Assistant Conductor
Chineke! Orchestra Paid per project Closing date 13 February 2026
Chineke! is looking to appoint an assistant conductor for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons.
Under the guidance of Chineke!'s Interim Artistic Director, Jonathon Heyward, the Assistant Conductor programme offers an immersive experience in the life and operations of Chineke! Orchestra. The selected conductor will work closely with our players and engage with a diverse range of repertoire both from underrepresented composers and the more established canon.
This two-year residency for a conductor of Black or ethnically diverse background, will include, but is not limited to professional development, conducting engagements, mentorship, and career-building opportunities, alongside assisting world-class conductors in preparing for Chineke!’s concerts across the two seasons. In previous seasons, Assistant Conductors have assisted conductors in Chineke! concerts at the BBC Proms, the Southbank Centre, on European and USA tours, and led the Chineke! Junior Orchestra during their summer residential course.
Your role as Assistant Conductor
- Regularly assist conductors on Chineke! projects across the 2026 / 27 and 2027 / 28 seasons, including international tours as well as concerts across the UK. This will include significant time on the podium during rehearsals, as well as building up to conducting the orchestra in concert.
- Collaboration and conducting opportunities with the Chineke! Junior Orchestra, the professional orchestra’s sister ensemble for young musicians aged 12 – 22.
- Structured feedback from musicians after engagements.
- Regular meetings with the Chineke! Composer in Residence.
- Participation in community outreach and engagement programmes.
- One-on-one coaching sessions with the Interim Artistic Director.
- Ongoing engagement: Chineke! may continue working with the conductor and invite them back to lead future concerts after the conclusion of the programme.
- Where possible, strategic partnerships with other ensembles or organisations will be explored to further champion the conductor’s development and exposure beyond Chineke!.
Under the guidance of Chineke!'s Interim Artistic Director, Jonathon Heyward, the Assistant Conductor programme offers an immersive experience in the life and operations of Chineke! Orchestra. The selected conductor will work closely with our players and engage with a diverse range of repertoire both from underrepresented composers and the more established canon.
This two-year residency for a conductor of Black or ethnically diverse background, will include, but is not limited to professional development, conducting engagements, mentorship, and career-building opportunities, alongside assisting world-class conductors in preparing for Chineke!’s concerts across the two seasons. In previous seasons, Assistant Conductors have assisted conductors in Chineke! concerts at the BBC Proms, the Southbank Centre, on European and USA tours, and led the Chineke! Junior Orchestra during their summer residential course.
Your role as Assistant Conductor
- Regularly assist conductors on Chineke! projects across the 2026 / 27 and 2027 / 28 seasons, including international tours as well as concerts across the UK. This will include significant time on the podium during rehearsals, as well as building up to conducting the orchestra in concert.
- Collaboration and conducting opportunities with the Chineke! Junior Orchestra, the professional orchestra’s sister ensemble for young musicians aged 12 – 22.
- Structured feedback from musicians after engagements.
- Regular meetings with the Chineke! Composer in Residence.
- Participation in community outreach and engagement programmes.
- One-on-one coaching sessions with the Interim Artistic Director.
- Ongoing engagement: Chineke! may continue working with the conductor and invite them back to lead future concerts after the conclusion of the programme.
- Where possible, strategic partnerships with other ensembles or organisations will be explored to further champion the conductor’s development and exposure beyond Chineke!.