Appointment of a part-time Assistant Director of Music
Introduction
Following the appointment of the current post-holder as Sub Organist of Portsmouth Cathedral,the Cathedral wishes to appoint a part-time (19 hours per week) Assistant Director of Music to take up the post on 1st January2018, or as soon as practicable thereafter.
We believe that the Anglican choral tradition is a distinctive gift which the Cathedral offers first to God and then to the wider community, and weseek a musician of calibre who will share this conviction and strive for the highest standards.
Background Information
The Cathedral
The Cathedral stands on the site of a Saxon church in the centre of Wakefield. Evidence of the Saxon building was discovered in 1900 when extensions to the east end of the building were made. In 1090, King William II gave the church and land in Wakefield to Lewes Priory in Sussex and shortly after that a Norman church was built.
The present building was mainly constructed during the 14th and 15th centuries in the Perpendicular style. The 15th century spire is 247feet (75m) tall and is the highest spire in Yorkshire. Up to the 16th century, the church was known by the Anglo Saxon All Hallows and after the Reformation changed to All Saints.
The building was restored during the 19th century by George Gilbert Scott, with the stained glass windows being created by Charles Eamer Kempe. In 1888, the Diocese of Wakefield was created and All Saints church became the Cathedral for the new diocese.
As part of Diocesan strategic development the Chapter formulated a Strategic Development Plan 2009-2014 for Wakefield Cathedral. This plan has been replaced by a follow-on document ‘A strategy for mission and sustainability’. The following is taken from its introduction:
Wakefield Cathedral exists to worship God and point others to him. We seek to help people live as disciples of Jesus Christ, and share his love with the world. We are set in the heart of the city, and endeavour to offer a warm welcome to all who enter or pass by our doors. We have made public our desire that everyone who lives in Wakefield District will come inside at least once a year. We try to give priority to people who are needy or disadvantaged. We work hard to be a place of conversation for people of all faiths and none, and a cultural hub in the city centre. Our city centre location gives many people the opportunity to drop in, which leads to 50,000 or more candles being lit each year, as people remember a loved one, or bring a deep concern to God.
Although the renewal of the building has consumed a lot of energy for a number of years, it has also empowered us, and strengthened our commitment, to building up the people of God. We seek to serve the wider community, and to grow our congregations in numbers and depth. Since this is a key priority, we were pleased to feature as a case study in the recent church growth report from the Church Commissioners: ‘From Anecdote to Evidence.’
As part of Project 2013, the Cathedral nave was cleared of pews, given a beautiful new stone floor, gleaming clean walls, renewed heating, sound and light, and rendered fit for worship and community use in the 21st century. Our cluttered, cold, black, Victorian nave has been transformed into a bright, warm and welcoming medieval space, which resulted in an increase of the number of our regular worshippers and visitors. Project 2015 saw the East end of our Grade 1 listed building shine again, with cleaning of the entire East end, renewed lighting and electrics, a new stone floor with under-floor heating, renovation of St Mark’s Chapel and the creation of a quiet area for those who simply want to sit or light a candle. Pearson’s 1905 crypt was also renewed as part of this project.
Throughout 2017, the Cathedral has seen funding from the Chancellor’s WW1 fund, which is restoring the stained glass of the West end of the Cathedral.
The Cathedral is now committed to Project 2018, the third phase of re-ordering and renewal of the Cathedral. The renewal of the East end of the Cathedral, which ran from May 2015 to May 2016 had implications for the work of the music department, as the library and song school were moved from the Chapter House (which had functioned as a song school for many years) to the upper rooms of the Treacy Hall. This third phase, Project 2018, therefore has at its core the development of a new home for the music library and song school alongside developing improved storage and toilet facilities.
Staffing
The Dean is The Very Revd Jonathan Greener. The Sub Dean and Canon Pastor is Canon Tony Macpherson; the Canon Precentor is Canon Leah Vasey-Saunders. The following serve primarily in Diocesan roles, but also as Residentiary Canons: The Canon Librarian, Canon Dr John Lawson and the Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations, Canon Derek Walmsley. The Area Dean of Wakefield and Director of the Mirfield Centre, The Revd June Lawson, serves as Priest Vicar.The lay staff includesthe Office Manager and Dean’s PA (Neil Holland).
