Current vacancies

Below are listed the current vacancies the band is looking to fill.

If you play a big band instrument (saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass, drums, or vocals) to an intermediate standard and are keen to play with the Lara Big Band, we'd love you to reach out even if there's no vacancy listed. We often have situations where band members can't make rehearsal or a performance, so having extra band members over our minimum amount is important.

We do not currently have a formal audition process. Prospective members will be invited to sit in on a few rehearsals before being invited to apply for membership. Visit our New Members page for more information on what joining and being a member of the band is all about.

Please note: As a community band, all positions are volunteer (unpaid).

Current vacancies (scroll down for details):
Pianist
Sound Engineer
Trumpet
Trombone

Pianist

The Lara Big Band is seeking a pianist to play a lead role in our Count Basie-inspired big band. Our existing pianist is stepping down at the end of the year, and we're on the lookout for an enthusiastic and confident pianist to fill this critical role! We have a new Yamaha stage piano for use in rehearsals, performances, and private practice (if required). If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you!

Duties:

• Attend rehearsals and performances whenever reasonably available.

• Undertake private practice to ensure a reasonable level of competence with material.

• Adhere to the band's Code of Conduct and associated policies.

Skills and qualifications:

• Playing ability around AMEB Grade 6+, or 5-6 years playing experience

• The ability to read music and follow a chart is critical - this would be ideal for a classically trained pianist looking to try something exciting and new

• You do not need to know how to improvise (but if you can, you'll have plenty of opportunity to do so!)

• Current competence is not necessary - our band is ideal for musicians who played in high school and moved into other careers and are looking to reconnect with their instrument and love of music.

• If you don't currently meet these standards but are keen to develop, please reach out to have a chat!

Interested?

Email hello@larabigband.org and we'll talk further! We can also send you some pieces of music so you can see the types of music we're playing.

Sound Engineer

The Lara Big Band is seeking a sound engineer to support the band and help it sound its best. As the band grows and adds more musicians and equipment, having a band member dedicated to managing our equipment and perfecting our sound during performances is more important than ever. If you've got a great ear and a desire to work with professional level sound equipment, this might be the volunteer role for you!

Duties:

• Manage and maintain the band's audio equipment, including mixers, microphones, cables, speakers, amplifiers, etc. Ensure it is in good working condition and you have a good understanding of how to use it.

• Undertake research and make purchasing decisions when the band needs to acquire further audio equipment.

• Work with the Musical Director to understand the sound requirements of different Big Band pieces and performances, and develop a system for keeping track of creative decisions influencing sound requirements.

• During performances where no equipment is provided, plan the layout of the audio equipment including speakers and microphones, coordinate the setup and pull-down of audio equipment, and operate the audio equipment to optimise the band's sound throughout the performance.

• During performances where sound equipment is provided, work collaboratively with the provided sound engineer to optimise the band's audio setup and sound throughout the performance.

• Adhere to the band's Code of Conduct and associated policies.

Skills and qualifications:

• No qualifications are required.

• A broad familiarity with professional audio equipment such as PA speakers, mixers, and microphones, would be required. If you have transferable skills that you believe would help you to pick up these skills rapidly, that would also be sufficient.

• An appreciation for live music and an understanding of how to balance audio for the best sound. A broad understanding of big band jazz would be ideal.

Interested?

Email hello@larabigband.org with a brief summary of your interest and we'll talk further!

Trumpeter

The Lara Big Band is seeking a trumpeter to round out our sensational trumpet section! Join our three trumpets to help create the powerful brass section Big Bands are known and loved for. Whilst the vacancy is for the Trumpet 1/2 desks, the skill and confidence of our new trumpeter will determine which desk they ultimately play on. We also support cross-skilling across desks.

Duties:

• Attend rehearsals and performances whenever reasonably available.

• Undertake private practice to ensure a reasonable level of competence with material.

• Adhere to the band's Code of Conduct and associated policies.

Skills:

• For Trumpet 1/2 desks: Playing ability around AMEB Grade 7+, or 6-7 years playing experience

• For Trumpet 3/4 desks: Playing ability around AMEB Grade 4+, or 3-4 years playing experience

• Current competence is not necessary - our band is ideal for musicians who played in high school and moved into other careers, and are looking to reconnect with their instrument and love of music.

• If you don't currently meet these standards but are keen to develop, please reach out to have a chat!

Interested?

Email hello@larabigband.org with some information on your playing background and we'll have a chat!

Trombonist

The Lara Big Band is seeking two trombonists to round out our powerful trombone section! Join our two-strong trombone section to help create the powerful low brass sound to underpin the Big Band's robust tone. This vacancy is for the Trombone 4 / Bass Trombone desk, but the skill and confidence of the trombonist will determine which desks they ultimately end up playing on. We also encourage cross-skilling across multiple desks.

Duties:

• Attend rehearsals and performances whenever reasonably available.

• Undertake private practice to ensure a reasonable level of competence with material.

• Adhere to the band's Code of Conduct and associated policies.

Skills:

• For Trombone 1/2 desks: Playing ability around AMEB Grade 7+, or 6-7 years playing experience

• For Trombone 3/4 desks: Playing ability around AMEB Grade 4+, or 3-4 years playing experience

• Current competence is not necessary - our band is ideal for musicians who played in high school and moved into other careers, and are looking to reconnect with their instrument and love of music.

• If you don't currently meet these standards but are keen to develop, please reach out to have a chat!

Interested?

Email hello@larabigband.org with some information on your playing background and we'll have a chat!

Drummer

The Lara Big Band is seeking a drummer to support our existing drummer and allow the band to continue growing into more ambitious repertoire. The drums underpin the feel and tempo of the entire band, so a confident and capable drummer is a critically important role for the band. The band has a new drum kit at its rehearsal space to ease logistics for rehearsals and performances.

Duties:

• Attend rehearsals and performances whenever reasonably available.

• Undertake private practice to ensure a reasonable level of competence with material.

• Adhere to the band's Code of Conduct and associated policies.

Skills:

• The ability to read music is vital.

• An intermediate to advanced skill level with drums is required.

• Familiarity with standard Big Band drum beats including swing, shuffle, rock, latin, and funk.

• If you don't currently meet these standards but are keen to develop, please reach out to have a chat!

Interested?

Email hello@larabigband.org with some information on your playing background and we'll have a chat!