important is an awareness of wide cultural diversity.
All JFs will be expected to participate in the extra-curricular activities of the school, and to undertake evening duties in a boarding house.
Purpose of job
To provide piano accompaniment and coaching to pupils and ensembles; to manage the presentation of all school concerts, acting as Concert Manager; and to assist in the general work of the department.
Accompanist
To assist the Head of Piano, Dr Nicholas Salwey, in providing accompaniments for pupils at all levels. This will include:
* Accompanying individual pupils for concerts. There are often several concerts each week, ranging from informal concerts with boys offering very short items at any level, to evening concerts featuring major works with some very talented young instrumentalists and singers (for example, recent performances have included Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata, Schumann's Dichterliebe, and Finzi's Clarinet Concerto).
* Accompanying pupils for examinations, up to at least Grade 8 and possibly diploma level, as well as for IGCSE and Pre-U Music.
* Accompanying pupils for the annual Concerto Competition.
* Taking part in chamber ensembles with both boys and staff.
* Accompanying ensemble/choir rehearsals or performances when required.
All accompanying will be shared with other members of the department, but the successful candidate will be the second main accompanist. The school has a large number of grand pianos, including both a Steinway B and a Steinway D.
For the right candidate, some individual piano teaching may also be available.
Concert Manager
* To manage the presentation of all public concerts, including the production of programmes, liaison with catering/porters/cleaning/facilities teams, front of house, and stage management. Most events happen in the evenings and at weekends.
* To assist the Master of Music with the preparation and provision of all music for the school's orchestras, choirs and ensembles, including hiring, borrowing and purchasing music, preparation of parts (including the copying of bowings and other markings and, where appropriate, type-setting using Sibelius software).
* Delivering, setting out and collecting in sheet music for rehearsals and performances by the Symphony Orchestra, Glee Club (the school's choral society), and other groups as required.
* Managing the music library (orchestral, choral, chamber, instrumental and scores).
General tasks
Assisting other music staff to ensure the smooth running of the department. Depending on the skills of the appointee, the role may include any of the following:
* Coaching chamber groups or taking sectional rehearsals for larger ensembles.
* Playing/singing with school ensembles.
* Taking classes in aural or theory.
* Supervising practice times in Music School.
* Acting as door steward for examinations.
* Recording concerts and examination performances, and managing the department's music technology facilities.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will be an outstanding pianist with excellent sight-reading skills who is looking for further experience in an educational environment, or who wishes to extend their knowledge of the repertoire. He or she will probably hold a degree in music, and/or an advanced diploma, and be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for and experience of all aspects of musical performance. Attention to detail and good presentation skills are essential.
The exact role can be adapted to suit the abilities of the successful applicant, but a willingness to be involved in every aspect of the department, flexibility, initiative, good time management and a sense of humour will all be required. Hours will be flexible to take account of evening and weekend performances, and time will be made available for practice and for performances outside school, if requested.
Terms of Service
Start date
The College is looking to make an appointment to start in September 2019.
Salary
The starting salary will be GBP 20,000 (gross) per annum.
Hours of Work
This is a term time only position with the post-holder will work as agreed with the Master of Music. Attendance at all concerts and other Music School events is required.
Holidays
The College leave year runs from 1 September to 31 August. This position will be entitled to the statutory holiday requirements. Any Public Bank Holiday occurring during term time is deemed to be a normal working day. All leave must be taken outside of term time and any school musical commitments.
Accommodation
The successful applicant will be required for the better or proper performance of his/her duties to occupy and reside, as licensee and not as tenant, in accommodation provided by the College. The occupation of such premises is in accordance with the College's Terms of Service Occupancy. A full Inland Revenue exemption, including Council Tax, is currently in force. A modest charge is made as a contribution towards the maintenance costs.
Probation, Notice Periods
This employment is for a fixed term of one year, which may be extended to a maximum of two years by mutual agreement.
The first three months of employment will be a probationary period. During the probationary period, the notice required by either party to terminate employment will be four weeks. If employment is confirmed, the notice period will increase to one full term.
Pension
Under new regulations, all academic members of staff will be included in the Government Teachers' Pension Scheme, unless a valid opt out form is completed. Particulars of the scheme will be provided by the Teachers' Pension Scheme. The school will not contribute to any scheme other than the approved teachers' scheme.
Disclosure Check
As Winchester College is an educational establishment, a condition of employment will be that the successful candidate must consent to the school obtaining an Enhanced Level Disclosure check through the Disclosure and Barring Service. This will reveal all and unspent convictions, warnings, cautions and bind-overs. A policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on the school's Portal.
The jobholder's responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school's Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the teacher becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, they must report any concerns to the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead or in his/her absence the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Data Protection Statement
Winchester College collects and processes relevant personal data as part of its everyday operations and is obliged to process it in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. The school is the Data Controller of this data under the Act and is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office; its registration number is Z5751669.Any queries about this policy or how personal data is processed by the school should be referred to the Data Protection Liaison Officer.