The Micklegate Singers is seeking to appoint a new Musical Director from January 2026. We have had the pleasure of a long and fruitful relationship with our outgoing Musical Director, Nicholas Carter, who is retiring on reaching his 25th anniversary with the choir.

Comprising around 36 members across a broad age range, with generally good sight reading ability, we perform in York three or four times a year with rehearsals on Thursday evenings during school terms. Please have a look round our website for more information about the choir.

We are accustomed to singing an interesting and ambitious repertoire of mostly sixteenth-century and 20th/21st-century choral music, usually unaccompanied, including works that we have commissioned ourselves from new composers. Our recent repertoire is listed on our Previous Concerts page. We are excited to see where our new MD may take us in the future. 

We encourage applications from enthusiastic musicians of all backgrounds, with experience of directing adult choirs.

As an initial step before advertising, we asked choir members for their feedback on what they enjoy about being in the Micklegate Singers, and what qualities they value in an MD. The following specifications include a number of themes that came through within this process.

Our ideal candidate has:

• a high standard of musicianship, with an excellent ear for blend and tuning;

• a singing background themselves, and the ability to teach or encourage good vocal production technique;

• a wide knowledge of appropriate repertoire, and the ability to judge and adapt the level of challenge across programmes;

• energy, enthusiasm and good interpersonal skills to run effective, enjoyable rehearsals and bring out the best in our singers;

• some experience in directing adult choirs.

The new Musical Director will:

• plan concert programmes, with support and oversight from the committee;

• direct public concerts, usually three per year, maintaining high performance standards;

• lead engaging, productive weekly rehearsals on Thursday evenings and promote good vocal technique;

• audition new members as required, and re-audition existing members at agreed intervals;

• contribute to efforts to broaden our appeal to both audiences and potential singers;

• have the option of directing our charity Christmas carol concert.

The Micklegate Singers is offering:

• a stable, friendly choir of experienced singers with a reasonable level of sight reading;

• an appetite for interesting and varied repertoire that offers a rewarding level of challenge;

• an effective and supportive committee who take an interest in programming as well as the practical side; 

• an open-minded attitude to new opportunities and ideas;

• a 3-year, renewable contract, with a mutual review at the end of the first year;

• remuneration on a self-employed contract basis, in line with expected rates, dependent on qualifications and experience.

Please apply by email to choir.secretary@micklegatesingers.org.uk, including the following:

• CV and covering letter outlining your experience and what you would bring to the Micklegate Singers as our new Musical Director;

• Contact details for two relevant referees;

• A suggested concert programme for the spring term.

If you have any questions, or to arrange an informal conversation, please contact our Chair, Sarah Sketchley, on choir.chair@micklegatesingers.org.uk who will be very happy to help.

Closing date: Friday 18th July 2025

We expect to hold interviews and auditions on 25th September and/or 2nd October 2025.