We are seeking volunteer chaperones to join our fantastic team who look after the children attending Junior Choir’s weekly rehearsals at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall. Visit Love Music’s website to read about Love Music’s mission, vision and values.
About the role
Love Music Junior Choir began in 2017 and has a dynamic membership of up to 120 children. We welcome children aged 8-12 from all areas of the city and from many different backgrounds, providing financial assistance where needed, support with travel and tailored learning resources for children with support needs. The choir is about giving everyone the chance to take part in a high quality musical experience while having fun and celebrating individuality.
Chaperones are the main point of contact for guardians and children during the rehearsals. They look after the children’s safety around the building and assist our artistic team to support children who benefit from a little extra help during rehearsals. The role is a non-musical one as rehearsals are led by our choir leaders. There is no need for applicants to have experience of singing or music-making, but they should be able to demonstrate enthusiasm and encouragement to the children, regardless of their own or the child’s singing abilities.
We are happy to cover travel expenses.
We have the chance to experience seeing young people from many different backgrounds coming together to learn about singing as a choir. It has been a privilege to see them enjoying making friends and learning songs so quickly. (chaperone)
Requirements
The people we are looking for will have experience of being around or working with children of this age range and feel confident to be a responsible adult in situations such as giving emotional support or co-leading a group during an evacuation. They will have a good level of verbal English, be able to understand and follow procedures including in relation to child protection, and be punctual and reliable. They will enjoy working as part of a team and be able to demonstrate and encourage enthusiasm, confidence and resilience. The ability to remain calm, focussed and positive in a busy, noisy and occasionally challenging environment will stand them in good stead. Our main priority is ensuring a safe, encouraging and warm atmosphere for our singers.
We would love our chaperone team to reflect the diversity of the children who attend and we welcome applications from all genders, ethnicities and walks of life. We are happy to discuss adaptations or support required for those with disabilities.
We hold a mandatory training day for new chaperones one week before each term starts, usually on a Monday. We provide training in child protection, basic first aid, venue orientation, and a full explanation of our procedures including health and safety. New chaperones work alongside more experienced chaperones for their first term.
Watching the children go from timid uncertainty to joining in with gusto, enthusiasm and even in some cases bouncy delight, is a joy. (chaperone)
Your availability & term dates
Chaperones are needed from 3.40pm to 5.50pm on Monday afternoons during choir terms – check the dates here. On concert days, some are required for the evening too.
The staffing rota is created in advance of the term. There is no obligation to be available for every rehearsal, but it is preferable to be available for at least 5 of the dates to get to know the children in your group. We have a required ratio of adults to children at each session, so a degree of commitment is necessary, but we have some additional chaperones who can stand in if required.
How to apply
Successful candidates will be subject to a Protection of Vulnerable Groups Disclosure Scotland check. Chaperones must be over 18 years old.
Please fill in the application form on the Love Music website.
If your application is acceptable, we will email you to arrange an interview date. Following your interview, we will check your references and begin the PVG process.