Musical Director Vacancy: Cheltenham Silver Academy Band (part of Cheltenham Silver Bands)

About Us

Cheltenham Silver Bands are a traditional brass band family, based in the heart of Cheltenham. We are a thriving, family-friendly, group of bands with the community at our heart. We believe that everybody should have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument and take part in group music-making. To achieve this goal, we aim to offer any person, whatever their age, gender, background or ability the opportunity to learn to read music and play a brass or percussion instrument, to grow in confidence and develop their skills within a fun and safe brass band setting. At a time when the availability of affordable music education is increasingly limited, we provide free instrument loan and group tuition, supported by our more experienced members.

Cheltenham Silver Bands are run as a single organisation. We run four bands at different levels, sharing members as appropriate, to cater for musicians of all abilities:

• The Silver Band is a Third Section competitive band. We perform regularly throughout the year at a variety of engagements ranging from ‘Bands in the Park’ concerts in the local area to Cheltenham Remembrance Service, the largest commemorative event in Gloucestershire.

• New for 2025: The Academy Band is a Fourth Section competitive band, which was originally created by our Training Band MD to give more of our members the opportunity to compete at the Areas in 2020. As our bands have continued to grow, we have decided to add the Academy Band as a permanent part of our family, and the Academy Band has gone on to perform concerts with the Silver Band and in its own right during the summer of 2025.

• The Training Band is a fun and informal group, which is aimed at improving players. To give players the experience of performing, the Training Band performs at informal events such as school fetes, as well as at joint concerts with our other bands.

• The Learner Band is for anyone who would like to learn to play a brass instrument and caters for absolute beginners.

All of our members are encouraged to work together to support the development of brass band music in the Cheltenham area.

We pride ourselves on our strong sense of community. Over the past few years we have been increasing our outreach in the Cheltenham area. For example, in 2024 we joined with the Holst Victorian House Museum (a museum located in the house in which Gustav Holst was born) to run a series of percussion workshops for underprivileged children; and in December we visited several residential care homes to bring some Christmas cheer to the residents. We have also invited local schools, choirs and theatre groups to take part in our concerts to showcase their abilities.

The Role

Following the relocation of our current conductor, we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead the Academy Band, and to support the continued improvement of the band and our members. Our members have a wide range of age, ability and experience, and you will need to be able to work with them all to create an enjoyable, but challenging environment in which they can thrive.

The Academy Band has been established to fill a gap between the Training Band and the Silver Band, so that players can progress between bands as appropriate. It also allows us to support members with different time commitments. You will need to work with the MDs of our other bands, and our committee, to help our collective band family be the best it can. We aim for a culture of continuous improvement, but without pushing anyone beyond what they are comfortable with.

It is important that you have a strong musical knowledge, and that you can share it with our members. Widespread experience of conducting is not essential provided you are prepared to learn – we will support your development as part of our family.

Rehearsals and Concerts

The Academy Band rehearses on Thursday evenings between 19:00 and 21:00. Additional rehearsals may be added as appropriate for specific events. Rehearsals do not run during August.

We do not have a dedicated bandroom, and currently rehearse in the Church Hall at St. Barnabas Church, Orchard Way, Cheltenham. All our music, percussion and stands are stored on site. We have a reasonably well stocked music library and have (limited) budget for new music.

The Academy Band can expect to perform at various engagements through the year and take part in the Areas Contest in Torquay. Exact numbers of engagements will be agreed by the committee, with the support of the MD.

Other Information

The role will start as soon as possible in the autumn, following a successful audition and interview with members of the band. The Academy Band does not rehearse during August, but we are running social rehearsals every Friday during August between 19:00 and 21:00 and you are welcome to come along and meet and chat with some of the band. Academy Band rehearsals will restart on Thursday 11 September.

A successful DBS check will be required, and you may be expected to complete Brass Bands England Safeguarding Training. You will be expected to uphold the principles of Cheltenham Silver Bands at all times.

You will be an honorary member of the joint Cheltenham Silver Bands Committee.

You may sometimes be asked to provide cover for one of the other Bands when the regular MD is unavailable, but this is not mandatory.

Applications

The closing date for applications is Friday 26 September. If you would like to attend a rehearsal before applying, and are unable to do that before the closing date, please contact us – we will be as flexible as we can.

 Applications should be submitted via email to our Chair, Adrian Pawley (chair@cheltenhamsilverband.co.uk). Applications should summarise your experience, what you would bring to our band family, and any other information you think would be relevant.

If you would like to discuss anything, please contact Adrian at the above address.