We are seeking to appoint two courteous and well-organized administrators to greet visitors and to support our general administration. We are looking for two individuals to complement our team and show commitment, excellent organisational and communication skills, and the ability to multitask effectively. Providing operational support to the Music and Operations teams the role includes but is not limited to:
Delivering a great guest experience at every stage of our customer journey
Being the first point of contact for visitors, concert and course enquiries and bookings
Provide operational support to the Music and Operations teams whilst ensuring exceptional customer service, listening to guests, and managing requests and issues with genuine warmth and interest.
Maintain and follow all security, accommodation, booking, telecommunication and other policies and procedures
About The Benslow Music Trust
Benslow Music is a unique charity which inspires musicians of all ages and abilities to develop and express creativity throughout their lives.
Beginnings
The first Rural Music School (RMS) was established in Hitchin in 1929 by Mary Ibberson to provide teaching for beginners and those wanting to continue musical involvement after their school years. The RMS Association (RMSA) was incorporated in 1947 to act as a focus for music teaching in rural areas and as a pressure group to address what was seen as a deficiency in the general educational system. This grew rapidly to some 20 centres in England devoted to making available good music teaching in country towns and villages, with its headquarters in Hitchin.
Little Benslow Hills, a substantial Victorian house, was bequeathed to RMSA by Esther Seebohm in 1952 ‘to be used in perpetuity for the support of music-making’ and became the operational hub of the organisation. A recital hall was added in 1976.
Benslow Music Trust
Benslow Music Trust was established in 1986 ‘to promote music education for social benefit through the study and practice of music, especially in its social and co-operative forms, amongst students of all ages’ with membership open to anyone willing to pay a subscription, and thus was established a substantial programme of short residential courses for adults, with a welcoming ethos.
The Instrument Loan Scheme – a separate charity – was brought to Benslow Music Trust at about this time. It had been set up to lend quality, mainly string, instruments to students up to the age of 25.
To accommodate increased activity, the Lodge was converted to bedrooms in the early 1990s and a new wing (Waldeck) – with a recital hall, practice rooms and bedrooms – was opened in 2001 with the help of a Millennium Lottery Grant of £1.1Mn. More accommodation and playing space was added with the Fieldfares extension, and by the conversion of the Coach House and other out-buildings in 2009. The Aston Building, which houses the Benslow Music Instrument Loan Scheme, was opened in 2020.
Today and into the Future
Constant upgrading, refurbishing and rebuilding of facilities, and a new corporate identity have contributed to an unending quest to widen the scope of Benslow Music’s work and to improve access. There is now a fully professional staff running approximately 220 residential music courses annually. Good quality accommodation and in-house catering are available for up to 50 guests at any one time; some 35 public concerts and events are given during the year; and there is an extensive and well-used music library.
Our trading company, Benslow Music Enterprises, supports the core music education offer by providing Bed and Breakfast facilities for the general public, and by facilitating various third-party events.
Plans for the future include ongoing development of creative music activities for all ages, an expanded online offer, additional collaborative and partnership working, and further development of our site facilities and accommodation. In short, Benslow Music Trust weathered the pandemic and is now poised for continued evolution and diversification to reach new audiences in each area of activity. This is an exciting time at which to be joining the Trust, as we look towards our centenary celebrations in 2029.
How To Apply
Please send applications to Laura Thompson, Head of Music (laura@benslowmusic.org – telephone: 01462 459446). Candidates should include a full CV, the names and contact details of at least two referees and a covering letter outlining how they meet the personal specification criteria of the role. The closing date is 26 April 2024.