Top London choir Goldsmiths Choral Union is offering a young musician the chance to shadow and study with their Music Director, Brian Wright. The new role is designed for a student conductor as a two-season Apprenticeship starting in September 2014. Most student choral conducting tuition concentrates on the ‘a cappella’ repertoire. This is a unique opportunity to study the large-scale ‘symphonic’ choral repertoire and techniques, including 30 individual lessons per season. At the end of the second season it is envisaged the appointee would conduct at a concert.
The deadline for applications is 9 May 2014.
Full details and the application procedure can be downloaded at
Position of Trainee Conductor
This new role is designed for a student conductor as a two season
Apprenticeship starting in September 2014. Most student choral
conducting tuition concentrates on the “a cappella” repertoire. This is
a unique opportunity to study the large-scale “symphonic” choral
repertoire and techniques with GCU’s renowned music staff.
The appointment will be decided by short list, interview and practical
competition, with choir members involved in the choice. The
appointee will shadow the Music Director Brian Wright and also receive
tuition from him of approximately 30 lessons per season before GCU’s
Wednesday evening rehearsals at Baden Powell House in South
Kensington.
From time to time the appointee will conduct part of a full rehearsal
as a supervised session. He/she will also have the opportunity to direct
supervised sectional rehearsals. If a pianist, GCU’s accompanist
Stephen Jones will mentor choir accompaniment skills. At the end of
the second season it is envisaged the appointee would conduct at a
GCU concert.
Goldsmiths Young Voices Project
In addition, GCU has an ambition to establish Goldsmiths Young Voices,
a SATB youth choir based in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
The new choir could have a regular slot in GCU’s Christmas carol
concerts and participate in any of GCU’s concerts that require young
voices, as well as developing its own repertoire from popular
arrangements, as on “The Choir”, to more classical fare. This project
is currently in the early ‘concept stage’, and the Trainee Conductor
would be closely involved in its development, helping bring the idea
into reality, as well as training and conducting the Young Voices.