Riot Ensemble is seeking passionate and visionary individuals to join our Board of Trustees and help guide the organisation through its next phase of artistic growth and impact. As a Trustee, you’ll play a central role in shaping strategic direction, supporting governance, and championing Riot Ensemble’s mission to present adventurous contemporary music, nurture emerging composers and performers, and expand audiences for new music in the UK and beyond.
The deadline for applications is 8th April. Please find more information below.
Join Our Board — Become a Trustee of Riot Ensemble
In 2025 Riot Ensemble’s international profile and local impact were equally in focus, alongside the establishment of Manchester as our new home base. Internationally, we performed at the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize Ceremony in Munich, appeared at Distat Terra (Argentina) and Dark Music Days (Iceland), and undertook recording sessions at Deutschlandfunk in Cologne for our recently-released CD Gates (Coviello Contemporary, co-production with Deutschlandfunk), featuring works by Eden Lonsdale, Kaija Saariaho, Eric Skytterholm Egan, and Bernhard Gander. At the same time, Manchester became a focal point for our artistic activity in the UK: we made our Bridgewater Hall debut with an appearance at Manchester Classical, presented a chamber programme at Hallé St Peter's in collaboration with the Royal Northern College of Music, and worked with Commission for New and Old Art and Lucy Shelton on a Pierrot-centred programme at the Anthony Burgess Foundation. Alongside our ongoing residency at the Royal Academy of Music, this activity reflects a deliberate deepening of regional partnerships while maintaining a strong international profile.
Who We Are
Founded in 2008 and active professionally since 2012, Riot Ensemble is an industry-leading contemporary music ensemble dedicated to bold programming, genre-defying collaborations, and commissioning cutting-edge works by living composers. Our activities span live performances, commissions, recordings, and educational engagement — all grounded in a commitment to artistic excellence, innovation, inclusion, and artistic risk-taking.
We collaborate with composers, performers and institutions across artistic disciplines; we amplify voices that are underrepresented in the contemporary music world; and we explore new ways to bring extraordinary music to curious audiences. Our recent seasons have included world premieres, national tours, and digital commissions that reach listeners far beyond concert halls.
Our residency at the Royal Academy of Music is a cornerstone of our work in artist development. Since 2024, we have been delivering the Academy’s first intensive three-year contemporary music programme, mentoring three composers and six performers through close collaboration, workshops, and performances alongside with Riot Ensemble. The initiative has already fostered lasting artistic relationships — including the organic formation of a new group, ensemble [flux]. In recognition of its success, the Academy has secured new funding to extend the partnership into a second three-year cycle, deepening our shared commitment to nurturing bold new voices in contemporary music.
Why Become A Trustee
Serving as a Trustee at Riot Ensemble is a rewarding volunteer leadership opportunity. You’ll help support organisational governance, ensure we remain sustainable and impactful, and contribute to the long-term vision of the ensemble. Trustees act as ambassadors for Riot Ensemble, advocating for our work within their networks and helping to strengthen relationships with funders, partners, and communities. All our trustees work closely with our team of co-Artistic Directors, Aaron Holloway-Nahum (also our CEO, and conductor), Marie Schreer (also our violinist) and Goska Isphording (also our harpsichordist).
This is an opportunity for you to bring your skills, passion and perspective to an ensemble that is deeply embedded in the creative life of contemporary music — and to deepen your own engagement with the cultural sector.
“This is a group … that treats new music as a bloodsport: they like to be in at the kill.”
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking to appoint a number of trustees. Ideally, we would appoint 2-4 new trustees, and would especially welcome individuals with experience in one (or more of these areas):
Audience development / experience creation
Education
Fundraising
We welcome applications from anyone who is interested. Riot has a strong commitment to inclusivity, equity, and diversity in the arts, and we believe this art is for everyone. We are especially interested in those who have cultural experience outside of traditional classical music, but whether you’re an industry insider or a passionate newcomer to contemporary music, we believe everyone can have a place at our table.
You don’t need prior board-level experience; what matters most is your enthusiasm for supporting adventurous music and your willingness to contribute meaningfully to the ensemble’s future.
You can find out more about becoming a Charity Trustee on the UK Government website here or Charities Commission website here.
Committment
New trustees are appointed for an initial term of three years, with the possibility of renewal.
This is a voluntary (unpaid) position, though reasonable expenses (e.g., travel, access support) can be reimbursed. The Board meets regularly throughout the year (typically quarterly), and trustees may be invited to join sub-committees aligned with their expertise. Trustees play an active role in strategic decision-making, financial oversight, risk management, and organisational stewardship.
Current Trustees
Peter King OBE, Chair
Sally Groves MBE
Andrew Kurowski
Emma-Jane Azkoul
Daniel Lewis
Read more about them here.
Recruitment Process
We invite applications by 9am on Wednesday 8th April 2026.
To be considered for this voluntary role, please complete your application via our Google Form below, detailing your interest in the role and what skills you would bring to Riot Ensemble. We accept written, audio and/or video applications.
All applicants will be asked to fill out an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form for our evaluation purposes via the above link (not used in the selection process).
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a short online interview on DATE.
The second round will take place in late May/early June
Selected candidates will be invited to observe a Riot Ensemble’s Board meeting where they will have a chance to ask questions and be voted in, with a view to joining formally from the next meeting onwards.
Queries
For any questions about the role or how to apply, or if you’d like a relaxed, informal chat beforehand, please contact us. We welcome requests for accessibility support and can provide the application in different formats, such as audio or video, to suit your needs.
Aaron Holloway-Nahum
CEO & co-Artistic Director, Riot Ensemble
Email: aaron@riotensemble.com
Peter King
Chair of the Board
Email: peter.ds.king@gmail.com
Thank you for your interest.