1. Healthcare

Phil Kids Youth Choirs Artistic Director
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Are you a dynamic conductor who loves to work with children and young people?
Do you have an interest in Kodaly musicianship training?
Do you enjoy working with an enthusiastic team which comprises an Assistant Director and
Musicianship Tutors?
Belfast Philharmonic Society is seeking an Artistic Director and Choir Master for its Phil Kids, Phil
Youth and Chamber Choirs currently numbering about 320 children.
If you are this person, you can download an application form from our website
http://www.belfastphilharmonic.org.uk or request one to be sent by post from
[email protected] .
The closing date for this position is Friday 30th January, 2015. Reasonable travel expenses will be
reimbursed. Interviews are anticipated in late February. The selection process will include both
audition and interview.
Phil Kids choirs are funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and are partners with the
National Youth Choirs of Scotland (NYCoS).
Phil Kids Youth Choirs Artistic Director
To be responsible for the artistic direction of Belfast Philharmonic’s Youth
Choirs, working alongside the Assistant Director and Musicianship Team
Role Description
The successful candidate will be required to:
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Train and direct the Youth Choir (SSA) and Chamber Choir (SATB)
Understand the Kodaly methodology and engage its appropriate use in rehearsals
Prepare and conduct at least two presentation concerts each year and additional performances as
required
Be available to conduct rehearsals on Wednesday evenings and occasionally on Tuesday evenings in
Belfast in the period broadly defined from September to May each season
Be available to prepare and lead occasional additional choral training workshops
To liaise with the Assistant Director and the Musicianship team for planning and development
Personnel Specification
Essential Criteria
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Degree in Music
At least 5 years’ experience in choral direction of children aged between 8 and 18
Proven knowledge of Kodaly Musicianship training
Desirable Criteria
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Five years demonstrable experience of working in association with teams, both artistic and administrative
Qualification in choral direction
Demonstrable enthusiasm for working with children and young people
Ability and experience to choose innovative and appropriate repertoire
Terms and Conditions
This position is offered on the basis of the successful candidate being self employed and responsible for their tax,
national insurance and any pension provision.
Remuneration will be at a level appropriate to qualifications and experience and within the range of £55-£75 per
hour for rehearsals, plus conducting fees for performances to be negotiated. There is usually a minimum call of 2
hours. Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Phil Kids is part of Belfast Philharmonic Society which includes an adult choir of 130 as well as four Youth and
Children’s choirs totalling 320 young singers. It is a registered charity for tax purposes and is seeking similar
registration through the Charities Commission for Northern Ireland.
Please refer to the website www.belfastphilharmonic.org.uk for further information.
The Phil Kids groups currently meet on two evenings – Tuesday and Wednesday – each week, in St Bride’s Church
Hall on the Malone Road, Belfast. This venue is convenient for public transport including buses, trains, the City
Airport and self drive.
In partnership with the National Youth Choir of Scotland
Application Form
Position of Artistic Director of Belfast Philharmonic Youth Choirs
Part A
Title
(Mr/Mrs/Miss/other)
Forename
Surname
Permanent Address
Correspondence Address (if different)
Postcode
Postcode
Email
Phone
H:
M:
Qualifications
Please give details of any qualifications you hold which you consider relevant to your application
Details of Qualification
Year Awarded
Name of College/University
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Location and Availability
Please state willingness to reside within reasonable travelling distance of Belfast on Tuesdays/Wednesdays
and willingness to be available for concerts and events as required. Youth and Chamber Choir rehearsals
take place at present on Wednesday evenings, some availability on Tuesday evenings is desirable. Please
indicate availability.
Yes
No
Tuesdays 4.45- 7.15
Wednesdays 5.15-7.15
Concerts and Events
Please mark Yes or No
Professional Experience
Please include details of your professional experience to date in reverse chronological order.
Organisation
Position
Held
Dates
Outline of Responsibilities
From
To
Month and Year
Please state, in accordance with the information provided to you, why you feel you are suitable for this
vacancy
2
Referees
Please give the names and addresses of two referees who are in a position to comment on your suitability
for the role. One of these referees must be connected with your professional experience. Please indicate if
you wish to be consulted before references are taken up.
Name
Address
Postcode
Tel. no.
Email
Name
Address
Postcode
Tel. no.
Email
Do you wish to be consulted prior to references being taken up?
Yes
No
Interview Arrangements
Please provide details of any special arrangements required if selected for interview.
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PART B:
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form
The information provided in this section will be used solely for the purpose of monitoring our equal
opportunity policy. It will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be made available to the
sifting and interview panel.
