Our amazing youth ensemble, Avanc, needs a new Co-ordinator. It’s a part-time, home-based, Welsh-speaking post.
Where we come from
Trac Cymru provides inspiration, training and support to individuals and projects to ensure the preservation of Welsh cultural heritage. We give folk artists the confidence, support and backing to unleash their extraordinary talents onto the world. Our mission is to develop Welsh performing folk arts as a living tradition to be shared and enjoyed by audiences and performers at all levels, both in Wales and throughout the world.
AVANC is the stage-name of the Youth Folk Ensemble of Wales, eleven of our most talented young performers. We are mid-way through a two year project with them which will include rehearsal weekends, online mentoring, festival appearances, community outreach and more. Led by Artistic Director Patrick Rimes, Avanc are blazing a trail for the next generation of folk performers.
More about Avanc here www.avanc.cymru
What we need
You will be the lynchpin of this project, making sure it all happens according to the plan and being the main contact person for the band. Working mostly online from home, you’ll keep the tutor team, Trac Cymru management and the band all in touch with each other, and play a significant role in reaching out to young musicians online and wherever Avanc perform.
This role is the equivalent of 0.4 FTE (2 days per week) from 5 Jan 2022 until 31 October 2022 when this ACW-funded project ends.
The salary will be £9200 pa (£23,000 pro rata)
Trac Cymru is an equal opportunities employer. We aim at all times to recruit the person who is most suited to the job and welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.
What you’ll be doing
As co-ordinator, your work will cover three equally important areas:
Keeping Avanc up-to-date
● Acting as the first point of contact for Avanc members, responding promptly to their enquiries and seeking assistance from Trac Cymru staff as required.
● Maintaining regular communications with Avanc by email, phone and/or Facebook regarding activity and availability for performances; arrange tuition and mentoring sessions for the Avancwyr.
● Ensuring records of Avanc members are up-to-date: contact details, addresses, subscriptions etc
● Assisting with the maintenance of the Avanc website where required (Wix).
Managing the project with Trac Cymru
● Meeting weekly (online) with the ensemble’s Artistic Director and with Trac Cymru staff to arrange activity schedules and content, and to keep Trac Cymru staff informed of progress.
● Maintaining the project file on GDrive to keep staff up-to-date with progress, including records of hours worked.
● Providing statistics on project activity, recording numbers of tuition sessions, audience numbers, workshop attendees etc.
● Ensuring that funders’ requirements are met.
External liaison and development
● Liaising with tutors, venues and other professionals involved in the project regarding tuition, professional services, fees and invoicing etc. Ensuring invoices reach the Company Manager promptly for payment.
● Arranging schools and community workshops to complement festival and performance activities and to ensure Avanc reach maximum audiences.
● Attending conferences, performances and residential events as required, arranging this against your regular working hours in consultation with Trac Cymru staff.
Does this sound like you?
You are someone who:
● has project management experience, preferably in the arts sector.
● wants to be part of something important that you truly believe in
● is excited by the idea of working within a small, dynamic organisation
● has a deep and genuine desire to preserve and develop the traditional performing arts of Wales (maybe you are even a musician yourself)
● is detail oriented and reliable
● is flexible, is ok with sometimes tight deadlines and can turn your hand to whatever needs doing
● Is good with people, tactful and constructive
● is persistent. If at first you don’t succeed you work at it until you do, and learn whatever you need to make it happen. You have an ability to figure things out and get things done.
● manages your own time well. We are a small team and initiative is welcomed but we also believe in boundaries and welcome your ability to manage yours.
● is professional and happy to deal with people at all levels, on the phone or face to face
Required experience and qualifications
● Fluent Welsh and English
● Experience of project management
● Attention to detail
● Able to work flexibly from home
● Have access to your own transport and a clean, current driving licence
● Familiar with modern office packages, GDrive and MS Office
● Have the right to work in the UK
Bonus experience
● You have an active interest in Welsh folk culture and want more people to take part
● You have experience of arranging outreach activities to schools and/or community groups
● You’ve been involved in the Welsh folk scene and are comfortable in our world
How to apply
If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been looking for, send a CV and cover letter to Danny KilBride, our Director, cyfarwyddydd@trac-cymru.org telling us why you’re the perfect person for the role.
Applicants who are successful on application will be notified by email to schedule an interview.
Applications close on 6 December 2021, interviews will be during December and the role will start in the New Year. We look forward to hearing from you.
For an informal chat about this role contact Danny KilBride, our Director at the email address above
