Available from September 2012
The Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral wish to appoint an Organ Scholar for the academic year from September 2012. The scholarship presents an exciting opportunity to post-graduate or exceptional undergraduate candidates who wish to pursue a career as a church musician. The
Organ Scholar will be part of a team of five at St Paul’s and will be expected to play a full part in the musical life of the Cathedral.
The period of the appointment is from the beginning of September 2012 until the end of
August 2013.
There has been a choir of Boy Choristers and Gentlemen at St Paul's Cathedral for over nine centuries. The structure of the present choir, consisting of twenty two singing boys, seven probationers and twelve Vicars Choral, was established in the last century when Sir John
Stainer was the Cathedral Organist. In addition to providing music for the daily liturgical life of the Cathedral, the choir also enjoys a world-wide reputation through its many recordings, broadcasts and tours. The choristers (together with non-chorister day children) attend the
Cathedral School, situated east of the Cathedral on New Change.
The current music staff at the Cathedral is as follows:
Andrew Carwood (Rector Chori)
Simon Johnson
Tim Wakerell
Simon Hogan
Margaret Rates
(Organist & Assistant Director of Music)
(Sub-Organist)
(Organ Scholar – leaving in August 2012)
(PA to the Director of Music)
The Precentor is the member of Chapter directly responsible for the work of the Music
Department.
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History & Background
A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has overlooked the City of London since 604 AD and is the seat of the Bishop of London and a centre for worship and mission. As the Cathedral of the capital city, St Paul’s is often the spiritual focus for the nation holding events of national importance as well as serving as a busy, working church.
This ancient heritage and purpose is enriched by the requirement in today’s society to engage with various constituencies as the Cathedral fulfils its mission. These may be characterised as
(a) the Bishop and Diocese of London,(b) the City of London as one of the world’s business and financial centres (c) the United Kingdom as the Cathedral fulfils a national and state role and (d) the international context as it becomes an increasingly important icon of faith overseas.
For further information on St Paul’s Cathedral please visit www.stpauls.co.uk
.
The original Grand Organ was installed in 1694 at the Cathedral. In 1872, Henry Willis completed an essentially new instrument for the Cathedral. Some 200 pipes of the original
Smith organ were retained; a handful of these remain to the present day. The original Wren case was divided in half, modified, and placed against the pillars supporting the Dome on either side of the Quire, where it remains today. From 1972-77 N.P. Mander Ltd reconstructed the whole of the action, soundboards and console, preserving the pipework surviving from the
Willis instrument of 1872, and the rebuilding work was completed in 1977 in time for Her
Majesty the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. In 2007- 2008 the organ was completely restored by
Mander Organs Ltd, essentially consolidating the work of 1972-77, but also adding replacing the Dome reeds and providing a second, mobile console for use under the dome. Both consoles are identical, each of five manuals and pedal, 147 drawstops and 140 piston controls.
There are two other organs that are used regularly in the Cathedral. The ‘Willis on Wheels’, a mobile organ built by Henry Willis in 1881, is a masterpiece of its time, and there is also
Continuo Organ built in 1997 by Kenneth Tickell, which is used as a chamber instrument. A new and comprehensive two-manual organ by William Drake is to be installed in St Faith’s
Chapel in August 2011. There is a also a two manual and pedal practice organ by Robin
Jennings available for regular use by the Organ Scholar in the Choir Practice Room.
The present pattern of regular choral worship at St Paul’s encompasses Mattins, Eucharist, and
Evensong on Sunday, together with Evensong on every weekday. The Christian year provides the framework for additional liturgical activities in which the choir and the organists plays an essential part, together with a wide range of national and city services and events on a regular and an occasional basis.
In addition to the music for services, the Music Department runs a year-long programme of concerts and organ recitals. These include a series of celebrity organ recitals through the summer months, a regular weekend organ recital, informal lunchtime concerts (on weekdays) given by unaccompanied choirs, a series of meditations in Holy Week and performances (with orchestra) of Handel’s Messiah in Advent and a Bach Passion before Easter.
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Training & Work Experience
 The role of Organ Scholar provides an opportunity to work alongside leading musicians in a high profile Cathedral Music Department.
 He/she is expected to continue the development of his/her musical expertise. There will be regular opportunities to practise on the cathedral organ: there is also a two manual and pedal tracker practice organ in the Choir Practice Room.
 Through observation and discussions with colleagues he/she will receive advice and support in choir training and conducting, liturgical accompaniment, solo playing and improvisation.
