Seeking to appoint a new Choral Director from September 2026

Hope Metropolitan Concerts comprises two performing groups, the Singers and the Orchestra, each with their own musical director(s). We are looking for a new director to work with the Trustees in developing and delivering choral repertoire over the future of the society’s annual season of about 6 concerts, starting September 2026.

The society is currently based at Liverpool’s Hope University Creative Campus on Shaw St, L6 1HP but was formed over 50 years ago under the name of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Concerts Society. Find out more at hmconcerts.uk/about.

Repertoire

The Singers are typically involved in a wide-ranging repertoire covering works from the 14^th century to the present day, including first performances, often commissioned by the society from local composers but which have included works by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and first regional performances of works by Sir Karl Jenkins and others. The majority of concerts are usually with orchestra though the Singers will also give choral-only concerts perhaps once a year. Recent works with orchestra include Haydn The Seasons, Mozart Requiem, Mendelssohn Hear My Prayer, and Brahms Song of Destiny. Unaccompanied pieces include Bruckner Motets, pieces by Rameau, Sullivan, Elgar, Grainger, Bartôk and Kodály plus folksong settings from Europe and South Africa. In May 2026 the Singers gave the first performance of a new cantata, The Pied Piper by Mike Stubbs. Repertoire is planned up to 6 months before each season begins by the Committee of Trustees. Concerts for the year of 2027 have already been planned around the theme of Beethoven 200.

Personal qualities we are looking for

The ideal candidate would demonstrate:

• Technical ability and clarity of intention;
• Good vocal technique and the ability to coach others;
• The ability to train, develop and inspire non-professional singers;
• The ability to work with a range of people in different capacities e.g. Trustees, professional soloists, orchestral players, singers of different ages and abilities; other conductors;
• Repertoire knowledge and interest in a variety of styles and periods plus curiosity;
• Enthusiasm;
• Flexibility;
• Commitment to the organisation and to weekly rehearsals, typically throughout the school term (current rehearsal schedule is 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. on Thursday evenings in Liverpool city centre);
• Knowledge of and interest in networking with other local groups with a view to collaboration and recruitment of new singers.

Duties

• Guide choir members in developing their vocal range, control, and expression;
• Instruct choir members in music theory concepts, such as notation and key signatures as needed;
• Develop their sight-reading abilities to enhance their musical independence;
• Explore harmonies, intervals, and other musical elements within the repertoire;
• Lead and coach the Singers during weekly rehearsals to achieve performance standards of the agreed repertoire by the scheduled concert date;
• Work with the Trustees by attending and contributing to 1 or 2 planning meetings each year;
• If interested, join other regular Trustee meetings concerned with concert organisation and strategic matters;
• Work with the social media/marketing team to enhance publicity for scheduled events and to develop and work towards events designed to enhance membership recruitment.

Support

• An accompanist will be provided if wanted.
• Payment will be £80 per 2-hour rehearsal and pro-rata on performance days where usually the director will be required for an afternoon rehearsal as well as conducting the ensemble for unaccompanied works during performance. It will usually be the role of the orchestral director to conduct joint works.

Application

Applicants should indicate their interest and suitability by letter/audio/video file to:

hmc@caldymedia.com using the Heading Choral Director application 2026

Or by post to
Hope Metropolitan Concerts Choir Manager
Flat 2, 4 Gambier Terrace,
Liverpool
L1 7BG

The application should show any relevant experience and give evidence of the personal qualities we are looking for and how the applicant would use them in this post.

Applications to be received by 31^st May. They will be acknowledged by June 5 and selected applicants will be invited to attend WhatsApp video interviews during the following week.

The short list will be made known by June 14^th.

Shortlisted candidates will be supplied with a piece of choral music to prepare and should additionally select a short piece of their own choice. Details of the latter to be supplied to the selection panel by email as above. They will be invited to deliver a 30-35 minute session during the choir’s rehearsal on June 25^th at Liverpool Hope University’s creative campus on Shaw St. During this session they should make a start on teaching their prepared pieces to the choir.

The selection panel will consist of:

The Chairman of HMC, John Moseley; Two choir representatives; One orchestral representative; One other Trustee; One external musician.

The choir will be asked for their feedback following the rehearsal session.

Candidates will be invited to a casual gathering with the selection panel following the rehearsal sessions.

The candidates will be informed of the result by July 10. Further discussions will be held by video or in person before taking up the post in September.