Dorchester Choral Society is seeking to appoint a new Music Director, to start in the summer of 2025 in succession to Colin Howard, who will be standing down after 10 very successful years in the role.

We are an auditioned choir of 70-80 singers, who enjoy tackling a wide range of classical choral music. Indeed, the choir has built up a strong reputation for inventive programming and high-quality performance, which makes its strap line "A top class choir in the heart of Dorset" more than an idle boast! We are keen to maintain our high standards and to improve still further our technique and musicianship. We are also a friendly and sociable group - being able to enjoy our music making, and each other's company, is important to us.

The Society rehearses in the centre of Dorchester on Monday evenings in term time from 7.30pm-9.30pm. We employ an outstanding professional accompanist at rehearsals and put on 2 or 3 major concerts each year, normally with professional soloists and players. More widely, we support the local community through a range of activities and events across each season. We also have links with choirs in Bayeux (L'Orphéon de Bayeux) and Lübbecke (Kantorei St. Andreas), with whom we organise regular exchange visits and concerts.

This is a remunerated position, with a fee rate competitive with other comparable posts, and depending on experience. Further details are available on the DCS web site, including a Choir Profile, a list of the works performed over the past 10 years, our normal expectations of the role, and a draft contract.

We ask for expressions of interest in this position by 11th March 2024: please send a CV with details of 2 referees to dorchesterchoral@gmail.com, along with a covering letter outlining your recent experience, vision for the choir, and suggestions of possible repertoire for the 2025/2026 season. Selected candidates will be asked to lead one of our regular rehearsals in early summer 2024, followed by a short interview. We hope to make an appointment before the end of the summer term.

Any further enquiries can be directed towards Kevin Rogers (DCS committee member) using the dorchesterchoral@gmail.com email address.