ASSISTANT ORGANIST BACKGROUND

Transcription

1 ASSISTANT ORGANIST BACKGROUND St Anne s Cathedral has stood for over 100 years as a place of Christian worship in the heart of the City of Belfast. This wonderful building offers the visitor, whether the pilgrim or the regular attendee at daily and Sunday services, a sacred shared space to worship or reflect and an opportunity to enjoy the history and visual art in the Cathedral, for example, the mosaics, the carved stonework, the many fine stained glass windows, the carefully sourced marble tiles on the floor and walls and the delicate wood carving as well as the lovely needlework in both cushions and kneelers. Over the past few years, St Anne s has also gained a growing reputation for the extent and quality of its sung services growing from one sung service a week with an amateur choir, to seven weekly services with choirs with professional outlook and aspirations. The music department now includes a number of choirs: girls, boys, lay clerks, choral scholars, sopranos and junior girls. In addition to their duties in the cathedral, the choirs have sung on national BBC Television, broadcast on BBC Radio, performed with the Ulster Orchestra and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, and toured France, singing in the south-east of the country and performing in Paris. JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Reporting to: Hours of Work: Salary: Contract: Permanent Full-time Assistant Organist The Master of Choristers Full time, with one day clear of cathedral duties each week. The number of hours worked each week will likely fall between 40 and 50, but the cathedral recognises that, during choir holidays, this number will be very significantly lower. 23,000 to 25,000 depending on experience. Additional fees are payable for extra services (weddings, funerals, etc) Full time permanent, subject to three-month probationary period Job Purpose: To continue with the growth in music as a vital part of the Cathedral s worship and programme of education, the Board of the Cathedral now wish to appoint a musician of high calibre to the post of Assistant Organist. The successful candidate will play a vital role within the music department, assisting the Master of Choristers, playing the organ for the majority of the choral services in the cathedral, assisting with the day-to-day administration of the department, and taking part in the recruitment of choristers.

2 Job Summary: Principal organist for choral services at the cathedral, responsible for training of junior girls and junior boys choir, deputising for the Director of Music as required, assisting with the administration of the Music Department as required. Principal Responsibilities: Musical: Work under the Master of Choristers in providing music for all Cathedral services. Play the organ at statutory and special services as required. (Organ specifications can be found in an appendix). Accompany the Cathedral choirs in services and concerts both in the Cathedral and elsewhere. Accompany rehearsals of the Cathedral choirs, when required. Conduct the Cathedral choirs in the absence of the Master of Choristers. Personal musical preparation and practice, and learning of new repertoire. Take part in the Cathedral s recital series, when established. Assist with education of the choristers, including sight-singing and theory tuition. Maintain high standards in all aspects of the Cathedral s musical activity. Be responsible for the recruitment, training, performance and administration of the junior girls choir. In consultation with the Master of Choristers, the Head of Vocal Tuition and the Dean, explore the possibility of creating a junior boys choir. Be responsible for the teaching and preparation of the Organ Scholar. Take part in the teaching of theory to the choristers Administrative and departmental responsibilities Assist with the administration of the Music Department, as directed by the Master of Choristers. Be responsible for the recruitment of, and provision for, visiting choirs. Create and administer a regular organ recital series. Attend a weekly meeting with the Master of Choristers and Head of Vocal Tuition for forward planning and general discussion of current issues. Select organ music for the regular services of the cathedral, responding creatively to the liturgical context, planning to agreed deadlines, and consulting with others. Voluntaries for Sundays are published on the bi-weekly music lists. Support the Dean s Vicar and Master of Choristers in providing information for and proof-reading orders of service. Assist with the administration of the yearly Music Festival. Assist with the administration of choir tours. In collaboration with the Master of Choristers and PR Officer, prepare Music Department publicity material to a high standard, according to the Cathedral s style guide, and assist with the updating of the cathedral website and social media channels. To work within the safeguarding procedures as set out by the Cathedral s Safeguarding Trust panel, and by the diocesan child protection body.

3 General responsibilities Respond as appropriate to requests from diocesan bodies, parishes and organisations such as the Royal School of Church Music for assistance and advice. Attend the Assistant Cathedral Organists annual residential and one day conferences. Demonstrate a team approach to achieving the musical and educational objectives of the Cathedral. Any other duties, which may be required, appropriate to the individual's skills and the needs of the Cathedral. Any other duties within the general scope of the post. Pre-Employment Screening: Please note that the appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to standard preemployment screening as applicable to this post. Where applicable these will include: Eligibility to work in the UK Identity Qualifications Health Declaration References AccessNI: criminal record check Professional registration

4 Qualifications & Training Experience. Personal Qualities & Attributes Person Specification Essential Demonstrable competence as an organist Demonstrable competence as a choral conductor Demonstrable competence as a choir trainer Experience of working with a cathedral or collegiate, or greater church choir Demonstrable understanding of hymn playing, improvisation and choice of organ music to enhance the liturgy, and ability to respond to sensitively to liturgical direction Knowledge of a broad spectrum of organ & choral repertoire, seeking to actively expand it. Good IT skills A team player, who will be a reliable assistant, and who will have the context of the whole department and cathedral in mind when undertaking work. Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills Understanding and empathy with the values and mission of the Cathedral Church of St Anne s Desirable A degree in music or equivalent* RCO qualification or equivalent* DipCHD or equivalent* Ability to teach music theory to children Experience of music department administration Previous experience as a recitalist Compositional ability Experience of working with children s voices Whilst applicants do not necessarily need to be communicant members of the Anglican Church, they should be sympathetic to the liturgical ethos and mission aims of the Anglican tradition. Highly motivated with energy, enthusiasm and a good sense of humour. Other Ability to work flexible hours in accordance with the needs of the post. A current driving licence valid for use in the UK Access to a form of transport that allows the post-holder to undertake the duties of the role. Driving licence that enables driving of a minibus * It is the applicant s responsibility to provide evidence of equivalency of qualification if presenting a qualification other than one specifically referred to the Person Specification Criteria may be enhanced to aid shortlisting

