Vacancy - Musical Director

Musical Director - to start January 2027

Buckland & Betchworth Choral Society (BBCS) is a thriving mixed ability, community choir of around 50 members (SATB). The two villages of Buckland and Betchworth adjoin each other and are situated some three miles east of Dorking, Surrey. Since the choir was founded, over 100 years ago, its main focus has been participation in the Leith Hill Musical Festival www.lhmf.co.uk, that was inspired by Vaughan Williams.

The Festival is partly a choral competition; part of the Musical Director’s duties is to prepare the choir to take part in the competition classes.

However, as the choir has grown, in addition to preparing for the Festival, we typically perform three of our own concerts each year, a Summer, Autumn and Christmas Concert. The latter is usually in aid of a local charity. Details of recent performances can be found here. The Festival will remain central to the choir’s existence as it is wedded to the ethos of encouraging singers of all abilities to make music together and compete in friendly rivalry.

The morale of the choir is currently very high, as evidenced by good attendance both at rehearsals and at our social events.

We have a very active Committee and the choir has charitable status. For more information about the choir and our activities do explore this website.

Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings 7.45pm – 9.45 pm in the Betchworth Village War Memorial Hall.

We are looking to appoint a Conductor and Musical Director for the start of January 2027 who shares our enthusiasm and would like to take up the particular challenge that being head of a Leith Hill choir presents.

The conductor must have:

·      Music qualification e.g. a graduate of one of the Music Colleges preferred

·      Specialism in conducting or choral direction

·      Experience in singing and choral training

·      Experience in booking and working with professional instrumentalists and singers

·      Knowledge of a wide variety of classical music, both modern & traditional

·      An engaging personality able to engender the enthusiasm of members

·      Competitive nature but able to hand the choir over to the Festival Conductor for part of the Festival performance.

·      Good motivational skills, enabling the choir to grow in competence and ability.

CVs to: Julie Hardy, BBCS Chairman. Email [email protected].

Closing date for applications: 30 September 2026