MD Vacancy | Port Isaac Chorale

Appointment of a Musical Director

Start date: August/September 2026

Following the retirement after over 30 years of Janet Townsend, MBE, our founding Musical Director, we are looking to recruit a dynamic and talented colleague to the position from August 2026.

This is an exciting opportunity for a new Musical Director to lead a friendly, inclusive and well-established community choir.

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Context

The Chorale is a friendly community choir, originating from the village of Port Isaac. The Chorale was started thirty-two years ago, by Janet, and today choir members come from the surrounding area to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere which epitomises our weekly rehearsals. We are a non-audition choir and have approximately fifty members. Whilst some members are themselves talented musicians and singers, others have no previous experience of reading music or singing in a choir.

The choir has grown in number over the last two years, and we are fortunate to have a good balance of voices across all four sections. Our musical repertoire is wide ranging: anything from madrigals to choral music, modern classics to songs from the musicals.

We currently perform in a small number of concerts per year as well as supporting the local churches at Christmas, including an Advent concert at St Peters (Port Isaac) and Nine Lessons and Carols at St Endellion. Each year we also compete in the Wadebridge Festival of Speech and Music. In 2025, we were delighted to have the opportunity to sing traditional Cornish carols in a Christmas Carol Service at Truro Cathedral. We were also invited to sing carols at the ‘Christmas at Eden’ Festive celebrations.

The choir rehearses every Tuesday evening during term time at St Endellion Village Hall, Port Isaac PL29 3TP.

What is important to us in the appointment of our new Musical Director

We continue to be an accessible choir
We continue to rehearse and sing our existing repertoire, alongside introducing new music from a range of musical traditions (including traditional and contemporary pieces)
We balance the desire to be the very best choir we can be, whilst fostering the sense of friendship and enjoyment we get from singing together and making music
We continue to sing locally, supporting local community activities, whilst being open to new opportunities
We ensure our concert repertoire is appealing to a cross-section of the community, including a wide age range
When we recruit new members, we are attractive to a wide age range.

Job Description

The principal duties of the Musical Director are:

To advise and assist the Committee in the management of the choir’s affairs as an ex officio member of the Committee, more specifically:
- Recommending the musical repertoire for the term/year to the committee for consideration and review.
- Suggesting new music for consideration
- Identifying suitable programmes for concerts
- Recommending suitable soloists and/or musicians for concerts
- Working alongside other choirs or music groups to facilitate shared activities, where appropriate.

Preparing for and leading weekly rehearsals in the agreed repertoire and in any other planned activities
Conducting the choir and other performers in concerts and performances
Liaising with the music librarian, choir pianist and treasurer to ensure the availability of resources and music in a timely fashion
Supporting the development of the choir’s website (particularly the recording and availability of rehearsal tracks to support choir members in learning their parts)
Ensuring the highest possible standards both at rehearsals and concerts, consistent with the choir’s musical and financial resources (whilst balanced with fostering the sense of friendship and enjoyment we get from singing together at rehearsals)
Nurturing and supporting the development of the choir, including playing an active role in pursuing any new opportunities that may arise.

Person Specification

An effective communicator, able to enthuse and motivate choir members
Experience of leading and conducting choirs or choral groups
A passion for and joy in music from a range of genres and periods
An inclusive approach which supports the development of the whole choir
An ability and willingness to engage with audiences at concerts (for example, introducing music)
A competent pianist or keyboard player (to be able to support the choir in the absence of the accompanist)
A good sense of fun
A collaborative team player
A willingness and ability to nurture the choir ethos
An ability to set high expectations and achieve good standards in both rehearsal and performances whilst retaining a light touch and a sense of humour/fun
An ability to contribute to creating balanced programmes which appeal to all members of the choir irrespective of their musical abilities and personal preferences
Willing to commit to the choir over an extended period of time
IT literate.

Terms and Conditions

The Musical Director will be appointed on a self-employed status
The fee for each rehearsal (1 ½ hours) will be negotiated for the right candidate. Fees will be inclusive of travel expenses.
Term time only (with the occasional half term rehearsal, by arrangement).
Rehearsal fees are paid monthly, in arrears.
Any other additional payments will be agreed at the appropriate time (e.g. for concerts).

The Appointment Process

Pre Application: If you would like an informal conversation before submitting an application, then please contact: PortIsaacChorale@gmail.com to arrange.

Applications: Applicants are invited to submit a CV and letter of application (no more than 2 sides of A4). Applications should be submitted by noon on Friday 20 February 2026 to Alan Sainsbury at: PortIsaacChorale@Outlook.com.

Short listing: Will take place on 23 February 2026.

Shortlisted candidates: Will be invited to interview between 18th and 27th March 2026 and if available can also see us perform at the Wadebridge Music and Speech Festival at the beginning of March.