The Music Department
The Precentor is Head of the Music Department. Currently, the Director of Music is responsible for the Music Department’s administration and circulates the various schedules and letters that go out to parents and choir personnel.
There is a weekly Music Department meeting.
Thomas Moore is the Director of Music of Wakefield Cathedral and is responsible for the training of the Cathedral Choir.He has served at Wakefield Cathedral’s Assistant Director of Music since September 2002, and as Acting Director of Music, then as Director of Music since April 2010.
The success of the Music Department depends on a continuation of the good working relationship between the Director of Music and Assistant Director of Music, each of whom is to be regarded as a senior member of the team. The Director of Music has final responsibility in matters musical among the musicians, and will nurture and encourage the personal and professional development of the whole department.
The Assistant Director’s main responsibility is to play the organ for all choral services in the Cathedral, at concerts, parish visits and on tours, although from time to time he/she can expect to direct the choir and be involved in choir training. As a department, we have always shaped roles around both the opportunities that arise and on the resources and skills present in any given year. For example: It has been normal practice during the past two years for the Assistant Director to conduct Tuesday Evensong (Junior Boys) and also to take a lead on the planning and directing of the 9.15am Sunday Eucharist.
An Organ Scholar is normally appointed for twelve months to three years. The current Organ Scholaris a student at Wakefield Girls High School. She undertakes playing or conducting duties at the request of the Director of Music.
All department staff play a key role in the chaperoning of choristers. In particular, the Assistant Director shares responsibility for the accompaniment of the Junior School boys on their short walk from the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (Junior School) to the Cathedral Tuesday – Friday.
The Music Library is presently accommodated in the Office (first floor), next to the Song School (Eastwood Room) above the Treacy Hall corridor.
The liturgical tradition
The Cathedral’s pattern of worship has been established over many years, and Wakefield is known for its Catholic tradition. Within that tradition the pattern has gradually evolved and today embraces a wide range of authorised services and includes some experimental worship, an area in which we wish to continue to expand and develop, both for the sake of the Cathedral’s mission, and in order to meet Diocesan needs.
The Book of Common Prayer is used for Evensong on weekdays (with the BCP psalms for the day) and on Sundays. On Sundays at the Eucharist at 9:15 am, Common Worship, Order One (contemporary language) is used with a congregational setting led by one of the Treble lines. At the Eucharist at 11 am, Common Worship, Order 1 (traditional language) is used. At the latter and at the Great Festivals, (usually Common Worship, Order One (contemporary language)), the musical setting is sung by full choir in Latin, BCP English or modern English.
Incense is used at both Eucharists on Sunday morning, at Festival Eucharists and Solemn Evensongs. Great importance is attached to the careful execution of the liturgy and we are fortunate in our team of dedicated servers, who, with our musicians, make a vital contribution to the effectiveness of the services particularly at the Festivals and during Holy Week, and, indeed the whole year round.
The Musical Foundation
The Parish Church of All Saints became the Cathedral for the Diocese of Wakefield at its creation in 1888, and after the creation of the new Diocese of Leeds at Easter 2014 is now one of the three Cathedrals of the new Diocese. Wakefield Cathedral has developed a splendid tradition of liturgy and music, which attracts congregations from a wide area. Wakefield has long had a traditional choir of men and boys. In 1992 we became only the second cathedral in Britain to establish a girls choir.
The Cathedral Choir consists of boys, girls and lay clerks.
The boys (aged 8-13) and girls (aged 8-18) attend a variety of local schools, among them the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS), Wakefield Girl High School (WGHS), Silcoates and others. They receive pocket money for their services, which increases as the choristers progress through the choir. For choristers at QEGS and the WGHS there is a contribution to the school fees.
The connection of the Wakefield Grammar School Foundation to the Cathedral is informal, but its status is recognised by associate membership of the Choir Schools Association.
There are ten Lay Clerks, who regularly sing on Thursdays and Sundays, and a number of deputies, who can be called upon at need. The lay clerks in some cases travel vast distances, showing their great commitment to the musical worship and liturgy for which the Cathedral is well known.
