Seeking New Music Director
- Ross Henderson
- Jul 16
- 4 min read
Aberdeenshire Saxophone Orchestra
We have a vacancy for an inspirational Musical Director from early 2026. Closing date 17th October 2025
Applications are invited from anyone willing to travel to Aberdeen/Inverurie for our ‘all day’ rehearsals which are held on one Sunday per month
Aberdeenshire Saxophone Orchestra (SCIO) is an amateur orchestra (registered charity number SC049599), based in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire where we rehearse once a month throughout the year.
We attract players from Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen city, and more widely from the surrounding shires. Our players range in skill level from grade 3 through university music students to professional players and tutors. Several of our junior members have progressed on to conservatoires and university music courses. Membership of the orchestra is circa 35 players and growing.
The orchestra, founded in 2019, performs 2-3 concerts a year, together with a few smaller events, in various locations in Aberdeenshire. Our repertoire is as inclusive as we can make it across many genres and historical periods including newly commissioned works. We were shortlisted for the Royal Philharmonic Society Inspiration award in 2021.
The Musical Director will be responsible for the programming, preparation and performance of the orchestra’s concerts in conjunction with the orchestra’s committee (the Board). They will support the musical development of members by creating a safe and enjoyable space for members to develop their skills. They will also be expected to adapt orchestral, wind band and other scores to suit a saxophone-only orchestra and be able to create simpler parts for less experienced players.
It is expected that applicants will be saxophone players with experience in conducting and working with amateur musicians, although experienced wind players and conductors will also be considered.
Full job description follows:
Aberdeenshire Saxophone Orchestra Musical Director
Job description
. Key Duties
Lead the monthly orchestral rehearsals in Inverurie on one Sunday per month throughout the year. These are held between 10am and 4 pm. Timings could be varied if necessitated by travel constraints.
Rehearse and conduct the season of formal concerts. Typically, this will consist of one main formal concert (which may be repeated on a consecutive day) and one concert held in collaboration with another group or groups.
Create simpler parts for less experienced players.
Prepare adaptations of orchestral, wind band and other scores where this is straightforward. Note that more complex arrangements would attract a separate fee as agreed with the Board.
Provide advice and help prepare the orchestra for smaller charity events as may arise throughout the year. These may be conducted by the Musical Director or other conductors depending on the circumstances.
Consider members’ suggestions for repertoire and discuss these with the Board.
Propose concert programmes and repertoire for both formal concerts and other events in consultation with the Board.
Assist with concert and rehearsal planning as required.
Attend Board meetings when requested to do so, to provide advice.
Provide advice/input to musical collaborations with other groups which may be proposed.
Advise players who wish to try playing other parts or other sizes of saxophone.
Support the musical development of members by creating a safe and enjoyable space for members to develop their skills.
Provide to the Board, as requested, any details required for producing programmes and publicity material.
Make recommendations to the Board for the engagement of soloists and other extra performers if needed for concerts.
Present a report to the orchestra’s AGM.
Other Opportunities
Aberdeenshire Saxophone Orchestra offers members the opportunity to attend workshops on various aspects of technique and musicality, outside of the rehearsal day. The Musical Director is encouraged to suggest topics and run some of these workshops, as agreed with the Board. This would attract a separate fee from the Musical Director’s fee.
From time to time and as funds become available, Aberdeenshire Saxophone Orchestra commissions new works and new arrangements. The Musical Director is encouraged to suggest suitable pieces and tender for the work if appropriate.
Fees
Fees are negotiable but based on the Making Music organisation’s agreement with the Musician’s Union for amateur music groups.
An hourly rate of £44 for the rehearsal/concert day which also covers the necessary music preparation/adaptations.
Fees for other work would be by negotiation with the Board.
Mileage, if appropriate, will be paid at £0.45 per mile.
If other forms of transport than driving are used, reasonable travel expenses would be payable. Over-night stays would be funded if appropriate.
Fees are normally paid after each rehearsal or concert day.
The successful applicant will be responsible for submitting invoices and paying their own National Insurance contributions and income tax.
Application process:
Please send your CV, references if available, and a covering letter explaining your interest in the role and what skills and ideas you would bring to the position
The closing date for applications is 17th October 2025.
If you wish to have an informal discussion about the post and/or the orchestra by phone or by zoom please contact Shelly at info@aberdeenshiresaxorchestra.co.uk
Shortlisted applicants will have an interview and a trial session conducting the Orchestra at one of our monthly rehearsals. 14th December 2025 will be the first one of these.
Aberdeenshire Saxophone Orchestra is committed to equality of opportunities in relation to the nine protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act 2010.
Comments