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SE’s 50th anniversary season saw important developments across many areas of the organisation. It featured a successful philanthropic fundraising campaign; saw SE picking up New Music Performer of the Year at the New Music Scotland awards; and created the context which allowed the organisation to lead a new Creative Europe project connecting innovative ensembles from across the continent. SE is now looking ahead to determine how it can best continue to act as a leader in innovation within the classical music sector.
With uncertain times ahead for the live performing arts, SE is preparing itself to continue its commitment to creating quality
musical experiences for a diverse audience - embracing and planning new, sustainable and pioneering models.
SE’s board is dynamic and inclusive in culture and supports the executive team to develop new ideas from a base of sound and rigorous strategic thinking. The Trustees are now looking to expand expertise on the board (particularly through representation from the fields outlined later in this document) and ensure diverse perspectives and knowledge supports a successful next phase in SE’s development.
Board Recruitment 2020Information Pack
Key Information
Meeting locations Glasgow
Time commitment Four Board Meetings per year, plus an annual Away Day.
From time to time, individual Trustees also work with the executive team on strategic projects directly related to their professional background and/or lead temporary sub-committees (eg. Nominations Committee, Development Group)
Trustees also regularly attend SE’s performances and occasionally represent SE at events.
Remuneration Trustee roles are not accompanied by any financial remuneration, though reasonable travel expenses may be claimed. SE encourages sustainable travel options.
Board terms The period of appointment for all Trustees is three years in the first instance. Appointments may be renewed thereafter for further periods (of variable length but not exceeding three years). Cumulative periods of appointment will normally be for a maximum period of ten years.
To apply Send a CV and covering letter to [email protected] by Monday 27 July.
Trustee Responsibilities
SE’s highly engaged Trustees share the full range of their experience and expertise with SE across a range of responsibilities, including:
• Developing, setting and ensuring the upholding of the vision, mission and values of Scottish Ensemble
• Strategic planning, evaluation and decision-making
• Risk management
• Review of budgets, management accounts and statutory accounts
• Review and development of all internal controls, financial and operational
• Review of staffing structures and resources, including senior management recruitment
• Oversight of reporting to regulators and funders
• Ensuring compliancy, transparency and accountability in line with governing documents, and legal obligations
• Board succession planning
• Support the Chief Executive and the executive team, acting as a critical friend
• Acting as an ambassador for SE
• Cultivating connections which may be of benefit to SE
• Attending performances as an audience member
“I doubt I’ll hear string playing as thoughtful, profound and sensationally warm again this year.”The Times on Babel with Gabriela Montero
Watch video onlineScottish Ensemble & Anna Meredith: Anno
Person Specification
A combination of the following skills, experiences and approaches are sought:
• Experience/understanding at board level (particularly in innovation-focused organisations)
• Interest in classical music and/or passion for the performing arts
• Strong critical strategic thinking
• An ability to challenge and constructively contribute to key organisational issues in positive ways that focus on building to a practical solution
Based on a recent skills audit, the Trustees are particularly seeking expertise in one or more of the following fields:
• digital/technology sectors
• public policy (particularly in the areas of arts & culture, health & wellbeing, and equality, diversity & inclusion)
• fundraising/philanthropy
• international connections in the performing arts sector
Local, national and international interest is sought, and digital participation in board meetings is supported, though we hope all board members will be able to regularly engage with the organisation in person in ways accommodated by their circumstances. We positively encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.
“An inspirational evening, full of wonder.” The Scotsman on For A Winter’s Night
Watch video onlineCelebrating 50 Years of Adventures In Music
SE Mission
To create exhilarating musical experiences that forge new connections between people, places and ideas.
SE Vision
Scottish Ensemble is a highly flexible music ensemble that inspires diverse audiences through its creative collaborations. Its artistic projects are widely celebrated at home and across the globe as outstanding, distinctive and boundary-pushing.
SE has an appetite for creating rich new partnerships across repertoire, genre, form and location; when people come to an SE performance, they expect to be taken on an imaginative, transformational musical journey. From performances with classical singers and instrumentalists to those with visual artists, choreographers, puppeteers and folk musicians, SE is committed to creating live experiences that engage a broad audience and make new artistic connections.
