Music Service Manager opportunities

The Music Service Manager is responsible for delivering high quality, accessible musical experiences for children and young people in the York and North Yorkshire area through the York Music Hub and North Yorkshire Music Hub.

We are looking for passionate individual who is committed to improving the quality of local music services and understands the importance of reducing music inequalities, instilling the belief that all children and young people, regardless of their backgrounds, should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and excel in their music learning should they wish to, as outlined in the National Plan for Music Education.

North Yorkshire Music Hub was set up in early 2012 and works in partnership with local and national arts programmes and organisations. Its objective is to deliver the government’s commitment to improving the quality of local music services, and our performance is monitored by Arts Council England.

Please visit the North Yorkshire Music Hub website to read more about the music service, and its goal to create the very best opportunities for children and young people to get involved in music making.

Hear from our team

One of the service’s music teachers:

“As a singing and piano teacher for over 20 years with the music service some of the main benefits are the trust given to us teachers to manage one’s own schedule, kind supervisions and robust management. Regular training days are also good for meeting peers in a relaxed environment.

Travelling through the idyllic North Yorkshire countryside season to season is also a great bonus. I’ve witnessed first-hand the incredible benefits that music education brings to children from all backgrounds including free school meal pupils who like me received group lessons for free whilst at school.

Facilitating regular musical tuition in school time reveals a miraculous world of cognitive improvements, from boosting memory and language skills to supporting maths and science. In my lessons, I see how music nurtures creativity and offers a safe outlet for emotional expression. Group singing and piano playing not only cultivate strong social skills but also foster teamwork and camaraderie among peers. The discipline of learning an instrument nurtures perseverance and self-confidence, leaving my students with a profound sense of achievement. Plus, exploring the rich tapestry of musical styles and cultures broadens their horizons in ways that textbooks simply can't. It's heart-warming to see how these experiences shape their growth and ignite a lifelong love for music and culture!”

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One of the service’s Music Centre Managers:

“I played in ensembles at Scarborough Music Centre and was the youngest-ever member of the North Yorkshire County Band aged 9, so I appreciate the social and musical benefits of participation in North Yorkshire’s Music Centres. These childhood experiences developed into a lifetime of making music at a high level and around the world, opening doors to friendship and travel.

As manager of both Whitby and Scarborough Music Centres, I am now opening doors to local young people who learn an instrument to engage with these opportunities by rehearsing and performing together.

Most of all, music-making is an enjoyable activity: singing in a choir or playing in an orchestra should be fun. However, its benefits go far deeper and are lifelong. Participation in bands, choirs and orchestras has well-researched and documented social, physical and psychological benefits from combatting loneliness to improving posture and boosting mental health.

At a time of significant pressure on budgets, staff and young people, and in the face of competition from gaming, technology and other hobbies, my role as manager of two Music Centres in seaside towns is not without its challenges. However, these towns have distinctive communities with established festivals, concerts and creative sectors and I am

working to develop strategies and initiatives that leave a legacy for the future by encouraging young people to make music safely and enjoyably at Music Centres on North Yorkshire’s coast.”

The role

Living and working in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is a thriving county that adapts to a changing world and remains a special place to live and work.

North Yorkshire's natural beauty is captured in its three areas of Outstanding Natural Parks, National Nature Reserves, stunning coastlines, scenic rural villages, vibrant cities and market towns. North Yorkshire really is a beautiful, thriving and special place to live and work, rich in heritage and culture.

North Yorkshire features significantly in the ten best places to live in the UK and highlighted as the safest place in England with extremely low crime rates.

In addition, the county benefits from excellent road and rail links, with easy access via the East Coast mainline, the A1(M) and A19. Leeds, York, Newcastle, Durham and Teesside are all easily commutable, and London and Edinburgh are just two hours away by train.

From its lively cities to pretty villages, rolling countryside and grand coastline, Yorkshire has so much to offer including great employment opportunities for your family members, along with a higher proportion of schools which are good or outstanding compared to national figures.

You can find out more about what North Yorkshire has to offer on the No place like North Yorkshire website and by watching our video on what North Yorkshire is:

Looking to relocate? We welcome applications from those looking to relocate to North Yorkshire, with a relocation allowance available. For more information, please see our relocation policy.

Why work for us

We are a strong performing authority, with supportive political leadership and talented teams providing the platform to have a fulfilling, challenging and successful career in a truly stunning place.

A recent peer challenge found that the council is a good place to work, with strong leadership and a loyal and committed workforce who have access to well-regarded training and development.

We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice, offering a range of training and development opportunities and career progression, allowing you to manage your own development journey and empowering you to control your career. Your career can change with your life here in North Yorkshire.

We positively encourage flexible working, and we provide you with the technology you need to work from a wide variety of locations.

We believe in the importance of inclusion, which is why we are always working towards being a more diverse, equitable and inclusive employer. Find out more about our equality, diversity and inclusion work on our working for us page. You can bring your whole self to work, and we will support you to be the best that you can be. Our values, behaviours and ambitions underpin everything we do.

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of great benefits to help you financially make life a bit easier. These include:

• a local government, career average employer contribution pension scheme
• family friendly leave
• salary sacrifice schemes
• modern flexible working practices
• learning and development packages
• career advancement opportunities
• employee discount benefits, including shopping and gym discounts
• green car and cycle schemes
• travel loans

You can find more information on the range of benefits we offer on our total rewards page.

Watch this video to see more of what North Yorkshire has to offer.

Key documents

• our council plan 
• our role, structure and objectives
• total rewards / relocation package

 Application tips

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Contact us and apply 

If you feel you have the skills, passion, and drive that we are seeking, we want to hear from you! 

To apply, please submit your application via our jobs and careers site.

For an informal and confidential conversation about the role, please contact Louise Wilson, Assistant Director Education and Skills on louise.wilson@northyorks.gov.uk or contact Ian Bangay, Head of Music Service on Ian.Bangay@northyorks.gov.uk.

We will not accept applications from agencies.