Position Description – Music Director

Melbourne Rainbow Band
Musical Director, Concert Band

About Us:

We exist to provide an opportunity for musicians to develop their musical abilities in an environment free of prejudice and discrimination and to promote the LGBTQIA+ community to the wider population. Founded in 1995, and well established in the community, we regularly attract over 50+ members to rehearsal to enjoy playing a wide variety of concert band music.

The MRB rehearses every Thursday night from 7:30pm until 10:00pm.

The MRB performs at locations in and around Melbourne. We participate in high-profile community events such as Pride March and Midsumma Festival. We perform casual community gigs for partners like the Victorian Pride Centre and the City of Stonnington, and perform in regional collaborations in festivals like Shepparton Out in the Open, Daylesford Chillout and the Geelong Pride Film Festival. The MRB produces two major art concerts a year, and our iconic Carols by Queerlight.

We are a musical organisation and also representative of the LGBTQIA+ community with membership in the Pride Bands Alliance; these factors are concrete aspects of who we are.

We recommend all applicants spend some time exploring our website and social media to gain further insights into the profile of the band:

https://mrb.org.au

http://www.facebook.com/MelbourneRainbowBand

https://www.instagram.com/melbournerainbowband

Position Overview:

The Melbourne Rainbow Band is seeking a new Musical Director. This role will suit a passionateand engaging individual who can foster both high-quality playing and an enjoyable atmosphere.

Our new MD will be pivotal in the ongoing evolution of the group, the selection of concert repertoire, supporting players of all abilities and enhancing the collective sound.

The MRB seeks to appoint a musical director who has strong interpersonal skills and prioritises an inclusive rehearsal approach ensuring the continuation of the band’s safe, respectful community. In our band, the atmosphere and feeling of belonging within our organisation are just as important as the music itself. We are a diverse group of musicians and applicants should be aware of and willing to learn about who we are, in order to help us achieve our objectives.

The Musical Director works with, and is supported by an active and engaged committee. Our elected committee consists of nine members (president, vice president, treasurer, administrator and 5 general members taking on varied responsibilities). The MD’s voice is equal to other committee members in discussions.

The Melbourne Rainbow Band is incredibly excited to see what this next era brings as our player numbers and musical standards continue to grow. We seek someone who will be one of us: who will bring ideas, enthusiasm and a high level of commitment, and share in our collective enjoyment of creating great music!

We recognise the year-long commitment that is the MRB MD role. Where possible we seek to support your other occasional professional engagements or personal commitments. If you do not have full time availability you are still encouraged to apply and discuss with us might work with you.

The contract term is for an initial three years, with an option to renew annually following the initial term.

Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Act as a representative of the MRB

• Attend committee meetings (once per month, a mixture of online and in-person) and provide constructive input as and when required

Delivery

• Attendance and pre-planning of rehearsals aligned with the performance schedule, including development activities to improve musicality

• Communication with members about the music and their playing, including the ability to interpret the composer’s intention and interpret the music and style

• Capacity to communicate musical knowledge and skills clearly, effectively and respectfully, in order to enhance concert band intonation, balance, sound and colour.

• Conduct rehearsals, sectionals (as required) and performances

• Bring enthusiasm, positivity and fun to the rehearsal environment

Direction

• Participate in planning discussions for programming for the year ahead, including contributing ideas for musical collaborators and concert themes

• Selection and management, in conjunction with the MRB committee and band members, of performance repertoire

• Coordinate concert formats, running order, stage movement and logistics for performances in collaboration with concert managers and other band members

• Liaise with and support soloists, artists or groups

• Provide verbal reports to the MRB committee as required and an annual written report for the AGM

Essential Criteria:

• Substantial musical conducting experience and ability to lead a concert band

• Capacity to communicate musical knowledge and skills clearly, effectively and respectfully, in order to enhance concert band intonation, balance, sound and colour.

• Thorough knowledge of concert band instrumentation, performance conventions and styles

• Evidence of the ability to select and curate repertoire for rehearsals and performances

• Demonstrated excellence in rehearsal technique. Including the ability to recognise, diagnose and correct musical issues (interpretative, rhythmic, balance and intonation), in an efficient, logical, creative and respectful manner

• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with others in order to create an inclusive and safe environment

Also Desirable:

• Qualifications in music education, music performance or conducting

• Experience conducting in different formats such as concert, marching, and outdoor etc

• Ability to arrange musical parts if required

Contract:

For this position, rehearsals and performances are paid on a per-call basis at the contracted and agreed amount. Other activities such as band camps and regional performances are paid on a per-event basis.

The offered contract will be for three years with the option of one-year renewals after that.

Indicative annual dates

Midsumma Festival – mid-late Jan / early Feb

Midsumma Pride March – February

Major Concert 1 – June

Band Camp – August (Friday – Sunday)

AGM – late August

Major Concert 2- September / October

Carols by Queerlight – Saturday evening in early-mid December

Community Concerts – by arrangement

Fundraising events – by arrangement

How to Apply:

Please provide a cover letter responding to the responsibilities and essential criteria, and resume detailing your qualifications and experience (maximum two pages) . If you have any web links for recordings of your conducting, please include these in your resume.

Applications are due by Sunday, 21st September 2025, by email, as a PDF to apply@mrb.org.au

Recruitment Process:

• Following the receipt of written applications, the MD sub-committee will shortlist applicants to be invited for an interview

• The MD sub-committee will contact all applicants by the end of September to either arrange interviews or advise that they have not been successful on this occasion

• Following interviews, reference checks will be conducted in October and a shortlist of applicants will be invited to a conducting audition with the entire ensemble on a

Thursday evening in late-October/early-November

• In late November, a Special General Meeting will be held at which the band will vote for their preferred candidate

• The MD position will commence with rehearsals in early 2026

Please note: The Melbourne Rainbow Band believes strongly in being an equal opportunity organisation, a trait that is so important for our community. We welcome applications from all and all applications will be assessed equally throughout this process.