Diversity Choir – London’s LGBT+ choir of mixed voices – is seeking an experienced Musical Director to start in September 2026. They will follow in the footsteps of our current MD, Jan Rautio, who is moving on after 10 wonderful years in the role.
Formed in 1992 with its roots in the classical repertoire, Diversity Choir now prides itself on performing a range of musical styles – from Britten to Bernstein; from Schumann to Sondheim. Our diverse repertoire is a key part of our mission statement and our concerts showcase a range of musical genres, including classical, pop, musical theatre, folk and world music.
We are an auditioned choir of around 50 singers who rehearse in the City of London on Wednesday evenings (7.15- 9.30pm). We perform two or three major concerts each year and also support our communities by singing at public events, including the Soho Act of Remembrance and Hate Crime Awareness Week.
We have performed several concerts abroad, including in Amsterdam, Munich and Bologna, and later this year we will join 110 choirs in Brussels at the Various Voices LGBTQ+ music festival.
We aim to be friendly and inclusive – the social side of our activities and community feel of the choir are highly valued by our members.
For more information, please go to our website www.diversitychoir.co.uk
Musical Director responsibilities
• Lead the choir’s rehearsals and performances, in a way which challenges, boosts confidence and develops both vocal and performance skills
• Devise 2-3 concert programmes per year in collaboration with the Repertoire Group and Committee
• Lead weekly evening rehearsals, and additional rehearsals by agreement
• Audition and provide feedback to new members and potential soloists
• Work closely with the Committee and offer guidance on all aspects of music and performance
• Work alongside the Assistant Musical Director, and take responsibility for finding instrumentalists and soloists as appropriate
• Guide the choir in developing and implementing a shared, long-term vision
Role requirements
• Previous experience of leading an established choir
• Skills to motivate and inspire non-professional singers to achieve a high standard of musicality and performance
• Passion for music-making and the ability to keep rehearsals enjoyable and appropriately paced
• A keen ear for intonation, choral sound and balance, coupled with the skills to coach singers
• An understanding of visual performance and the skills to improve the choir’s overall presentation
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to engage with choir members and audiences
• Good organisational skills and the ability to work to a budget
• Proficiency in piano playing (desirable)
• Ability to create imaginative and engaging programming that is both exciting and suitable for our members and our audiences
• A connection to LGBT+ community and a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
We pay an honorarium of between £5,000 and £6,000 per annum and the person appointed will be engaged on a freelance/self-employed basis.
To Apply
If you wish to apply for the role please provide:
• Your CV
• A short covering letter outlining your experience and interest in the role
• Links to any videos illustrating your conducting experience
Please e-mail recruitment@diversitychoir.co.uk
Hiring timeline
• Initial applications are welcome until 30 April 2026
• Candidates who are shortlisted for stage 1 will be invited for an interview and asked to complete a repertoire exercise. Shortlisting and interviews will take place in May/ June 2026
• Candidates shortlisted for stage 2 will be invited to attend a trial rehearsal with the choir in June / July. We expect to make an appointment in August to start in September.
Registered Charity No: 1130737