Director of Music

Bedford School seeks a Director of Music to lead musical provision across the Prep and Upper School from the start of the Summer Term 2027. From September 2027, the school will begin welcoming girls across Years 3-13.

The Director will help prepare for this significant transition, ensuring that Music provides an ambitious, inclusive and engaging education for the school's co-educational community.

Bedford has a proud and distinguished musical tradition. The successful candidate will build on these strengths, raising standards for accomplished musicians while increasing participation and engagement across academic Music, instrumental and vocal tuition, ensembles and performance. The role requires a leader who can work with an experienced team to develop provision, encourage new interests and support pupils at every stage of their musical education.

Music is taught throughout Years 3-9, with GCSE Music, A Level Music and A Level Music Technology offered thereafter. Across the respective two-year courses, approximately 30 pupils study GCSE Music, eight study A Level Music and seven study A Level Music Technology.

The department comprises five full-time Music teachers, including the Director of Music, Head of Academic Music (Deputy Director of Music), Head of Choral Music, Lead Teacher of Music Technology and Head of Music (Prep). A full-time Music Administrator, School Organist & Accompanist and team of 30 visiting music teachers support its academic, instrumental, vocal and performance provision.

Over 300 individual music lessons take place each week across the Prep and Upper School. The wider programme includes over 24 ensembles and approximately 50 concerts annually, encompassing weekly lunchtime concerts, major school concerts, chamber music and solo performances. These provide opportunities for pupils of different ages and abilities to perform and progress.

Choral Music is an established strength. The Chapel Choir contributes to weekly services during term time and the wider concert programme, supported by the Head of Choral Music and School Organist. Singing in Chapel and assemblies, together with the annual House Singing Competition, extends participation throughout the school. Tours and external performances enrich pupils' experience, including a recent Chapel Choir tour to France.

The Director of Music will support the Head of Choral Music to develop this provision as girls join the school, building on the choral tradition and creating further opportunities for singers.

The department is housed in a purpose-built Music School, designed by Eric Parry, with a 100-seat Recital Hall, three academic teaching rooms, two digital recording studios, 15 specialist instrumental teaching rooms and six additional practice rooms. The Great Hall and Chapel provide further performance spaces and house the school's organs. The Chapel will house a brand new Drake organ which is to be installed during 2027.

Specialist music technology facilities support composition, recording and production alongside the school's instrumental and vocal provision.

All Year 5 pupils receive free instrumental starter classes, with some continuing to individual tuition in Year
6. This programme introduces pupils to instrumental learning and supports progression into individual tuition and ensembles. At the other end of the pathway, pupils pursue Music and Music Technology at leading universities and conservatoires. The most recent Music destinations include King's College London and Cambridge University, with other destinations in recent years including Durham, Royal Holloway, Berklee College of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music.