UPPINGHAM SCHOOL. Visiting Piano Teacher (Part-time Maternity cover)

Transcription

1 UPPINGHAM SCHOOL Visiting Piano Teacher (Part-time Maternity cover) GENERAL INFORMATION 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 part-time 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 Symphony Orchestra has worked with such eminent conductors 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 and two concert bands, as well as many music societies and rock groups. Additionally there is an outstanding choral programme with five choirs, including a Concert Choir of 350 pupils. 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. 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, Pascal Rogé and Angela Hewitt (Piano), Andrew Kennedy, Jenevora Williams and Lynne Dawson (Voice), Ben Zander (Conducting/Performance skills), Stephen Cleobury (Organ), Joanne

2 McGregor (Piano), Nicholas Daniel (Oboe), Crispian Steele-Perkins (Trumpet), David Owen Norris (Piano), John Turville Trio (Jazz Trios). There are regular visits from renowned artists such as Hannah Roberts (Cello) and Jack Liebeck (Violin). This year, the Upper Sixth Recital Competition was adjudicated by Stephen Threlfall, Director of Music at Chetham s School of Music. The Uppingham Music concerts series also 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. THE KEYBOARD DEPARTMENT The keyboard department, led by Alexis Ffrench, is a flourishing and thriving faculty, with a reputation for excellence. With nearly 200 pianists and organists and a faculty of eleven leading professionals, students follow a busy programme of graded and diploma examinations, internal and external performance opportunities, masterclasses, competitions and chamber music. The centrepiece of the faculty calendar is the Keyboard Festival. A biennial event, it provides a high profile public platform for all Keyboard students, whatever their playing level. The 2014 Keyboard Festival was themed Music and Dance inspired by the 100 th anniversary of Ballet Russes and the influence of Diaghilev on so many great composers, choreographers and artists of the day and subsequent generations. It featured nearly two hundred instrumentalists in a performance of Handsprings a fresh, dynamic re-imagining of Stravinsky s Rite of Spring realised for multiple keyboards by award-winning composer, pianist and producer Kate Whitley and conducted by Christopher Stark. The piece was performed in collaboration with dancers from Ballet Rambert s youth dance company, Quicksilver, accompanied by specially commissioned video imagery. The 2014 Festival also featured acclaimed pianist, Leon McCawley, in recital and in masterclasses - following the distinguished footsteps of artists such Stephen Hough, Joanna MacGregor, Dimitri

3 Alexeev, Nikolai Demidenko, Pascal Rogé, Wayne Marshall, Artur Pizarro and Cristina Ortiz all of whom have been Keyboard Festival Resident Artists. In 2016, the Music and Dance theme continued in an exciting collaboration with David Gordon and his Alexander Scriabin Ragtime Band, Central School of Ballet and Uppingham pianists. Student successes have included high profile performances of Grieg s Piano Concerto at Snape Maltings, Rachmaninoff s Third Piano Concerto at Peterborough Cathedral, Là ci darem la mano Variations by Chopin, Rachmaninoff s Variations on a Theme of Paganini, Gershwin s Concerto in F and Mozart s Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K.466 with the Hong Kong Philharmonic. There have also been some notable achievements in competitive events such as BBC Young Musician of the Year, including a runner-up place in the Keyboard finals. The faculty offers dynamic and creatively stimulating programmes for pianists and organists at every stage of their development; with an inclusive philosophy of Music for All, whilst providing rigorous programmes of study for the most gifted. SPECIFIC INFORMATION We are seeking a part-time piano teacher as maternity cover for up to one-and-a-half days a week, teaching students of a variety of abilities up to higher intermediate. The successful candidate will be expected to take up his/her position from the summer term 2018 and must be an experienced and skilled teacher of Advanced level pianists, and a performer with excellent organisational and communication skills. 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 Head of Keyboard, Alexis Ffrench on or af@uppingham.co.uk. JOB DESCRIPTION: Visiting Piano Teacher (Part-time Maternity cover) Line Manager: Head of Keyboard Responsibilities include: Teaching; Teaching Intermediate to Advanced (post-diploma level) pianists. Timetabling Producing a weekly timetable and distributing to students, Head of Keyboard and the Music School Co-ordinator. Concert preparation Preparing all students for participation in events such as workshops, masterclasses, Faculty concerts, Lunchtime Concerts, Instrumental Platforms, Play and Listen Concerts and Composers Concerts. Examinations Preparing students for graded examinations, GCSE and A Level performances.

4 General Liaising with the Head of Keyboard regarding student progress. Report and Review writing Providing written assessments/progress reports on each student in line with whole school policies. Assessments Preparing Music Scholars for internal assessments. Workshops/Master classes Occasionally leading masterclasses and workshops, as requested by the Director of Music and Head of Keyboard. 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 SKILLS & EXPERIENCE PERSONAL QUALITIES Experience in teaching a range of ages and abilities but particularly intermediate to Advanced level students. Proven success in preparing students for ABRSM piano exams at all levels. Knowledge of a variety of teaching techniques Able to utilise Microsoft Office computer packages within the work environment Inspirational and motivational teaching style Excellent communication skills, both oral and written Sense of humour Post-graduate qualification in piano performance or a related field. Experience in leading masterclasses, workshops and/or coaching chamber music. Experience in teaching a variety of styles. An innovative, self-starter who enjoys being part of a team.

5 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 post-holder 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 Visiting Music Teachers are employees of the School and as such benefit from the opportunity to join the Teachers Pension Scheme, and are entitled to holiday and sick pay. Teachers who live more then 20 miles from Uppingham are paid a travel allowance and if an overnight stay is necessary an accommodation allowance is payable. Salary The hourly rate is currently (salaries are reviewed annually on 1 st September). Hours The part-time Visiting Music Teacher is expected to teach 30 (40 minute) lessons per pupil per academic year. 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 Please note: Candidates will be expected to perform two contrasting pieces at interview (no longer than 10 minutes) in addition to teaching a student.