We are recruiting Music Leaders
We’re looking for thoughtful, skilled musicians and music facilitators to join the team delivering our Young Musicians Project (YMP).
YMP provides free, regular music-making opportunities for young people aged 11–19 across Sunderland. There are no auditions or entry requirements. Young people can write, play, produce, record and perform music, whether they arrive with lots of experience or are trying something for the first time.
This is a facilitation role, rather than a conventional teaching post. You’ll work alongside another Music Leader and a WMC Producer, helping young people develop their ideas, collaborate with others and take increasing ownership of their music.
We’re interested in people from a wide range of musical backgrounds. You might be a musician, songwriter, producer or creative practitioner with experience of working with young people. You might also be newer to facilitation and interested in developing your skills with the right support.
What matters most is that you are warm, reliable and non-judgemental; genuinely interested in young people and their ideas; and able to balance creative ambition with patience, flexibility and appropriate professional boundaries.
About the work
Our current sessions take place in central Sunderland, Hendon and Pallion, with a new weekly session planned for Houghton-le-Spring from January 2027.
These are freelance, sessional opportunities, with no guaranteed minimum number of sessions. We plan each term in advance and ask Music Leaders to tell us which days, times and locations they are available for. Wherever possible, sessions are allocated in blocks to provide continuity for young people and Music Leaders.
The Music Leader rate is £44 per hour. Sessions are typically two hours long, with the fee also covering a planning catch-up and short debrief immediately afterwards.
Applicants who are not yet ready to work independently as a Music Leader may initially be offered supported opportunities at a lower hourly rate, agreed in advance.
Termly reflection meetings, gigs and additional project work are paid separately. Additional meetings and training are paid at the Real Living Wage, currently £13.45 per hour.
Shadowing YMP
Before joining the Music Leader cohort, suitable applicants will be invited to shadow three YMP sessions.
This is a chance to meet the team, experience our approach and see how sessions respond to the different interests, ideas and needs of young people. All three shadowing sessions are paid at the Real Living Wage of £13.45 per hour.
Afterwards, we’ll arrange a conversation to reflect on the experience and discuss your interests, availability and whether joining the team is the right next step.
How to apply
Please send your CV and a short expression of interest telling us:
About your musical background
About any experience of working with young people, or your interest in developing this experience
What interests you about YMP
Which days, times or locations you may be available for
Send your application to info@wemakeculture.co.uk.
DEADLINE: 11 September 2026
We particularly welcome interest from people whose backgrounds, identities, musical practices or lived experiences are underrepresented within our workforce and the wider music sector.
If you would like to discuss the opportunity, tell us about any access requirements or apply in a different way, please get in touch.
Download the full Sessional Music Leader Recruitment Pack for more information.