Metropolitan Police Choir Musical Director

Metropolitan Police Choir Musical Director Metropolitan Police Choir

The Metropolitan Police Choir is seeking an inspiring and enthusiastic Musical Director to lead our long-established and thriving choir into its next chapter.

With a proud history spanning more than 150 years, the choir has been a valued part of the Metropolitan Police family for generations. Ten years ago we became a mixed-voice choir and today we have around 60 members, comprising a welcoming mix of current and retired police officers and police staff. As a registered charity, we are committed to promoting choral music, supporting musical participation and contributing to the wider community in London through our performances and activities.

We perform a varied and engaging repertoire, ranging from traditional choral works to contemporary pop arrangements and musical theatre medleys. The choir presents two major concerts each year, in the summer and at Christmas, alongside regular performances at Metropolitan Police events. We also sing at a range of venues across London and are honoured to participate in some prestigious events, including the Commissioner's Carol Service in Westminster Abbey.

As part of our 10th Anniversary celebrations we recorded an album, “10 Years On the Beat”, over a weekend – hard work but extremely rewarding, and the result is available on streaming services.

Rehearsals take place weekly on a Monday evening at Holy Sepulchre Church, Holborn – the National Musicians' Church and a truly exceptional venue in which to rehearse and perform. We enjoy a strong and valued relationship with Holy Sepulchre, supporting its community outreach through local events, such as their informal Musicali-Tea concerts.

The successful candidate will be responsible for planning and directing rehearsals and performances, selecting music that is both enjoyable and appropriate for the choir, and creating a positive, supportive environment that encourages learning, confidence and engagement across the membership.

Applications are welcomed from candidates of all backgrounds. Applicants should have experience of directing adult mixed-voice choirs, excellent musicianship, strong communication skills and the ability to inspire singers of varying experience and ability.

This is a wonderful opportunity to work with a friendly, committed and sociable choir with a unique heritage, a charitable purpose and an important place within the Metropolitan Police community.

Fees will be paid in line with Musicians' Union rates for rehearsals and performances. Please note some performances are during the daytime as well as in the evenings, mid-week or weekends.

• Take all rehearsals for concerts and events
• Conduct all public performances, unless agreed otherwise
• Liaise with the Accompanist and the Committee to ensure all the musical elements of the rehearsals are covered
• Plan all rehearsals to ensure the choir's readiness for performances is achieved
• Meet new members to conduct a voice test and agree which part they will sing
• Work with existing members on an ad hoc basis to ensure the musical quality of the choir is maintained and that members are singing their most appropriate voice part
• Advise on the vocal balance of the choir and whether any action needs to be taken to maintain overall balance
• Work with the committee to select and plan the repertoire
• Work with the committee to choose which events to support and to help with some aspects of planning and organising
• Attend committee meetings when required, these are sometimes in person and held on rehearsal evenings before the rehearsal or may be online (Teams meetings) at other times
• Actively promote the choir through local and established networks as well as their…