The Cathedral Office, 9 The Close, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 9LS
Telephone: (01962) 857219 Facsimile: (01962) 857201
ASSISTANT ORGANIST
The Choral Foundation of Winchester Cathedral enjoys an international reputation for musical excellence. Its primary role is to provide the music for the statutory Cathedral services and is headed up by the following people:
Canon Precentor:Sue Wallace
Organist and Director of Music:Andrew Lumsden
Assistant Director of Music:George Castle
The Chapter of Winchester is seeking to appoint an Assistant Organist to join the Choral Foundation of the Cathedral from September 2017. The Cathedral’s Choral Foundation includes 22 boy choristers who attend the Pilgrims’ School, within the Close, 20 Girl choristers aged between 12 and 17 who are drawn from local schools, and 12 Lay Clerks. Between them, they sing eight services a week, with the boy choristers singing six, the girl choristers alternating between Sunday Mattins and Sunday Evensong, and the Lay Clerks singing all eight.
For more information on the Cathedral’s choral foundation, please look at the website:
Main duties and responsibilities
-Playing the organ for choral services in the Cathedral, including voluntaries
-Assisting with the training of the probationer boy choristers including teaching at two early morning practices each week
-Directing the Cathedral Choirs from time to time in services
-Accompanying the Cathedral’s Chamber Choir at services, when requested
-Organising the Cathedral Nave Choir to sing two evensongs each year (arranging and conducting rehearsals; choosing music; booking dates for rehearsals and services)
-Teaching music theory to girl choristers on Wednesday evenings (6.15 – 6.45pm)
-Assisting in the general administration of the music department, including attending regular departmental meetings
-Playing the organ at special services, for which extra fees willbe payable
-Playing for carol services for local schools and other community groups
-Playing for civic services when requested
-Taking part in the Cathedral’s Outreach project with local primary schools,culminating in a daytime workshop and concert in the Cathedral in the summer term
-Re-editing, re-binding and re-printing music and assisting the choir librarian, if required
Person Specification
Education
Music degree
FRCO
Knowledge/experience
Experience of playing for choral services
Experience of working with and training young singers
Experience of working with amateur singers
Skills/Aptitudes
A good team player
The ability to work with children
IT literate including good working knowledge of Sibelius music processing softward
Personal Attributes
Calmness under pressure
Efficient personal organisation – someone who can work efficiently to deadlines
Reliability
Good personal presentation
Terms and Conditions
The position is tenable for two academic years from September 2017 to August 2019 and therefore it is a fixed-term appointment.
Remuneration
A salary of £15,210, is payable, together with additional fees for any special services at which the Assistant Organist plays. The Assistant Organist will reside in shared accommodation provided by the Cathedral.
Holidays
The Assistant Organist is entitled to one day off per week during term time, by arrangement with the Organist and Director of Music. Holiday periods around Christmas, Easter and during the Summer are agreed in advance, as is leave during half-term holidays.
How to apply
Applications should comprise the following:
-Your completed application form. Please ensure that your referees, one of whom should be your current organ teacher, can be contacted prior to interview.
-An accompanying letter explaining your interest in the post. This should also highlight your experience to date.
-Any other relevant information you think might be appropriate (eg. recent recital programmes)
Applications should be returned to:
Sue Armstrong, Choirs Administrator, 9 The Close, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9LS
Email: Tel 01962 857219
Interviews and auditions will be held on Tuesday 9 May.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to play two contrasting pieces (of not more than 10 minutes in total). One of these pieces should be by Johann Sebastian Bach. They will also be asked to perform the accompaniment (without choir) to Francis Jackson’s Magnificat in G(a copy will be sent to shortlisted candidates), as well as improvisation and transposition tests. They will also be asked to take a short chorister rehearsal at the Pilgrims’ School.
The Assistant Organist post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.