5 General Information for Applicants & Outline Recruitment Timetable Background Since the appointment in 2012 of the current Master of Choristers, Mr David Stevens, the music department has grown to include a number of choirs: girls, boys, lay clerks, choral scholars, sopranos and junior girls. In addition to their duties in the cathedral, the choirs have sung on national BBC Television, broadcast on BBC Radio, performed with the Ulster Orchestra and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, and toured France, singing in the south-east of the country and performing in Paris. The last four years have seen considerable change, from one sung service a week with an amateur choir, to seven weekly services with choirs with professional outlook and aspirations. The girls choir was the first of the new choirs to be introduced, and has played a key part in increasing the musical life of the cathedral, and, along with the Lay Clerks (both professional and semi-professional musicians) and Choral Scholars, has represented the cathedral nationally, as well as locally. The boys choir is a more recent ensemble, in an earlier stage of development, yet well on the way to being an equally successful ensemble. The junior girls choir is a training choir for the main girls choir, and the cathedral intends to begin a similar ensemble for boys. Each of the choristers receives a weekly singing lesson with the cathedral s Head of Vocal Tuition. With this appointment the Music Department will consist of four musicians; the Master of Choristers, the Assistant Organist, the Head of Vocal Tuition, and the Organ Scholar. There are three full-time Lay Clerks, three weekend Lay Clerks, who sing on Fridays and Sundays, up to six Choral Scholars, who sing on Sundays and either Wednesday or Thursday, and up to four sopranos who sing as and when required. The girls and boys choirs alternate weekends. A typical weekly schedule is as laid out in Appendix A. Proposed Recruitment Timetable Detail Dates Day Advertisements placed By Friday 31 st March Closing Date for Applications 12 noon Wednesday 12 th April Shortlisting Wednesday 12 th April Notify shortlisted Candidates Thursday 13 th April Deadline for candidates to confirm attendance at interview 12 noon Monday 17 th April Candidates should note that they are required to be available over two days for assessment & interview process. If this poses a difficulty, please contact Dave Stevens asap on Assessments & Auditions Monday 24 th April Formal interviews Tuesday 25 th April Notify Successful candidate Friday 28 th April Start Date Monday 4 th September

6 Appendix A A typical weekly schedule looks as follows: Monday 1600 Girls rehearse 1745 Sung Compline Tuesday 1600 Boys (full choristers and probationers) rehearse Junior girls rehearse 1745 Sung Compline (sung by Junior Girls on the last Tuesday of the month) Wednesday 1600 Girls rehearse 1700 Girls, Lay Clerks and Wednesday Choral Scholars rehearse 1730 Choral Evensong 1815 Wednesday Choral Scholars rehearse Thursday 1600 Boys rehearse 1700 Boys, Lay Clerks and Thursday Choral Scholars rehearse 1730 Choral Evensong 1815 Thursday Choral Scholar rehearse Friday 1700 Lay Clerks rehearse 1730 Choral Evensong 1815 Lay Clerks rehearse Saturday No regular duties Sunday 1000 Girls/boys, Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars rehearse 1100 Choral Eucharist 1430 Girls/boys, Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars rehearse 1530 Choral Evensong Services on Monday and Tuesday are currently Sung Compline, but these are likely to become uppervoice services of Choral Evensong during the academic year.

7 Appendix B Organ Specifications Harrison & Harrison, 1907 & 1968 PEDAL ORGAN 1. Double Open Wood Sub Bass Open Wood Violone Bourdon Octave Wood 8 7. Principal 8 8. Flute 8 9. Fifteenth Octave Flute Twenty Second Mixture Bombardon Ophicleide Posaune Schalmei 4 I. Great to Pedal II. Choir to Pedal III. Swell to Pedal IV. Solo to Pedal V. Great and Pedal combinations combined VI. Generals on Swell Toes CHOIR ORGAN 17. Diapason Gedact Principal Nazard 2 2/3 21. Wald Flöte Tierce 1 3/5 23. Larigot 1 1/3 24. Cimbel Cornet Tromba Octave Tromba 4 VII. Solo to Choir VIII. Swell to Choir SOLO ORGAN 28. Quintatön Viole Flute d Amour Flute celeste Gemshorn Flauto Traverso Harmonic Piccolo Cromorne Orchestral Oboe Tremulant 38. Tuba 8 IX. Sub Octave X. Unison off XI. Octave GREAT ORGAN 39. Grosse Geigen Double Claribel Flute Open Diapason I Open Diapason II Geigen Rohr Flöte Stopped Diapason Octave Wald Flöte Twelfth 2 2/3 49. Fifteenth Fourniture Cornet Double Trumpet (prepared for) Trumpet (prepared for) Octave Trumpet (prepared for) 4 XII. Swell to Great XIII. Choir to Great XIV. Solo to Great SWELL ORGAN 55. Lieblich Bourdon Open Diapason Lieblich Gedeckt Echo Gamba Vox Angelica Principal Lieblich Flöte Fifteenth Mixture Sharp Mixture Oboe Tremulant 67. Double Trumpet Trumpet Clarion 4 Wells-Kennedy Box Organ 1. Stopped Diapason 8 2. Rohr Flute 4 3. Fifteenth 2 4. Octave 1