Associate Choral Leader Programme

Designed for choral conductors and vocal animateurs, the Associate Choral Leader training programme is aimed at those in the early stages of their professional music careers. With a focus on practical leadership and structured support, the programme equips participants with the skills and experience needed to lead engaging and effective rehearsals and services in a variety of settings.

Over the past year, our Associate Choral Leaders have developed their practice through training, workshops, and hands-on experience in schools, community choirs, and semi-professional ensembles. Many have brought music into communities with limited access, contributing to local music-making in meaningful ways.

We look forward to welcoming the 2025–26 cohort and continuing to support the development of emerging choral leaders as they grow in confidence, expand their skills and make a positive impact across Manchester and London.

Apply now for 2025-26!

We currently have three opportunities open for application, two of which are based in Manchester and one in London. Click on the links below for further information about each Associate Choral Leadership programme we have running for 2025-26.

APPLICATION FORM: Associate Choral Leader Application Form 2025-26

Please return the application form, along with a current CV, by email to Alicia Hinchliffe, Music Programme Manager at Alicia.hinchliffe@smitf.org by Wednesday 9th July at the latest.

Shortlisted applicants will be asked to direct a short choral rehearsal, and undertake an interview. Auditions will take place on Tuesday 15th July, 3-5pm (London) or Monday 21st July, 5-7.30pm (Manchester).

Associate Choral Leader Training Programme

As part of the training programme, all Associate Choral Leaders will take part in a structured programme of professional development, delivered approximately six times per academic term. These sessions bring together Choral Leaders from across the UK, creating a supportive and inspiring learning environment.

Recent workshops have included:

  • Conducting technique with Patrick Russill
  • Working with children’s voices with Laurel Neighbour
  • Vocal health with Charlotte Mobbs
  • Orchestral conducting with Alice Farnham

The training programme is led by Olivia Tait, Assistant Director of Music at St Martin-in-the-Fields, and follows a hybrid model. Each term includes around three online sessions and three in-person workshops, typically held on Tuesday afternoons.

Case study

In September 2023 Chloë Allison was appointed as one of our first Associate Choral Leaders, based at Dunstable Priory. She writes…

“At the start of the year, there was a small, non-auditioned junior choir who sang on Sunday mornings. The improvement they have made this year in terms of skill and confidence is huge. We have new members who now sing regularly and a music theory programme running for the choristers.

As well as this choir, a volunteer adult choir has been formed who have sung for a number of events this year, including advent and carol services, Pentecost and ‘come and sing’ services. We now have 40 adults who have sung with this choir on at least one occasion.

At the end of June, we have our first schools’ music outreach event, ‘Sing for Joy!’, which 75 junior school children from Dunstable will attend.

We have won funding from a charitable trust to establish a choral scholarship programme for 16-19 year olds from September. This is a unique opportunity in Bedfordshire and very rare for this age-group anywhere.”

Please email choirs@smitf.org if you would like to be kept informed of future Associate Choral Leader positions.

Our music programmes are supported by generous donors, funders and members of the Music Patrons Circle. We are grateful to the following and those who have chosen to give their support anonymously.

Funders

  • The Arts Society
  • The Foundation for St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
  • Lord and Lady Lurgan Trust
  • The Pilling Trust Fund
  • The Williams Church Music Trust

Legacies

  • Mary and Bryn Walters and family

Music Patrons Circle

  • Bernard and Phyllis Fisher
  • Lady Sarah Riddell
  • & Other Patrons