UPPINGHAM SCHOOL. POST: Head of Singing (part-time)

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1 GENERAL INFORMATION UPPINGHAM SCHOOL POST: Head of Singing (part-time) Uppingham School, founded in 1584, is one of Britain s leading co-educational independent boarding schools. It is located in the small market town of Uppingham, amid the rolling fields of Rutland. Its 790 pupils, almost all boarders, are accommodated in fifteen boarding houses almost a mile apart. The pupils are taught by around 24 academic departments, and participate in numerous extra-curricular activities such as sports, music, drama, and expeditions. In term-time the School operates seven days a week. It has about 490 full-time and parttime employees. The academic year takes up about thirty-three weeks each year. Outside term time, and principally during the two summer months, the School turns itself into a commercial enterprise, putting its facilities to use for residential lettings, courses and events. Uppingham is considered to be one of the leading schools for music in the UK. It has always had a very distinguished reputation, being the first school to appoint a Director of Music in The School has an enviable instrumental programme with a Biennial Chamber Music Festival that alternates with a Keyboard Festival. There are three orchestras. The Symphony Orchestra has worked in the last two years with eminent conductors such as Dr David Hill and Peter Stark and has been on trips to hear the Vienna Philharmonic and the Philharmonia Orchestras in concert. The Chamber Orchestra has collaborated with players from the Royal Academy of Music. There is a strong relationship between Uppingham School and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. We have had visits and masterclasses from Catherine Yates (Deputy Head of Strings), Hannah Roberts (Professor of Cello), Lynne Dawson (Head of Vocal Studies) and Paul Goodey (Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion). Uppingham has a jazz band, a swing band and two concert bands, as well as many music societies and rock groups. The Symphony Orchestra gave three concerts in Paris in July Additionally there is an outstanding choral programme with seven choirs, including a Concert Choir of 350 pupils. The Chapel Choir performed in China and Hong Kong over Easter 2007, toured to Cologne and Brussels in July 2009 and will gave concerts in New York in The Chapel Choir have just returned from a successful tour of South East Asia. The Chamber Choir have performed in recent years at Trinity and Clare Colleges, Cambridge, St Peter s College, Oxford and at York Minster. In November 2014 they will be featured at the HMC Conference in Cardiff.

2 A busy programme of weekly recitals, House and ability-led concerts, and larger public performances in the UK and abroad offers pupils of all levels frequent opportunities to perform. There are over 600 instrumental lessons each week, taught by a team of around 50 professionals who specialise in everything from composition to bagpipes, in addition to all orchestral instruments, singing and guitar. Further details can be found here: The majority of the 50-strong instrumental team come from Manchester, Birmingham and London. The team includes specialist teachers of Alexander Technique, Jazz Piano and Music Technology. Their work is supported by an ongoing series of masterclasses. Recent events include; Stephen Hough and Pascal Rogé (Piano), Andrew Kennedy, Jenevora Williams and Lynne Dawson (Voice), Ben Zander (Conducting/Performance skills), Stephen Cleobury (Organ), Joanne McGregor (Piano), Nicholas Daniel (Oboe), Crispian Steele-Perkins (Trumpet), David Owen Norris (Piano), John Turville Trio (Jazz Trios). There are regular visits from Hannah Roberts (Cello) and in the past year international soloist, Jack Liebeck has given violin master classes. The Faculty Heads of Wind, Strings and Keyboard will collaborate in a performance of Quartet for the End of Time in November The concerts series brings top-flight performers to school. Recent concerts have included orchestral performances by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the European Union Chamber Orchestra, vocal ensembles The Tallis Scholars, BBC Singers and The Sixteen, and soloists including Nicola Benedetti, Stephen Hough and Pascal Rogé. Three buildings form the Music School, offering excellent recording, recital, teaching and practice facilities. 60 practice rooms, numerous grand pianos, 3 organs (including a new Chapel Organ) facilitate a wide range of activities and increasing excellence in performing standards. The school also makes a significant investment in music through generous Scholarships. There are currently 70 Music Scholars and Exhibitioners who act as role models for the great number of pupils who play musical instruments or sing. ACADEMIC MUSIC The department has had excellent academic successes. Last summer 100% of candidates gained A-B grades at A Level; 100% gained A-B grades at AS Level and 95% gained A*-A grades at GCSE. The school has recently been very successful at Oxbridge Organ and Choral trials and has produced six major organ scholars and numerous choral scholars in the last few years. Our distinguished results also extend recently to Conservatoire scholarships. In Years pupils take the full-course GCSE using EdExcel s revised syllabus. In the Sixth Form, we follow the EdExcel A-level course and also offer EdExcel A-level Music Technology.

