Champagne Flutes in Billericay Seeks a Musical Director: Essex Ensemble Applications Close 31 October
A flute-focused leadership post in Essex
Champagne Flutes, based in Billericay, Essex, is seeking a new Musical Director as its current leader Judith Underwood prepares to step down at the end of the 2026/27 season. The group has been led for twenty years and has built a substantial library of repertoire, giving it musical continuity and material for future programmes. The opportunity is to guide an established flute ensemble rather than start a new band from scratch.
The ensemble is made up of approximately sixteen to twenty adult flute players. Members take their music-making seriously while valuing friendship and an enjoyable rehearsal atmosphere. The prospective leader should share enthusiasm for flute performance, work confidently with players of differing experience and be able to extend the group's musical boundaries without discouraging those with less confidence.
Monthly second-Sunday rehearsals in Billericay
The ensemble normally meets on the second Sunday of each month, at the Chantry Centre in Billericay, Essex, CM11 2AP. This is distinct from community music organisations meeting every Tuesday or Thursday: the monthly rhythm may suit a conductor who already teaches or plays elsewhere in the region, provided the Sunday commitment and journey are feasible.
Candidates should still ask how extra rehearsals, concerts and planning are arranged, since the short public advertisement does not set out a full annual schedule or guarantee any particular performance count. This is an in-person musical directorship, and the listing offers neither a remote-only role nor an international relocation package.
Knowledge of flute playing is the core requirement
The group is seeking someone passionate and knowledgeable about flute playing. A director may need to manage tone production, intonation, blend, breathing, articulation and the distribution of parts across the flute family. Encouraging people to try more demanding repertoire while protecting confidence is explicitly part of the brief. These musical examples describe plausible rehearsal priorities and should not be confused with a published list of formal exams.
Experience as a flute teacher, a chamber music coach or leader of a mixed-ability woodwind group could be relevant. The short listing does not require a particular flute diploma, number of conducting years, or mandatory audition piece. Prospective applicants should ask whether a trial rehearsal or practical demonstration forms part of the appointment process.
Expenses-based payment: do not mistake it for a salary
The ensemble describes the post as paid, but qualifies that statement by saying the payment will be along the lines of expenses, to be negotiated. No hourly fee, annual salary or fixed payment per concert is given. It would be misleading to call this a fully salaried appointment. Applicants should discuss travel, preparation, rehearsal attendance and expenses before agreeing to take on the role.
As the current director retires at the end of the 2026/27 season, no precise first rehearsal date is promised in the notice. A candidate should avoid treating the advertised October 2026 application deadline as the start of employment and confirm handover arrangements directly with the group.
Closing date and how to enquire
Making Music's listing gives a closing date of 31 October 2026 at 12:00 a.m. Europe/London time. Because midnight is the beginning of the calendar day, anyone interested should contact the ensemble no later than 30 October rather than wait until the final evening of the thirty-first. This note avoids assuming a more generous cutoff than the website displays.
The advertisement directs applicants to the ensemble contact link and group communications and lists the Chantry Centre as the location. An initial enquiry can briefly explain flute ensemble or teaching experience, current Sunday availability and ideas for developing music-making within a friendly community group. Seek the application requirements, remuneration arrangement and selection process directly from Champagne Flutes before sending sensitive personal material.
Primary source: Champagne Flutes' own vacancy hosted by the UK Making Music network, reviewed on 18 October 2026. The directory displays a 31 October deadline at 00:00 Europe/London, so prospective applicants should contact the ensemble before the preceding evening to avoid missing the cutoff. Expenses-based negotiable support is not a published salary.