Boys sing Evensong normally on Tuesdays, Girls on Wednesdays, and one of the Treble lines with the lay clerks on Thursdays. There is a pattern of duties for Sundays, a treble line (usually girls) at 9:15 am, a treble line (usually boys) and lay clerks at 11 am, and again a treble line and lay clerks at Evensong. Occasionally the boys and girls take part in the same service (e.g Christmas carol services, joint celebratory services like the Patronal Festival, and others). We are careful to ensure that the girls as well as the boys have opportunities to sing at the major services.
All singers occasionally sing extra services (diocesan/civic) and for Festivals, and at the Occasional Offices.
The former Assistant Director of Music on occasions has formed a voluntary adult choir who undertake the Sunday morning and Evensong duties, perhaps four times a year when the Cathedral Choir is on holiday. It is envisaged that a voluntary adult choir be formed, which could be called upon more regularly and also for the occasional special service. There is also scope to develop a small group of cantors, who could be used during Choir holidays to lead,for example, Responsorial Psalms and Gospel Acclamations.
The organ
The present organ was constructed in three stages:1905 – Abbot and Smith; 1951 – John Compton; 1985 – Wood of Huddersfield.
The action is electro-pneumatic. Unusually, all the pipe-work except the Choir Organ and the Tuba is enclosed in swell boxes. Compton's work was based on the use of unit chests of the sort pioneered by Robert Hope-Jones. At Wakefield, the Great, Solo, Bombarde and Pedal divisions retain these unit chests, one for each rank, with substantial extension. The Swell and Choir divisions are on conventional chests, without extension. Wind pressures are relatively high, especially for the Great and Solo reeds - approximately 10" and 15" respectively. The Pedal 'Contrabass' - also on high pressure - is in fact a 'Diaphone' with wooden tubes. The large number of low-pitched stops reflects the particular acoustic of Wakefield Cathedral, where the lower pitches do not carry well through the building. This is particularly true when there is a large congregation.
While Wakefield Cathedral Organ is unmistakeably English in character, well-suited to accompanying both choir and congregation, it is also remarkably versatile for recital work. We often feel it sounds better in the building than its designs suggests it should! This is largely due to the sensitive rebuilding by Mr David Wood in 1985.
Specifications
1
CHOIR
Diapason 8
Rohrflöte 8
Dulciana 8
Gemshorn 4
Lieblichflöte 4
Nazard 2-2/3
Fifteenth 2
Flautino 2
Tierce 1-3/5
Larigot 1-1/3
Mixture (19.22) II
GREAT
Double Open Diapason 16
Double Stopped Diapason 16
First Diapason 8
Second Diapason 8
Third Diapason 8
Stopped Diapason 8
Quint 5-1/3
Octave 4
Principal 4
Stopped Flute 4
Twelfth 2-2/3
Fifteenth 2
Super Octave 2
Mixture (12.15.19.22) IV
Cymbale (15.19.22) III
Acuta (26.29) II
Contra Posaune 16
Tromba 8
Posaune 4
SWELL
Bourdon 16
Geigen Diapason 8
Stopped Diapason 8
Viola da Gamba 8
Voix Celeste 8
Octave Geigen 4
Lieblichflöte 4
Fifteenth 2
Mixture (15.19.22) III
Oboe 8
Vox Humana 8
Double Trumpet 16
Trumpet 8
Clarion 4
1
SOLO
Contra Viola 16
Concert Flute 8
Violoncello 8
Violon Celeste 8
Harmonic Flute 4
Viola 4
Harmonic Piccolo 2
Double Clarinet 16
Orchestral Oboe 8
Clarinet 8
Tuba 8
BOMBARDE
Sub Diapason 16
First Diapason 8
Octave 4
Mixture (5.8.12.15.19.22) VI
Contra Tromba 16
Posaune 8
Tromba 8
Tromba 4
Contra Tuba 16
Tuba 8
Tuba 4
PEDAL
Subbass 32
Contrabass (Diaphone) 16
Open Wood 16
Open Metal 16
Subbass 16
Contra Viola 16
Lieblich Bourdon 16
Quint 10-2/3
Octave 8
Flute 8
Lieblich Flöte 8
Violoncello 8
Quint 5-1/3
Superoctave 4
Flute 4
Mixture (12.15.19.22) IV
Cornet (synthetic 32') IX
Clarinet 16
Tuba 16
Posaune 16
Tuba 8
Posaune 8
Tromba 4
1
Pattern of services
Sunday service times
08.00 am Holy Communion (said)
09.15 amSung Eucharist & Messy Church - contemporary language
11.00 am Sung Eucharist - traditional language
