Vacancy for Musical Director

Who we are
Haddo House Choral & Operatic Society (HHCOS), a well-established choir of 80 years in the North East of Scotland, requires the services of a new Musical Director. We are a non-auditioned choir of approximately 60 members of mixed ability that produces two concerts a year (with either piano/organ accompaniment or full orchestra) and a number of carol concerts, all to very high performance standards. In the past, our performances have ranged from regularly performed choral works, operas and operettas to lesser known, and contemporary choral works, including Scottish premieres. We rehearse weekly during term time in the Peatyards at Haddo and perform on-stage at Haddo House Hall and in the Chapel.

Who we are looking for
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Musical Director with a strong affinity for choral music and opera. The ideal candidate will bring energy, creativity, and vision to our musical programmes, building on the rich traditions that HHCOS has cultivated over the years. They will be committed to achieving the highest musical standards, curating imaginative and engaging concert programmes that captivate new audiences while honouring and retaining our loyal supporters. Additionally, they will play an active role in nurturing and growing the choir’s membership.

Our Aims
Our founder, June Gordon, set out to make classical music and opera something to be experienced and enjoyed by all, hence our no-audition policy. We believe that with the right guidance, everyone can sing and we would want our new Musical Director to embrace this philosophy. Our Aims and Objectives include, particularly, the encouragement of young musicians, both professional and amateur, and our ambitious repertoire has allowed us to develop good links with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland from where we often engage students as our soloists. We also encourage local orchestral players to perform in the Haddo Orchestra and we are fortunate to have a long-standing relationship with the Aberdeen Sinfonietta. Over the years we have welcomed many guest directors, singers and conductors – all of whom have found Haddo to be a very special place. Many young singers who have sung with HHCOS in the choir or as soloists have gone on to forge successful singing careers.

Our Future
Attracting wider audiences and building our membership is key to our future. Our aspirations are ambitious, and we look to be led by a Musical Director who has the skills to work with singers of mixed abilities and who can bring out the very best in us. An imaginative programme will be key to raising standards and attracting wider audiences. In addition, we wish to expand our membership by holding events to encourage more, and a wider range of people to join the choir and look to hold small, impromptu promotional events.

Applications
We invite applications for this position, and ask that, together with a brief CV, you also enclose suggestions for a musical programme covering the next three years. Whilst we acknowledge that you do not know us or our capabilities as a choir, it will none-the-less give us an idea of where your own vision and ambitions may lie. We will require our new Musical Director to begin in January 2026 (or before) and to take full responsibility for an 80th anniversary performance in March/April 2026. Rehearsals are once a week; 2 hours on Thursday evening during term time. Remuneration for the post will be by negotiation. Applications should be submitted electronically to our Secretary, Sue Willing, at secretary@hhcos.org.uk. The closing date for applications is Sunday 28th September. Selected applicants will be invited to attend an interview at Haddo during the following 2 weeks.