3 THE SINGING DEPARTMENT The Singing Department has been ably led by Oliver Neal Parker. In January 2015 he takes up the role of Director of Music at Kingswood School, Bath. Singing is of intrinsic importance at Uppingham; high standards are expected along with a broad, comprehensive approach to participation. Pupils are proud of their massed singing in Chapel, be it a wet Monday morning s hymn or arrangements of major works (Zadok the Priest, Britten - Jubilate, Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) for the whole school. Each of the fifteen boarding Houses holds a House Concert which invariably has good quality solo and ensemble singing. The annual House Singing Competition is a highlight of the year. The school has recently been very successful at Oxbridge Choral trials and has produced numerous choral scholars in the last few years. Our distinguished results also extend to Conservatoires where, of late, a number of students have been awarded scholarships. Alumni include Robin Blaze, Elizabeth Atherton, Andrew Kennedy, Timothy Robinson, Toby Spence, Chris Gabbitas, James Laing and Tom Guthrie. The music programme responds to a diverse range of musical interests; singers are encouraged to join bands, close-harmony groups, to take part in school musicals and the Battle of the Bands competition, and to sing as soloists with the Swing Band. This is a flourishing faculty made up of seven teachers. They bring vast experience and a wide range of teaching styles and skills. Currently they are; Andrew Ashwin, Catharine Griffiths, Julie Moffat, Yvonne Sandison, Tom Williams, Vanessa Williamson and Oliver Neal Parker. Simon Smith (Accompanist in Residence) is available to assist teachers. The Faculty has strong relationship with Marcus Farnsworth and Lynne Dawson who both provide additional coaching. Around 120 pupils take singing lessons. Those pupils also take part in choirs and bands, graded examinations, internal and external performances, masterclasses, competitions and recitals. Several pupils belong to the National Youth Choir of Great Britain. SPECIFIC INFORMATION This is a rare opportunity to shape a whole school community that has a strong, shared belief in the value of singing. We are seeking a Head of Singing who will inspire and encourage the next generation of Uppinghamians to excel at, and to love, singing. With a very high level of diagnostic, musical and communication skills, the ideal candidate will have an outstanding track record in one-to-one teaching. We seek an experienced singing teacher to lead a strong and experienced team through a collaborative, innovative and inspiring approach. In general, there are three key phases in managing our year old solo singers; making the transition from Prep School (including voice change), developing the adolescent voice and mind, and preparing students for Conservatoire, University, Choral Scholarships and

4 Drama School. Some pupils arrive as leading choral soloists from the major choir schools, whilst others may have their first singing lesson at Uppingham. All are expected to perform from memory. The Head of Singing will take a lead role in many school singing activities and will play an important role in running the choral programme and choirs. Musicianship skills and sightsinging training is integrated into choral and solo singing sessions. Strong organisational skills will be an important asset in the day-to-day running of the faculty. A track record in working with boys changing voices will be an asset. Uppingham is a fully boarding school with few day pupils. Embracing and assimilating the ethos of a busy seven-day-a-week boarding school will be vital. The post of Head of Singing is an important and comprehensive role. The successful candidate is expected to be in school for five out of the weekly cycle of seven days lessons and events. Rehearsals and concerts may take place from early on a Monday morning to late on a Sunday evening. Saturdays would generally be free. There are currently no additional duties with this post, i.e. tutoring, CCF, CS or Games. A regular weekly pattern could be established with some variation depending on the termly diary. The successful candidate will be expected to take up his/her position from January This is an opportunity to work in a successful and busy department, with scope to become involved in a wide range of musical activities. Informal enquiries about the post may be made to the Director of Music, Stephen Williams, sjw@uppingham.co.uk JOB DESCRIPTION : Head of Singing Line Manager: Director of Music Responsibilities: Pupils Promoting and overseeing all singing; monitoring and assessing the development of pupils of all abilities Promoting and cultivating a culture of methodical regular practice, excellence in performance and a long-term vision for singing Assessing new pupils and allocating them to teachers and ensembles Preparing pupils for Conservatoire, University and NYC auditions Preparing pupils for Oxbridge Choral Scholarship auditions, liaising with the Head of Academic Music regarding applications Being part of the panel assessing Music Scholarship auditions, re-auditions and Collections Supporting pupils by regular attendance at concerts

