Director of Chapel Music

Director of Chapel Music General Winchester College is a boys boarding school of 700 pupils. It was founded in 1382, and is one of the world s oldest and most prestigious schools. It is distinctive in its combination of intellectual tone, promotion of high culture and civilised pastoral care. The school s examination results are excellent. We offer a distinctive and rigorous curriculum, which is complemented by a very wide range of sport, music, art, drama and other co-curricular activities. Winchester is embarking on an exciting new stage in its development. Dr Tim Hands arrived as Headmaster in September 2016, and the school has ambitious plans to build on its considerable existing strengths and further develop its position as a world-class learning community where the life of the mind is a priority and a life-long love of learning and beauty is fostered. Music at Winchester Music has been central to life at Winchester ever since its foundation in 1382 when William of Wykeham made provision for 16 choirboys, Quiristers, who still provide the treble line for the Chapel Choir. Past organists and Masters of Music include Thomas Weelkes, Jeremiah Clarke, Samuel Sebastian Wesley, and Sir George Dyson. The school is unique in having maintained its Choral Foundation to the present day, and the Music Department is now one of the leading departments in the country, offering outstanding opportunities to musical boys. Music is an important activity in the lives of most Wykehamists: two thirds of the boys learn an instrument, while many learn two or three. There are over seven hundred individual instrumental lessons given each week by a visiting staff of over fifty specialist teachers as well as six highly experienced full-time staff. Boys can study music at IGCSE and Pre-U, and many go on to read music at university. A large number of boys take music examinations with the Associated Board or with Trinity College: these include a significant number of diplomas each year. Concerts take place every week, and all boys are given the opportunity to perform, whether in an informal concert, House choir or Glee Club (the school s Choral Society), or as part of one of the elite ensembles. There are two senior orchestras, a Wind Orchestra, a junior string orchestra, a Baroque ensemble, string quartets, jazz groups, rock groups, woodwind ensembles, brass ensembles, five choirs, numerous smaller ensembles, and a regular programme of chamber music, as well as informal concerts that enable every boy to perform. The Music School, which is located centrally within the school campus, offers excellent facilities for music-making, with a large rehearsal and concert hall, fifty teaching and practice rooms, a fullyequipped music technology classroom, recording studio, editing suite, percussion studio and rock room. New Hall, which was extensively refurbished in 2014, provides an outstanding performance space, with seating for 400, excellent back stage facilities and first-rate acoustics, while the College Chapel provides an inspirational venue for choral and instrumental music. The school offers music scholarships and exhibitions to boys who show musical promise and who are keen to contribute to the musical life of the school. There are currently over sixty Music Scholars and Music Exhibitioners in the school. Ex-cathedral and collegiate choristers are particularly welcome, and many number amongst existing music award holders. 1

Another important aspect of music at Winchester is our work with the local community. This includes membership of the Hampshire Music Service Hub, concerts for primary schools, joint concerts with local choirs, chamber music workshops with sixth form colleges and members of Hampshire Music Service ensembles, and public access to all our concerts, the vast majority of which are free. The department also runs a local music and dementia programme. Boys are usually able to participate in masterclasses, workshops and concerts given each year by visiting artists. Recent visitors have included the Škampa Quartet, Adrian Brendel, Felix Andrievsky, the Heath Quartet, the Schubert Ensemble, the Marian Consort, Gabrieli Consort, James Gilchrist, Leif Ove Andsnes and The King s Singers. Next year s visitors will include Mitsuko Uchida. The department is fortunate to enjoy support from the Headmaster and senior management team, several of whom are musicians, and include amongst their number the previous Master of Music, himself a former Quirister. Chapel Choir The school has maintained its mediaeval choral foundation for more than 600 years and today the Chapel lies at the heart of the school, with a flourishing choral tradition, noted for its excellence and diversity. The treble line is provided by the Quiristers, who are educated at The Pilgrims School, while the lower parts in the Choir are sung by senior boys, many of whom have themselves been Quiristers, or choristers at cathedrals and other choral foundations. A small number of Dons and other adults also sing with the choir. Chapel Choir usually sings three services a week in the College Chapel: Evensong on Tuesday, Eucharist on Thursday, and either Eucharist or Mattins on Sundays. Occasional services include an annual Requiem Mass on All Souls Day, an Ash Wednesday service, and an annual Carol Service in Winchester Cathedral. Chapel Choir sings regularly on the BBC Radio 3 Choral Evensong programme and for the last three years has recorded a Christmas service for Classic FM. Notable recent concerts have included John Rutter s 70th birthday concert in London, and Bach s St. John Passion at St. John s, Smith Square with the Academy of Ancient Music. The Quiristers also sing as a boys choir in their own right and give regular concerts for local charities as well as broadcasts for radio and television. These have included Britten s A Ceremony of Carols and Daily Service, both for BBC Radio 4. Chapel Choir tours internationally and in recent years has visited Germany, Russia, Italy, Holland, France and the USA. The choir s commercial recordings have received enthusiastic critical acclaim, most recently a recording of Mozart s Requiem with the London Mozart Players. Over the past few years, Quiristers have regularly won places in the final of the BBC Young Chorister of the Year competition and have won that competition on four occasions. Our Chapel Choir boys regularly gain choral awards at both Cambridge and Oxford, and recently boys have won organ scholarships at Oxbridge Colleges, notably King s, Cambridge and New College, Oxford. The Chapel Organ is due for replacement within the next few years, and there are several other organs around the school available for practice. 2

The Role The Director of Chapel Music is a full-time member of the Music Department, and will be expected to play a full part in the life of the school as a whole. She/he is responsible to the Master of Music who has overall responsibility for music in the College. The Headmaster is the Ordinary of the Chapel. The Director of Chapel Music is also expected to liaise closely with the Second Master, Bursar and Chaplains as well as senior colleagues at The Pilgrims School including the Headmaster, Director of Music and the Quirister Housemaster. The Assistant Director of Chapel Music usually plays the organ for most services, takes some rehearsals, and is available to deputise on occasions. He is also the Chapel Choir librarian. The responsibilities of the role are wide-ranging, and the list below is not intended to be exhaustive. Chapel Choir and the Quiristers Chapel Choir plays a central role in the life of the school. It is a flagship ensemble for the music department, but also forms a strong link with the school s history and the Founder. It is important that it continues to achieve the highest possible standards whilst operating within the context of the school as a whole. Responsibilities will include: Directing the Chapel Choir for all rehearsals, services, concerts, broadcasts, recordings and tours, unless otherwise agreed with the Master of Music. Selecting appropriate repertoire for Chapel Choir and the Quiristers, and preparing the weekly Chapel music list. Auditioning and selecting Quiristers, in conjunction with the Headmaster of The Pilgrims School, and taking a leading role in the recruitment of Quiristers. Auditioning and selecting senior boy members of Chapel Choir, and engaging other singers as required. Liaising closely with the Quirister Housemaster regarding the pastoral care of the Quiristers. Liaising with Quirister parents as required. Assisting Quiristers preparing for senior schools, and supervising some Quirister instrumental practices each week. The Director of Chapel Music will be encouraged to seek out additional opportunities for the choir, such as tours, concerts or services outside school, broadcasts and recordings, of which the school has extensive previous experience. Teaching The successful candidate should expect to play a part in the music teaching programme at the College, according to skills and preference. This might involve any or all of the following: Teaching a small timetable of class music (IGCSE and/or Pre-U). Sharing in the teaching of keyboard skills, theory, aural, composition, or preparation for Oxbridge and diploma examinations, in conjunction with other members of the department. Teaching individual lessons on organ, piano or singing, according to preference. 3