 He/she will have the opportunity to conduct in the Cathedral which includes working with the fully professional ensemble of Vicars Choral as well as the Choristers and the professional mixed voice Cathedral Consort.
 He/she will become familiar with the musical and liturgical life of a great Cathedral, together with the daily routines of the musical function within that life and will have the opportunity to assist with the planning for major liturgies and special services
 He/she will develop team working and pastoral skills through interaction with colleagues within the Music Department and the Cathedral, and with adult and child choristers.
Duties
The Organ Scholar will be expected to undertake the following duties:
 accompanying the Cathedral Choir at Evensong at least twice a week;
 playing for some “non-choral” services - including the 6 pm services on a Sunday;
 providing 25 minutes of music before Sunday Evensong, or before the morning services, as a prelude to the liturgies;
 providing voluntaries after some services as required;
 perform once a term in the weekend organ recital series;
 playing for visiting choirs on weekdays and on some Sundays when the Cathedral Choir is on holiday (in rotation with the other organists);
 greeting visiting organists and assisting them when required (also by rotation);
 assisting the other Cathedral organists at the console for services as necessary;
 assisting in the training of probationary and other choristers;
 sharing in the administrative workload of the Music Department, including typesetting of manuscripts, assisting with the administration for visiting choirs, and attendance at the weekly organists’ meeting.
The typical working hours for the above duties are 12-14 per week. However, the Organ
Scholar may - and indeed is encouraged to - spend additional time in the Cathedral pursuing his/her own interests and taking advantage of the opportunities for organists (including continuo work) that exist in London.
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Additional Opportunities
Additional work opportunities, which are separately remunerated, are as follows:
 acting as Assistant Choir Librarian (approximately 3 hours a week during term time - paid at £2,500 per annum);
 teaching theory and giving organ lessons to some of the pupils in the Cathedral School
 playing for Cathedral School assemblies (two or three times a week during term time);
 playing in short choral recitals for the Cathedral Foundation or for the Marketing
Department which take place in the evenings about once a month;
 playing at special services from time to time (set fees apply depending on the type of service);
 Accompanying the St Paul’s Cathedral Chorus in rehearsals (in rotation with the Sub-
Organist)
Responsibilities
The Organ Scholar is responsible for:
 his/her own musical development;
 taking full advantage of the opportunities offered by this placement;
 taking a share in the administration of the music department;
 familiarity and compliance with all Cathedral policies but in particular the Cathedral’s
Health & Safety Policy and the Cathedral’s Child Protection Policy.
Terms & Conditions
 The Organ Scholar’s Head of Department is the Director of Music, although some of his/her work will be directed and overseen by the Organist and/or the Sub-Organist.
 The Scholarship is currently worth £5,000 per annum, payable monthly through the payroll (subject to tax and NI), and is tenable on an academic yearly basis, and is offered on the basis of a fixed term contract of one year.
 The role of Assistant Choir Librarian, if undertaken, carries a salary of £2,500 per annum.
 Music theory teaching, if required, is paid by the hour at the Cathedral School’s rate for peripatetic music teachers.
 Additional fees may be earned from playing for special services and events.
 The Chapter undertake to assist with the cost of organ lessons up to the value of £400.
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 There is also a book/music grant of £400.
 Any appointment will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records
Bureau.
 The post carries Life Assurance cover.
 The Chapter’s provisions for sick pay, holiday pay, discipline and grievance apply.
 St Paul’s Cathedral is a non-smoking workplace.
All payments, with the exception of the organ lessons grant and the book/music grant, are subject to tax and NI.
Method of Application
A completed application form and full CV, with covering letter, should be sent to:
The Music Department, 5b Amen Court, London EC4M 7BU. Closing date: 30 May 2012.
Method of Application
To apply for this post, please send your application to the address below. The application should consist of –
(a) a completed application form
(b) a letter of application
(c) your CV
(d) three recent organ recital programmes
(e) names and contact details of two referees.
Head of Human Resources
St Paul’s Cathedral
The Chapter House
St Paul’s Churchyard
London
EC4M 8AD
Enquiries: Mrs Ruth Moore, Head of Human Resources, telephone 020 7246 8351, e-mail ruth@stpaulscathedral.org.uk
The closing date for receipt of applications is 8 June 2012 at 11 am.
Short-listed candidates will be notified by 9 June. Interviews/auditions will take place on Friday
15 June 2012.
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