5 Being available to pupils for additional coaching, ABRSM exam preparation and rehearsals Initiating and organise all singing workshops, liaising with the Director of Music (DoM) Collaborating with House Staff in pastoral matters concerning singers Encouraging participation by all pupils in school performances Dealing with pupil absences in the Singing Faculty Seeking opportunities for participation in external events and competitions Co-ordinating the annual Inter-House Singing Competition Teaching Teaching individual instrumental lessons as directed by DoM Assisting academic music staff in preparing candidates for the performance element of A Level and GCSE music Writing reports and reviews in line with school policies Staff Undertaking lesson observation and appraisal as part of a collaborative approach Monitoring and supporting all singing teaching, encouraging good practice Acting as line manager to the singing staff Advising the DoM in making appointments Encouraging Professional Development Parents To be available to the parents of all singing pupils, managing their concerns with reference to instrumental lessons Choral Music and Ensembles Assisting the DoM in overseeing and managing a developmental programme of choral music, ensuring that all pupils - particularly Music Scholars - have the opportunity to participate, perform and be challenged To encourage, conduct, administer and develop a choir, or choirs Singing for school concerts as required Undertaking sectional rehearsals as required Management and Administration Contributing to the planning and decision-making at Departmental meetings and to ensure that decisions are made in good time Dealing efficiently with , Outlook Calendar, Word documents and Excel Keeping and maintain lists of choirs To manage Singing Faculty paperwork Overseeing the maintenance of the Vocal Music Library in conjunction with the Music Librarian Collaborating efficiently and actively with other members of the Music Department in planning concerts, workshops and festivals Co-ordinating with the DoM in relation to Masterclasses

6 Professional Development To continue your own education in your singing teaching so as to remain abreast of developments Departmental Music Department duties as agreed with the DoM. e.g. Sight-singing/Aural/ Theory classes. Attend weekly Departmental meetings Attend weekly meetings with DoM PERSON SPECIFICATION The selection of candidates for short-listing will be based on this specification and candidates should bear this in mind when preparing their application and completing the application form. ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS Singing teaching at a high level SKILLS & EXPERIENCE Deep knowledge of a variety of teaching techniques Experience in teaching a range of ages and abilities. Proven success in preparing students for auditions and exams at all levels. Ability to integrate musicianship skills into lessons Knowledge of a broad and wide repertoire Able to utilise Microsoft Office computer packages within the work environment Post-graduate qualification in singing Good keyboard skills Kodaly training Experience of teaching with boys with changing voices Experience in leading masterclasses, workshops and/or leading choral groups PERSONAL QUALITIES Collaborative and empathetic approach Inspirational and motivational teaching style Excellent communication skills, both oral and written Adventurous spirit Sense of humour An innovative, selfstarter who enjoys being part of a team.

7 Safeguarding and Child Protection The post-holder's responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School's Child Protection Policy Statement at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the postholder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School s/he must report any concerns to the School's child protection officer or to the Headmaster. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Salary: Appropriate to experience Hours: Five days per week, with evening and weekend work. See above for further details. Holidays: Holidays will be all School holidays. Public and Bank Holidays during term time may be working days. APPLICATIONS Applications must be made on the School s application form, which can be obtained via the School website. Completed applications must reach us by the closing date below and should be returned to: HR Department Uppingham School High Street West Fax: (01572) Uppingham Rutland LE15 9QD hr@uppingham.co.uk The closing date for applications is 9:00 am on Friday September 19. Interviews will be held on Friday October 3. Candidates will be expected to perform two contrasting songs (of no more than 10 minutes in length) at interview.