Please indicate your religion or the religion to which you would be perceived to belong
by ticking the appropriate box below:
I am a member of the Protestant Community
I am a member of the Roman Catholic Community
I am a member of neither the Protestant nor the Roman
Catholic Community
Please
Male
indicate your gender by ticking the appropriate box below:
Female
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, disability is defined as “a physical or mental impairment
which has a substantial and long-term effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day
activities”.
Using this definition, do you consider yourself to have a disability or have you had such a disability in the
past?
Yes
No
Please provide details below to include details any arrangements required to assist you in
performing this role:
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Please describe your ethnic origin by ticking the appropriate box below:
Bangladeshi
Irish Traveller
Black African
Pakistani
Black Caribbean
White
Chinese
Mixed Ethnic Group
Indian
Other (please specify)
Please specify your nationality :
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Statement of commitment to safeguarding children and young people
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expect all staff and
volunteers to share this commitment.
Declaration of Convictions Form
We are committed to ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants. Information about criminal convictions is
requested to assist the selection process and will be taken into account only when the conviction is considered
relevant to the position applied for.
You have applied for a position that is defined as “Regulated Activity” under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI)
Order 2007. It also falls within the definition of an “excepted” position under the Rehabilitation of Offenders
(Exceptions) Order (NI) 1979. This means that you must tell us about all offences and convictions, including those
considered ‘spent’.
If you have received a formal caution or are currently facing prosecution for a criminal offence you should also bring
this to our attention given the “excepted” nature of the role. If you leave anything out it may affect your application.
This information will be verified through an Access NI Enhanced Disclosure check if you are considered to be the
preferred candidate and are being offered the position. The check will tell us if you have a criminal record or if your
name has been included on the Children’s Barred List and/or Vulnerable Adults Barred List. It is to make sure that
those individuals who might be a risk to children and/or vulnerable adults are not appointed. Access NI has a Code of
Practice which explains this in more detail a copy of this can be made available to you should you wish.
Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from this position, this will depend on the nature of the
position, your offences or other information contained on the Disclosure Certificate or provided directly to us by the
Police.
The information received will be treated confidentially and will be assessed alongside normal selection criteria to
determine suitability for the position. A separate meeting will be held with you if clarification is required to discuss
any issues around your disclosure before a final decision is reached. After the decision has been made the
information will be destroyed.
Please complete the section below and return it with your application. The form also asks you to give your written
consent to the Access NI check, which will only be obtained if you are the preferred candidate. If you do not consent
we will not accept your application.
Applicants can also submit a separate statement of disclosure if they wish. This may include details such as the
particular circumstances around the conviction(s); how circumstances may have changed; and what has been learnt
from the experience. Applicants can contact the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of
Offenders (NIACRO) for more information.
False Information
Please note that providing false information could result in your application being rejected or your dismissal from
employment if you are appointed. The matter may also be referred to the police if we consider that you may have
committed a criminal offence.
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Confidential: Declaration of Criminal Convictions & Consent to Access NI Checks
Do you have any prosecutions pending?
(if yes give please give details)
Yes
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No
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Have you ever been convicted at a court or cautioned by the police for any offence?
Yes
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No
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If yes, please list below details of all convictions, cautions, or bind-over orders. Give as much information as you
can, including, if possible, the offence, the approximate date of the court hearing and the court which dealt with
the matter.
Declaration of Abuse Investigation(s)
Have you ever been the subject of an Adult or Child Abuse investigation which alleged that you were the
perpetrator of any adult or child abuse?
Yes
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No
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If yes, please list full details below including the name of police unit or HSC Trust involved in the investigation. If
possible please provide the approximate date/s.
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Declaration and Consent
I declare that the information I have given is complete and accurate. I understand that I will be asked to complete an
Access NI Enhanced Disclosure Application Form if I am considered to be the preferred candidate and I consent to
the Enhanced Disclosure Check being made, and I agree to inquiries relevant to this declaration.
Signature:
Date:
Print name:
Any surname previously known by:
Position applied for:
Part C
Please note that the Society will interview only those candidates deemed suitable for the post from the
information provided. In the event of a high number of candidates qualifying for interview the Society
may elect to interview only those candidates who possess the essential criteria for the post and who
most closely match the desirable criteria as contained in the personnel specification for the post. Any
offer of employment is conditional on the receipt of satisfactory references.
The statements given by me on this application are to the best of my knowledge and belief true. I
understand that deliberate falsification of factual information may prejudice my application or lead to an
offer of appointment being withdrawn
Signature: ________________________________________ Date:______________________
Belfast Philharmonic Society, PO Box 2044, Belfast, BT4 9DR
E: [email protected] M: 07711 987052
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