VACANCY FOR A TENOR VICAR CHORAL
(from September 2015, or sooner by arrangement)
The Chapter of Wells Cathedral wishes to appoint an experienced singer as a Tenor Vicar Choral
from September 2015, or sooner, by negotiation. Please note that applications for this position must
be received no later than 12 noon on Wednesday 11 February 2015.
BACKGROUND
Wells Cathedral Choir was hailed in 2011 by an international jury from Gramophone Magazine as
the greatest choir with children in the world, and the sixth greatest overall. The choir celebrated its
1100th birthday in 2009: boys first sang at Wells Cathedral in 909 and the full choral tradition dates
back over 800 years. In 1994 the choral foundation at Wells was enriched by the addition of girl
choristers. Today the choir consists of 18 boy choristers, 18 girl choristers and 12 Vicars Choral (the
men of the choir). The boys and girls usually sing separately with the Vicars Choral but occasionally
come together for larger events and tours.
The choir is at the heart of the worshipping life of the Cathedral, and sings a wide repertoire of
music ranging from the Renaissance period to the present day. It sings throughout the cathedral’s
festival, launched in June 2008: new music wells, giving a number of premiers as well as featuring
music from the previous forty years. It has premiered works from some of today’s finest composers,
including Judith Bingham, Geoffrey Burgon, Bob Chilcott, Jonathan Dove, Gabriel Jackson, John
Joubert, James MacMillan CBE, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies CH CBE (former Master of the Queen’s
Music), Tarik O’Regan, John Rutter, Howard Skempton, and Sir John Tavener.
Wells Cathedral Choir broadcasts regularly on BBC Radio 3 and its innovative recordings over the
last ten years for Hyperion Records and Regent Records have won international praise: “wonderfully
blended, and must rank as one of the top cathedral sounds outside London” (BBC Music Magazine);
“currently enjoying a superb top line” (The Observer), and has had two discs made Editor’s Choice in
Gramophone Magazine which called the choir “probably the finest English cathedral choir at the
moment” in “world-class form”.
As well as the liturgical musical repertoire the choir performs larger scale choral works in concert,
with recent collaborations including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Britten War Requiem),
Jools Holland and his band (Jools Holland Mass), Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society (Britten St Nicolas
and War Requiem), Aled Jones, Dame Felicity Lott, Dame Emma Kirkby, James Bowman CBE, and
Wells Cathedral School Chamber Orchestra (at a royal gala concerts at the Royal Opera House,
Covent Garden, and St James’s Palace, London). In September 2014 the choristers sang with the
Berlin Radio Choir and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle OM, in
a performance of Bach’s St Matthew Passion at the BBC Proms. Shortly afterwards they sang with
The Script on the ITV Pride of Britain awards, which was screened to an audience of five million
viewers.
The choir has toured extensively with tours to Paris (2006), the North West of England (2008),
Germany (2009), The Netherlands (2010), Scotland (2011), and Hong Kong and Beijing (2012).
The choir sings under the direction of Matthew Owens who has been Organist & Master of the
Choristers since January 2005, having previously been Organist and Master of the Music at St Mary’s
Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh (from 1999-2004) and Conductor of The Exon Singers (1996-2011).
He is also Conductor of the Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society, and was President of the Cathedral
Organists’ Association (2010-13).
He studied at Chetham’s School of Music, The Queen’s College, Oxford, the Royal Northern
College of Music, and the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam. From 1994-99, he was Tutor in
Organ Studies at the RNCM and Chetham’s and worked for BBC Religious Broadcasting.
As a conductor he has premiered many works by leading composers including James MacMillan, Sir
Peter Maxwell Davies, Arvo Pärt, and John Joubert. He is active as a composer himself, with works
published by Oxford University Press and Novello.
The choir is accompanied by the Assistant Organist, Jonathan Vaughn, who was appointed in
September 2007. Previously he was Organ Scholar at St George’s Chapel, Windsor and St John’s
College, Cambridge (under both Christopher Robinson and David Hill) and Assistant Organist at St
Edmundsbury Cathedral, Suffolk.
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. Vicars Choral are appointed at the discretion of The Chapter.
2. The Vicar Choral Salary is currently £5,162.00 and is reviewed annually. In addition to this,
there is the opportunity to earn approaching £1,000 each year in broadcast, recording, and
concert fees.
3. Accommodation in Vicars’ Close is provided for all Vicars Choral and is free of rent. Water
rates, utility bills, and Council Tax are payable.
4. The Vicar Choral is expected to sing, under the direction of the Organists and under the
supervision of the Precentor, in the following services: Evensong on four weekdays, Saturday,
and Sung Eucharist, Matins and Evensong on Sundays. Also the Advent Carol Service, the
Cathedral Carol Service, Sung Eucharist at Christmas Eve Midnight and Sung Eucharist on
Christmas Day and Matins, Sung Eucharist on St Andrew’s Day, Ascension Day and the
Dedication Festival; Evensong at Candlemas, and the Commemoration of Bishop Bekynton, the
Eucharist and Evensong on Palm Sunday, two Evensong services during Holy Week (on the
Monday or Tuesday and Wednesday), Evening Eucharist on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday
services (Matins at 10.00am and the final hour of 3 hour devotion, normally 2.00 – 3.00pm), the
Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, the services on Easter Day, and not more than six other services
during the year, of which one is the Diocesan Choral Festival and two are Ordination Services.
Attendance is also required at all rehearsals prescribed for these services.
5. Holiday entitlement – the Vicar Choral will be entitled to no fewer than 15 weeks holiday in the
year and more as otherwise provided by the Chapter. Working time will include the terms of
the academic year and holidays will generally, although not exclusively, coincide with the
holidays of Wells Cathedral School. The first Saturday in the month is normally a day off (if it
does not follow a holiday). If such a Saturday needs to be worked another Saturday will be given
off in lieu.
6. The Vicar Choral shall be entitled to receive fees for radio and television broadcasts, recordings
and concerts. The choir gives regular concerts in the Diocese and Cathedral. The choir also
makes regular international tours and has recently been to Northern Europe and the Far East.
7. Applicants for the post are expected to be in sympathy with the Church of England. It is
expected that all Vicars Choral will wish to receive communion in the Cathedral. However,
those who fall outside these categories but are interested in applying for a position are most
welcome to do so and are invited to discuss the matter further with the Precentor.
8. Applications should be made, in writing, to the Organist and Master of the Choristers, Mr
Matthew Owens, Wells Cathedral Music Office, Chain Gate, Cathedral Green, Wells, BA5 2UE.
Applications may also be sent to the following email address: musicoffice@wellscathedral.uk.net.
Candidates should write a letter of application and provide a Curriculum Vitae together with the
names, addresses, email contacts and telephone numbers of three persons who are prepared to
give written support to the application should be enclosed. One should be a priest; the other
two should be able to speak of your recent musical experience and ability.
9. The closing date for applications, which should be received by 12 noon, is Wednesday 11
February 2015. Interviews and auditions will take place in March.
Details correct as at 2015-01-19