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Organist & Director of Music

Vacancy Reference cofe/TP/66917/4781

The job has expired.

Number of Positions:
1
Contract Type:
Employee
Salary/Stipend:
Salary is £4,000 per year plus bonuses for weddings and funerals
Location:
RH3 7DN
Closing Date:
30/09/2022
Vacancy Category:
Organist
Business Unit:
Diocese of Southwark
Organizational Unit:
Other Requirements

Introduction

The joint Benefice of St Michael Betchworth and St Mary the Virgin, Buckland Surrey are seeking a Director of Music to play the organ during Sunday morning Eucharists, which currently alternate weekly between the two churches, and a monthly evensong, and train and develop the choir in their liberal catholic tradition.

 

We are keen to expand the range of traditional and contemporary music and seek someone who will nurture that ambition. We have an excellent Tickell organ (2014), and Buckland has a 1912 Norman and Beard which is due to be fully refurbished in early 2023,

 

Main Responsibilities

Worship in church

Play the organ at the 10am Parish Communion Service, Choral Evensong and other services on Holy Days as agreed throughout the year (see current schedule of special services).

Work with the incumbent (or his / her appointed representative) on the choice of hymns for these services and produce monthly music list.

Responsible for choosing, rehearsing, and presenting items to be sung by the choir at all choir-led services, and for all music played on the organ.

Play the organ and direct the choir for all weddings and funerals in the church where such musical accompaniment is requested (agreed additional fee to be paid)

Secure replacement organist for their 6-week holiday period and for any other absences.

 

The Choir

Lead weekly practices of the full choir (except during time of holiday)

Build up a Junior Choir, and take a dedicated Junior Choir practice

Enable the development of choir members through the RSCM Voice for Life scheme

Direct the choir in matters of choir etiquette, e.g., organise processions, punctuality

Nurture choir members and report any pastoral concerns to the incumbent (or the churchwardens in the case of a vacancy) at a regular meeting

 

Safeguarding

Follow the safeguarding policy “A Safe Church” and complete CofE training course

 

Occasional Offices 

Meet with couples wishing to marry at St Michael’s and St Mary’s and discuss and agree on music for the service.

Liaise with the presiding minister where music is required for a funeral in church.

 

 

Management of Resources

Oversee care and maintenance of the organs, and liaise with nominated contractors 

Facilitate a catalogued archive of music.

Organise the purchase of robes and replacement of damaged books and purchase of additional music within an annual budget

Encourage the use of both organs outside Sunday services  e.g., for concerts and organ pupils.

 

Current Schedule of Special Services:

 

  • Advent Carol Service (Evening)
  • Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (Two Evenings)
  • Midnight Mass (Evening)
  • Christmas Day (10am)
  • Ash Wednesday (Evening)
  • Maundy Thursday (Evening)
  • Good Friday
  • Ascension Day (Evening)

The Ideal Candidate

 

Essential

Desirable

Qualifications

  • Good standard of musical knowledge
  • CRCO, ARCO, FRCO or equivalent

Experience

  • Successful experience of Choral Directing.
  • Previous experience as church organist / assistant organist
  • Teaching experience
  • Experience of training young choristers.

 

 

Safeguarding

 

 

 

 

  • DBS

C1 Foundation module of C of E Safeguarding course (this can be taken online on appointment)

 

Personal Qualities

 

 

  • Able to support the Christian ethos of St Michael’s and St Mary’s 
  • Good communication and listening skills especially with the Rector and wardens
  • Commitment to achieving and maintaining high standards of music and behaviour
  • Strength of character and sense of humour 
  • Ability to engage with and encourage choir members

 

  • Strong sense of Christian commitment and discipleship 
  • Ability to work flexibly in a changing context
  • Good time management and ability to meet deadlines

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knowledge Skills and Abilities Cont’d

  • Knowledge of a range of church music and liturgy 
  • Commitment to recruiting and retaining choir members
  • Ability to provide leadership, direction and inspiration to choir and congregation.
  • Ability to manage people and to develop their talent and potential. 

 

 

  • Ability to collaborate and work empathetically with other church groups
  • Vision for the place of music in the growth and mission of the church
  • Knowledge of the RSCM Voice for Life Scheme.
  • Vision of how the musical life of the church can be developed by maintaining tradition whilst introducing contemporary styles
  • Well-developed administrative, organisational skills

About us

Salary is £4,000 per year plus bonuses for weddings and funerals

Closing date is 30/9/2022 but we may appoint before then if the right candidate comes along.

Attached documents: