The Position

The principal purpose of the post is to assist with the day-to-day running of the Music Department. Whilst a large part of the role will be directed towards Co-Curricular music, particularly as the principal accompanist and rehearsal pianist in the department, there will also be academic and administrative tasks to be undertaken as required. Opportunities to acquire teaching and further music administration experience, including the coaching of ensembles during the academic year, can be discussed with the Director of Music and tailored to the individual’s interests and experience.

The Graduate Musician should see their role in the context of whole-school achievement and as being crucial in improving the quality of education offered at Merchant Taylors’ School.

The Graduate Musician will adhere to the standard expectations, commitments and duties as stipulated in the Teaching Staff Handbook, promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible and with whom they come into contact.

Roles

There are four full-time teachers (including the Director of Music) who share all academic teaching, supported by a Music Administrator and the Graduate Musician in term time. In addition to the academic teaching, each full-time member of the Department is involved in the co-curricular music programme.

The Director of Music is a composer and string specialist who conducts the Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra as well as coaching the senior Chamber Music ensemble. He composes new music for ensembles both at school and elsewhere.

The Assistant Director of Music is a choirmaster, pianist, and composer who conducts the School Choir, Chamber Choir and works closely with the Director of Music to oversee the development of choral music at the School.

The Head of Academic Music is a pianist, organist and woodwind specialist who conducts the Concert Band and directs the Recorder Consort.

The fourth Music Teacher is another orchestral (woodwind) specialist who conducts the Wind Band, takes wind and brass sectional rehearsals for the Symphony Orchestra and directs the Dixieland Band.

In addition to the full-time staff 23 visiting music teachers offer instrumental and singing tuition at the school.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Graduate Musician will have particular core responsibilities:

• To act as principal accompanist in the Music Department, arranging to rehearse with pupils in preparation for ABRSM examinations, GCSE and A-Level performances, and informal concerts as required.

• To accompany the weekly Choir and Chamber Choir rehearsals, including sectional rehearsals, as well as weekly evening rehearsals of the MTS Choral Society.

• To set up for and clear away after weekly ensemble rehearsals and assist with the registration of pupils at rehearsals directed by Visiting Music Teachers on the day of the rehearsal.

• To support the Department in the recording of various performances, and, for concerts, helping with various aspects of stage management.

• To attend weekly Music Department meetings.

• To assist the Music Administrator in various ways ensuring the smooth running of the Department as requested by the Director of Music. This will include organising music for choirs, ensembles and individuals; contributing to the preparation, planning and PR of concerts, visits and tours; and assisting with the maintenance of the Department’s equipment, inventory and music libraries.

• At times, to contribute to the Department outside of normal timetabled hours, for example at the Choral Society rehearsals, concerts, occasional weekend rehearsals, and trips. On these occasions adequate notice will be given, and it is expected that the Graduate Musician will be correspondingly flexible with their time. The Graduate Musician will be encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to accompany staff and pupils on trips to professional concerts, which normally take place in the evenings during term time.

• The Graduate Musician may from time to time be asked to take on additional tasks that are suitable to the role, and where possible, we encourage Graduates to participate in many of the ensembles according to their musical interests and expertise.

Safeguarding responsibilities

It is the post holder’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, and to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding Policy Statement at all times. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post holder 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 Head Master.

Merchant Taylors’ School is an equal opportunities employer and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This role will bring you into contact with children, you are expected to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

How we use your information

We will use the information which you provided, and which we collect from other sources (such as from references and from the Disclosure and Barring Service) for the following purposes: to assess your suitability for the role for which you have applied, to assess your suitability to work with children and to enable us to comply with our legal obligations (including safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children ). Further information on how the School uses personal data is set out in the School’s Staff Transparency Notice, which can be found on the Vacancy page of the School Website.