Artistic Planning Director - National Children's Orchestras of Great Britain (part-time)
Reporting to the Chief Executive, and as part of NCO’s collaborative Senior Management Team, this new and exciting role will be responsible for leading the curation of NCO’s annual artistic programme across all areas of activity.
Job Description
The role requires providing oversight and leadership for NCO’s creative freelance workforce including conductors, guest artists, composers, wellbeing and creative leads and will oversee the pool of c. 90 freelance music tutors.
The Artistic Planning Director will work closely with NCO’s Music Librarian to ensure that all music, including commissions and arrangements, is thoroughly prepared and will give due consideration to specific instrumentation requirements ahead of activity.
More info in job pack
Job Requirements
– A highly skilled and experienced musician, with substantial professional experience within orchestral performance and/or music education (typically gained over five years or more).
– Deep and wide-ranging knowledge of orchestral repertoire, alongside a strong understanding of and affinity with NCO’s artistic vision, values, and programming principles.
– A proven track record of co-curating ambitious, high-quality and diverse artistic programmes, balancing multiple perspectives and priorities to create exceptional musical experiences for young musicians, audiences, and communities.
– Demonstrable experience of working with composers and arrangers, including the commissioning and development of new work.
– Strong professional networks within the UK music sector, with the ability to identify, engage, and work collaboratively with conductors, guest artists, and specialist practitioners.
Approx. 15 hours/week, although this may vary between peak and quieter times.
More info in job pack.
Job Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
– Lead on the curation of NCO’s annual artistic programme, to be approved by the CEO, in line with the organisation’s purpose, strategic priorities and values for all activities, namely Orchestral Weeks, Orchestral Weekends, Orchestral Days, Partnership workshops, Schools’ Concerts, digital projects and any other engagement initiatives.
– Collaborate with members of NCO’s Senior Management Team in the development of artistic programmes to ensure they support its strategic priorities particularly in terms of musical aspiration, access and progression, diversity and inclusion, community engagement and audience development.
– Select conductors and guest artists, working closely with them to develop repertoire choices and creative plans for relevant activities.
– Engage and support NCO’s Creative Leads in the successful delivery of Surround Sound at Orchestral Weeks, agreeing content, brief, training and delivery plan.
How to Apply
Apply online using the job pack at https://nco.org.uk/about-us/join-our-team/
- Contact name: Sophie Lewis
- Contact email: s.lewis@nco.org.uk
About National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain
At NCO children aged 8-14 uncover the joy of orchestral music, unleash their creativity and realise their ambitions.
More than 2000 children aged 8-14, from around the UK, connect with National Children’s Orchestras each year. They take part in:
auditioned Orchestral Weeks and Weekends, non-auditioned workshops including Orchestral Days and tailored projects, Schools Concerts and special projects with music education hubs and free tickets to concerts.
Play together. Be unstoppable.