Other musical activities The Music Department has an extensive programme of concerts and other events, and all members of staff contribute to this. Responsibilities may include: Organising the annual House Singing Competition. Taking weekly Hymn Practice in Chapel. Accompanying boys for practice hours, at concerts and for examinations (shared with other members of the department); Assisting with rehearsals and concerts for the Glee Club (Choral Society). Directing other vocal or instrumental groups within the department, according to expertise. Assisting with the general organisation of concerts. With the approval of the Master of Music and the Headmaster, there may be opportunities to pursue musical activities outside the school. Administration Ensuring the efficient administration of the choir, liaising with all parties as required. Managing the Chapel Choir budget. Overseeing the Chapel Choir library and robes. If an organist, taking responsibility for the maintenance of the College organs, and advising the Bursar on their repair or replacement. Advising and mentoring potential Oxbridge organ and choral scholars, and writing UCAS references for them when required. Organising Chapel Choir tours and recordings, as agreed with the Master of Music, Second Master and Bursar. Although term times are busy, the timetable for this post will allow for sufficient time for regular personal development. Applicants should be aware that some duties will fall outside of term time with attendance with the Quiristers at outside events and functions although these will be (where possible) communicated well in advance. All our full-time teachers are expected to act as tutors in one of the eleven boarding houses, thereby making a significant contribution to the pastoral care of our pupils. Person Specification The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the majority of the following skills, experience or attributes: an inspirational choir-trainer, with experience of training boys voices to the highest standards. It is likely that the successful candidate will have worked in a Cathedral or Collegiate environment. a competent pianist, with excellent sight-reading skills. There is no requirement to be an organist. a good singer, or an ability to empathise with singers. extensive knowledge of Anglican liturgy, and of a wide range of sacred music of all periods. a good Honours degree in Music from a reputable university or conservatoire. teaching experience. high levels of literacy and IT skills, with good attention to detail. a good team-player, willing to collaborate with other musicians within and outside the school, and keen to help out where necessary in a busy department. the ability to manage and organise time effectively to meet the demands of the school week. reliability, honesty, and a professional attitude to all aspects of their work. a genuine concern for the well-being and education (especially musical education) of the pupils. 4

a willingness to participate in and contribute to the life of a busy boarding school. Terms of Service Start Date January 2019 (or later by mutual agreement) Salary Will be dependent on experience. This will be paid monthly in arrears to a nominated bank account. Accommodation The successful applicant will be required for the better or proper performance of his/her duties to occupy and reside, as licensee and not as tenant, in accommodation provided by the College. The occupation of such premises is in accordance with the College s Terms of Service Occupancy. A full Inland Revenue exemption, including Council Tax, is currently in force. A modest charge is made as a contribution towards the maintenance costs. Private Health Care and Pension The successful applicant will be required to be a member of the College Corporate Health Scheme in accordance with the current rules of the Scheme. Membership of the Scheme does not extend to your family. This is a taxable benefit in kind. Under new regulations, all academic members of staff will be included in the Government Teachers Pension Scheme, unless a valid opt out form is completed. Particulars of the scheme will be provided by the Teachers Pension Scheme. The College will not contribute to any scheme other than the approved teachers scheme. Probation, Notice Periods The first twenty four months of employment will be a probationary period. During the probationary period, the notice required by either party to terminate employment will be four weeks. If employment is confirmed, the notice period will increase to one full term. The post will be for five years in the first instance, renewable by mutual agreement. Disclosure Check As Winchester College is an educational establishment, a condition of employment will be that the successful candidate must consent to the College obtaining an Enhanced Level Disclosure check through the Disclosure and Barring Service. This will reveal all and unspent convictions, warnings, cautions and bind-overs. A policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on the College s Portal. The jobholder s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the don becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, they must report any concerns to the school s Designated Safeguarding Lead or in his/her absence the Assistant Designated Safeguarding Lead. References and Other Pre-employment Checks The appointment will be dependent on the receipt of a successful medical check and satisfactory references. The College will usually seek references from short listed candidates before interview and may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications. At 5

least one referee must be the current or most recent employer. Where applicants are not currently working with children but have done so in the past, one referee must be the person by whom they were most recently employed when working with children. Applications All applications should be made via the school website: http://www.winchestercollege.org/employment-opportunities attaching a full CV and letter of application. The closing date for applications is Friday 1 June. It is anticipated that interviews will take place during the week commencing 11 June. The Master of Music, David Thomas, is happy to advise informally in advance of any application. He can be contacted on 01962 621124 or dst@wincoll.ac.uk 6