With roots in the classical tradition, SE now stands out as a sector-leading music organisation in both its operational and artistic models. Its musicians and managers are known as open and ambitious, and are willing to explore new areas of practice and to support others to realise compelling, exciting artistic ideas. As a result, SE is in demand across the world.
Access to SE’s performances is significantly widened through an imaginative and integrated creative learning programme and the creation of high-quality digital content, enabling audiences to connect with the life-affirming power of collaborative music-making.
Watch video online20th-Century Perspectives: City Spaces & Strings
SE Core Values
We believe that music is a highly flexible and collaborative art form that can and should make meaningful connections across repertoire, genre, form and discipline.
We want to create opportunities for musicians to explore and stretch their musicianship, creative and communicative skills, to ensure they are continually developing as artists and as ambassadors for music-making.
We believe that classical music can be as connected to current audiences, communities and artists as it is to its great, centuries-old traditions, but only when boundaries and conventions are reassessed.
We celebrate Scotland’s diversity and create work to build strong connections across the length and breadth of the country, but also aspire to share our work with international audiences.
We are responsible global citizens who use resources in a socially and environmentally conscientious way.
We believe that technology can enable us to explore new artistic opportunities and to share our performances and creative learning work with as wide an audience as possible.
Watch video online
“a thrilling reinvention of the entire piece” The Telegraph on Goldberg Variations – ternary patterns for insomnia
Goldberg Variations - ternary patterns for insomnia
Governance and Funding Information
The Board of Scottish Ensemble currently comprises nine lay directors and three player directors, including SE’s Artistic Director, Jonathan Morton. The Chairman of the Board is Samantha Barber, an experienced non-executive director and CEO, who has just commenced her final term as Chairman/Trustee.
Full biographies of SE’s current Trustees can be found here.
In addition to the main board, a Finance & General Purposes Committee meets quarterly prior to board meetings, chaired by Lesley Watt, an experienced Chartered Accountant and CFO.
Scottish Ensemble is a Creative Scotland Regularly Funded Organisation, as well as a regular recipient of support from some of Scotland’s Local Authorities. This statutory funding represents around 35%-40% of turnover.
SE’s has a successful track record of attracting support from trusts and foundations, and a committed group of regular donors. Fundraised income generally represents around 25% of turnover. Box office income and engagement fees, and orchestral tax relief make up the remainder of SE’s resources.
SE reserves policy protects 9 months of running costs, and the organisation also has a designated Development Fund which is used strategically by the board to underwrite/enable key initiatives or pilots.
Interviews, Shortlisting and Induction Process
Pending forthcoming government advice around social distancing, we hope to be able safely meet any candidates in person prior to any appointments, though at this stage we anticipate initial interviews will take place over Zoom during early August.
Shortlisted candidates will be given the opportunity to observe a board meeting, prior to any confirmation of appointment.
New Trustees will have the opportunity for individual meetings with the Chair, Chief Executive and Artistic Director, as well as a visit to SE’s offices, an introduction to the team (in particular any staff members with whom you might be working most closely), and an introduction to SE’s musicians at the first relevant performance.
Trustees will also receive a full (digital) induction pack with copies of all relevant company and board documents, previous annual reports, accounts, minutes of recent meetings, policies and procedures, and evidence of recent organisational output (eg. marketing materials, supporter materials, reviews, films, reports).
General Company Information
SE’s full biography can be found hereSE’s most recent audited accounts can be viewed hereSE’s Privacy Statement can be viewed hereSE’s Environmental Policy can be viewed here
Contact Information
Scottish EnsembleCentre for Contemporary Arts350 Sauchiehall StreetGlasgowG2 3JDwww.scottishensemble.co.uk
SE’s Chair and Chief Executive would be delighted to answer any questions interested parties might have and can be reached on:
Samantha Barber [email protected] Jenny JamisonChief [email protected] 443202
Image credits:Page 1: Louise MatherPages 2, 3, 6 and 8: Hugh CarswellPage 4: sourced directly from filmPage 5: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
“I cannot stress enough how impressive is the musical and physical feat of the Scottish Ensemble musicians delivering a flawless performance of Bach’s masterworks even as they move about the stage. At no point is the music compromised in tone or tempo. In fact, it almost seemed like the path was opened to a more spirited and committed performance due to their symbiosis with the dancers. Perhaps this is a lesson that other classical music ensembles can take to heart.”Connect Savannah on Goldberg Variations – ternary patterns for insomnia