3.30 pm Choral Evensong
4.30 pm Holy Communion at the Chantry Chapel of St Mary-on-the-Bridge (1stSunday in the month only)
4.30 pm Evening Prayers (lay led) at the Chantry Chapel of St Mary-on-the-Bridge (3rd Sunday in the month only)
Monday to Saturday service times
08.00 am Morning Liturgy
10.30 am Eucharist (Wednesday & Saturday)
12.30 pm Eucharist (Monday & Friday)
12.30 pm Prayers for Peace (Thursday)
3.30 pm Evening Prayer (Saturday)
4.30 pm Evening Prayer (Monday & Friday)
5.00 pm Evensong - Boys' Voices (Tuesday)
5.00 pm Missa (2nd and 4th Saturday in the month only Cathedral or Chantry Chapel)
6.00 pm Evensong - Girls' Voices (Wednesday)
6.30 pm Evensong –Boys’/Girls' and Men's Voices (Thursday)
9.00 pm Lazy Compline- Men’s Voices (2ndThursday in the month only)
The pattern of services varies from time to time, and has to be adapted to take account of special duties or engagements, but the Dean and Chapter attach importance to the maintenance of this routine as far as possible.
Special services are principally those of the liturgical year. The choir takes a leading part in processional or carol services: Advent Sunday, a Celebration of Christmas and Epiphanytide.There are Sung Eucharists on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi, Michaelmas and All Souls. We keep a full Holy Week, including a programme of Passiontide Music on Palm Sunday afternoon. The Cathedral Choir is involved in singing at diocesan services and on some civic occasions.
This list is not exhaustive, and the precise deployment of the Cathedral Choir is something that is kept under regular review as a subject for discussion between the clergy and the musicians.
Musical Provision outside term-time
As part of the team, the Assistant Director of Music will be required to play the organ/provide the music for a proportion of services outside of choir term.
Extra-curricular activities
The boys, girls and men undertake a full programme of services, broadcasts, concerts and recordings. Recently they produced two CDs under the label of Priory Records: The Complete Psalms of David volume 7 and a CD of popular Choral Classics.
We are keen to encourage parish concerts or Choral Evensongs (one each term), as a means of strengthening the links between the Cathedral and the Diocese. Annual choir tours take place, for which funding has to be raised or found by the Wakefield Cathedral Choir Association and chorister parents.
Occasional Services
The Cathedral is regularly used for occasional services (weddings, funerals, services of thanksgiving) and Diocesan services. The Director of Music is expected to play for these services as part of his terms of contract. There are also services requested by voluntary groups for which extra fees are payable. The Assistant Director of Music can expect to be asked to play at a number of these services.
Chorister Outreach
In recent years, Wakefield Cathedral has taken part in the Chorister Outreach Programme, a national government-funded scheme designed to encourage and enable cathedrals to use their musical resources to promote singing among children in primary schools. It was part of the national Sing-up programme, led by the former government’s Singing Ambassador Howard Goodall, which aimed to achieve Singing School status for every primary school by the year 2012.
From the beginning, the Director of Music and the Assistant Director of Music, choristers and lay clerks were involved in a variety of ways in supporting the work of the Cathedral’s Community Musician. Exciting work took place aiming to instil and develop the joy of singing among children in local primary schools.There is no longer any outside funding to continue this work, but the Director of Music hasin a small way continued this valuable and much valued musical outreach work in the region. It is envisaged that the Assistant Director of Music will assist in a programme of for example, school visits (alone and with choristers), ‘Sing Up-style’ concerts and ‘Come and be a Chorister’ Evensongs as part of their work.