Be part of something amazing – Scotland’s new music ensemble is looking for a new Chair of the Board along with a new trustee with legal expertise and a new Trustee in Training.
As one of the UK’s most exciting and innovative makers and commissioners of new music, the role of trustee means you will become part of a vanguard developing new works for the national and international stage, supporting and developing young composers and musicians and working closely with communities.
Always forward-thinking and dynamic, the company plays a leadership role nationally and internationally in the development of new music and the engagement of new audiences through its busy, annual schedule of events. Our current Board members have expertise and experience at a senior level in arts, marketing, education, finance, and community work.
See details for each role and how to apply below.
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CHAIR OF THE BOARD
For this role, we invite interest from suitably experienced individuals at a Chief Executive level and would particularly welcome those with a background in the UK public sector and/or experience of a previous board membership and a genuine interest in music and the arts. The ideal candidate would contribute their knowledge and strong industry contacts and commit to actively support the ensemble by promoting and supporting the organisation externally.
Candidates should share our values, have experience in leadership or governance and have time to invest in supporting Red Note’s work and strategy. Previous Chair experience is not required but a plus, though we do require strong leadership experience in a public sector setting.
Board meetings are held quarterly online, and the Board meet once a year in person in Glasgow or Edinburgh for the annual Board Away Day.
The Chair is responsible for ensuring the Board works effectively, leading the Board team and meetings and overseeing decisions taken.
In addition, the Chair gives informal advice by phone or 1:1 meeting with the executive team as required and line-manages the CEO.
If you would like to have an informal discussion with the current Chair of the Board, Ian Smith, you can get in touch with him via email at ian65smith@icloud.com or call +353 87 442 2654
Alternatively, please write to us explaining why you are interested in becoming Red Note’s Chair of the Board (no more than an A4 page, single sided) and attach your CV.
Please send this to Red Note’s General Manager, Flore Ducasse, on flore@rednoteensemble.com.
The deadline to submit interest is Sunday 2nd November 2025.
If you have any questions that aren’t covered here, if you have technical difficulties or have any access requirements, we can support you with the application process. Please contact Ian Smith, Chair of the Board at ian65smith@icloud.com with your question and he will reply to you with the required information.
If there is another format that would support you to do your best application then please get in touch via flore@rednoteensemble.com and we will work with you to try and make it possible.
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TRUSTEE WITH LEGAL EXPERTISE
For this role, we invite interest from candidates with experience in the legal sector, and a genuine interest in music and the arts.
We particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience in contract or IP law.
You don’t have to love contemporary music to be part of the story, but you do need to believe that music makes a real difference to life and provides significant access to participation at every level.
You don’t have to have experience of being on a Board, one of our core areas of focus is developing talent, and that applies to our trustees too.
You don’t need to be based in Scotland (or the UK), we value expertise and insight wherever you are based.
What you do need, is enthusiasm, affinity with Red Note’s ethos and some time to dedicate to quarterly meetings on Zoom, with some work in between and to attend our annual Board Away Day in person in Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Before each board meeting, papers are circulated for the board to read in advance. Board meetings are usually on a Monday evening between 6-8pm UK time.
In return, you’ll learn new things, stretch your thinking, and meet some genuinely lovely folk.
If you’ve never considered being on a Board but you would like to discuss the opportunity with any of us – get in touch. We’d love to hear from you. If you’ve got oodles of experience and have time to spare, we’d love to hear from you too.
To find out more about why Red Note Ensemble is so exciting, and to discover more about what it means to be a Director and Trustee please check out Red Note’s website, and the Board Director handbook.
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Ian Smith, Chair of the Board at ian65smith@icloud.com.
Alternatively, please write to us explaining why you are interested in joining the Board of Red Note Ensemble (no more than an A4 page, single sided) and attach your CV. Please send this to Red Note’s General Manager, Flore Ducasse, on flore@rednoteensemble.com.
The deadline to submit interest is Sunday 2nd November 2025.
If you have any questions that aren’t covered here, if you have technical difficulties or have any access requirements, we can support you with the application process. Please contact Ian Smith, Chair of the Board at ian65smith@icloud.com
with your question and he will reply to you with the required information.
If there is another format that would support you to do your best application then please get in touch via flore@rednoteensemble.com and we will work with you to try and make it possible.
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TRUSTEE IN TRAINING
This is an opportunity for a student or emerging professional aged 18-28 to take part in a 2-year board trustee in training role. This opportunity will allow a student or emerging professional to get first-hand experience sitting on a board and develop their skills.
Please note this is a voluntary role.
What To Expect
You don’t have to have experience of being on a Board. This role is specifically catered towards developing talent and potential. Learning in this role is expected. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to shadow other board members, as well as a one-to-one mentor with a current Red Note trustee.
What you do need, is enthusiasm, affinity with Red Note’s ethos and some time to dedicate to quarterly meetings on Zoom, with some work in between and to attend our annual Board Away Day in person in Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Before each board meeting, papers are circulated for the board to read in advance. Board meetings are usually on a Monday evening between 6-8pm UK time.
The board aims to have one in person meeting or training day each year. Travel expenses will be covered by Red Note for this.
This traineeship is for 2 years. We would like to hear from applicants that can commit to this tenure. You don’t need to be based in Scotland, we value insight from anywhere. Red Note currently has 2 board members who are based in Europe.
Benefits
In return, you’ll learn new things, stretch your thinking, and meet some genuinely lovely folk.
The role of a trustee is an incredible experience that will boost your career and give the opportunity to develop a range of skills:
- Develop skills
- Grow your network
- Learn about governance and understand how the arts sector works
- Make a difference
It is also worth noting that our former Trustee in Training; Mareike Ohl has now been elected to serve as a full Red Note Ensemble trustee demonstrating the significant benefit of this initiative to the successful applicant.
Contact
If you’ve never considered being on a Board but fancy a chat – get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
For an informal chat with the Chair, CEO or any of the Board, contact Ian Smith, Chair of the Board at ian65smith@icloud.com or call +353 87 442 2654
How To Apply
Please write to us explaining why you are interested in becoming Red Note’s next Trustee in Training (no more than an A4 page, single sided) and attach your CV. Please send this to Red Note’s General Manager, Flore Ducasse, on flore@rednoteensemble.com.
The deadline to submit interest is Sunday 2nd November 2025.
If you have any questions that aren’t covered here, if you have technical difficulties or have any access requirements, we can support you with the application process. Please contact Ian Smith, Chair of the Board at ian65smith@icloud.com
with your question and he will reply to you with the required information.
If there is another format that would support you to do your best application then please get in touch via flore@rednoteensemble.com and we will work with you to try and make it possible.
