Mansfield Choral Society Seeks a Paid Music Director for May 2027 — Applications Close 1 November
A local paid music leadership role with an established choir
Mansfield Choral Society in Nottinghamshire is looking for a new Music Director to begin in early May 2027. It is a mixed-voice, non-auditioned amateur choir of approximately fifty singers, with members of different ages and abilities. The repertoire ranges from major classical and sacred choral works to contemporary pieces, musical theatre and lighter programmes. The advertised appointment is paid, with a fee negotiated for rehearsals and performances.
The society is seeking a conductor who can help singers develop technically and musically while sustaining the welcoming atmosphere that makes a community choir work. Familiarity with larger amateur choirs is a central requirement; some experience conducting an orchestra would be an advantage for its more substantial concert repertoire. This is not a competition for a one-off guest conducting appearance but an ongoing leadership appointment.
Thursday rehearsal location and seasonal commitment
The regular rehearsal is held on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Ladybrook Community Centre, Ladybrook Lane, Mansfield, NG18 5JJ. The choir operates from September to early July, with breaks during some school holidays. In addition to Thursday rehearsals, two Saturday morning sessions per term are part of the established schedule.
The society gives three or four full concerts per year in the Mansfield area, as well as occasional smaller outreach appearances and collaborations with other choirs. A prospective Music Director therefore needs availability for both weekly work and additional performance dates. Applicants based far from Nottinghamshire should carefully assess travel and scheduling before expressing interest.
What the director is expected to contribute
Core duties include training the choir in repertoire selected in consultation with the membership, conducting singers and guest performers in concerts, supporting high musical standards, and helping the Music Committee choose works that fit its artistic ambitions. The appointed director is also expected to audition internal soloists when appropriate and advise on professional soloist or instrumental engagements.
A clear rehearsal method, constructive sectional work and effective communication are likely to be as relevant as an impressive conducting CV. The society has recently performed works including the Bach Magnificat, Vivaldi Gloria and pieces by Rutter, Elgar and other composers. This background helps a candidate gauge the required skills, but future repertoire will be chosen collaboratively rather than dictated by this recruitment article.
Pay is negotiated, not a published annual salary
The society states that the position is remunerated through a negotiated fee for rehearsals and performances. The public advert does not give a fixed salary, set hourly rate or guaranteed overall annual payment. Applicants should ask how longer Saturday rehearsals, preparation, planning meetings and extra outreach performances are handled in the agreement.
Mansfield Choral Society is a registered charity supported by membership subscriptions, donations and concert income. Understanding that funding model can help candidates approach the financial discussion realistically without assuming a large institutional payroll. The details of the role will be incorporated into a mutually agreed job description.
Submit a CV by 1 November 2026
The closing date for expressions of interest and a CV is Sunday 1 November 2026, at 10:00 p.m. UK time according to the Making Music listing. The vacancy is associated with the contact Claire Nielsen; the appropriate application link or email address is supplied on the live advertisement. Avoid sending personal information to unrelated websites copying the job.
Interviews and auditions with the choir are planned for early 2027, and the new appointment is expected to begin early May. Candidates can use their initial expression of interest to describe experience leading amateur SATB choirs, preparing large works and building a supportive musical environment. The society remains the authority for any change to the audition date or final employment conditions.
Source: Mansfield Choral Society's recruitment advert published through Making Music, checked on 18 October 2026. The amount of remuneration has not been published, and candidates should confirm the negotiated terms directly.