St. Peter s, Bournemouth Assistant Director of Music Job Description
The Parish and Civic Church of St. Peter, Bournemouth Job Description Assistant Director of Music Job summary The Assistant Director of Music (ADoM) will report to the Director of Music (DoM). The ADoM will play the organ at most services, assist with choir training, and assist the DoM in the administration of the busy music department. The balance of organ-playing and choir-training/conducting can be determined by agreement with the DoM. Salary The salary for the post is 4500 per annum, reviewed annually in line with other church salaries. In addition, the ADoM can expect a substantial share of fees for weddings and funerals, as agreed with the DoM. The current minimum fee for weddings is 150, and 100 for funerals. There may also be opportunities to earn occasional fees from accompanimental and solo playing in recitals, carol services and other special events. The ADoM may use the organ and pianos for teaching and recording, when available. The post-holder is responsible for their own accommodation costs. Church profile St. Peter's was built between 1845 and 1879 as the first church in Bournemouth. It was designed by G.E. Street, and is a Grade 1 listed building. At 202 feet high, the spire is a landmark in the town centre and beyond. The church has had an enviable reputation for music in the past, including a period where evensong was sung daily by choristers who were schooled next to the church building and boarded in the Choir House. A number of past organists have subsequently held cathedral posts, including Ben Lamb (2003-2007) now Director of Music at Lichfield Cathedral. The church is located in the heart of the town centre, and there is staff parking available. The organ is a 3-manual 52-stop instrument by Harrison and Harrison, built in 1914, and most recently overhauled in 1976. There is a capital fund-raising project in progress which aims to pay for (amongst other major work) a complete overhaul of the instrument by Harrisons in the next five years. There is also a Steinway concert grand piano in the church, and a recent Kawai baby grand piano in the large and purpose-built song room. The main services are the Sung Eucharist at 10am on Sundays, followed by Choral Evensong at 4pm. There is a less-formal service on the first Sunday of each month, 'Good News @ 10', where music is required, normally accompanied by piano or organ. There are sung services on the major festivals including a dawn Eucharist on Ascension Day and a Requiem Eucharist for All Souls. The boys' and girls' choirs, together with the adult ATB line, sing alternate weeks, with breaks at half-term, between terms, and during August. The St. Peter's Singers, a mixed adult choir, usually sing during these weeks.
There is a lively lunchtime recital series on Wednesdays between Easter and Christmas, which the ADoM is welcome to be fully involved in, as well as evening concerts, art exhibitions, civic, university and school services, and other occasions. The church is often used for special services by organisations (most recently the Royal College of Nursing) when they hold annual events in the Bournemouth International Centre. Current staff Sam Hanson (Director of Music, leaving in August 2015 and to be replaced by Duncan Courts) Duncan Courts (Assistant Director of Music, becoming DoM in August 2015) Rob Hardyman (Organ scholar, leaving in August 2015 for university) Caren Courts (Singing tutor and probationers' coach) Duties and responsibilities 1. Organ Playing The ADoM will be a competent and experienced liturgical organist, and will accompany the choirs at most services, as well as playing for a share of non-choral services during choir holidays. There is flexibility to allow the ADoM and DoM to swap conducting and playing responsibilities by mutual agreement. 2. Choir Training The ADoM will assist with training and conducting the boys', girls' and adults' choirs, as required by the DoM. The St. Peter's Singers has traditionally been directed by the ADoM, but this can be varied by agreement. 3. Administrative Tasks The ADoM will assist the DoM and choir assistants in the smooth running of the department, including music library, robing, organisation of visiting choirs, production of printed materials, and similar tasks. 4. Additional Duties The ADoM will assist others in running the lunchtime recital series, including meeting visiting musicians and acting as front-of-house for some recitals (as required). The ADoM is also encouraged to be involved in choir trips (annual summer trip at the end of July, junior and senior choristers' days in September and February, RSCM and local area festivals, and so on).
Applications To discuss the post, please contact the Rector, Dr. Ian Terry, by email at ian.terry@stpetersbournemouth.org.uk to arrange an appointment for a phone conversation. Applications should be sent to the email address above, including your current CV together with the details of two referees, one of which must be a member of the clergy. Please also include a covering letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role. The closing date for applications is Wednesday 1st July 2015. Auditions and interviews will follow shortly after. St. Peter's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff to share this commitment. DBS checks will be required. In addition, all church employees are subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Parish Employee Handbook, and a copy will be sent to all interview candidates.
Person Specification Attribute Essential Desirable General Knowledge of the Church of England s teachings, musical traditions and practices. Communicant member of the Church of England. Qualifications and training Experience Knowledge, skills and abilities Personal qualities Other ABRSM Grade 8 Organ (or equivalent) Experience as a liturgical organist. Clear understanding of Safeguarding issues and policies and a commitment to them. Proficiency as an organist and liturgical accompanist. Demonstrable knowledge of the English choral tradition. Able to motivate and inspire, and to set an example of high standards. Good communication and interpersonal skills. Demonstrable IT skills. Enthusiastic, motivated and goodhumoured. Able to work effectively within a team. A sense of how the English Choral Tradition is relevant to the present day, and how it can contribute to the church's ministry and mission. Sensitive to the educational and emotional needs of children. DBS Enhanced level disclosure ARCO (or equivalent) Experience of liturgical choir training and conducting. Experience of working with children's voices. Able to improvise in appropriate styles. Demonstrable knowledge of liturgical principles and practice. Skills in composing or arranging. Experience of desktop publishing software.
St. Peter's Church, Hinton Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 2EE ian.terry@stpetersbournemouth.org.uk 01202 290986