The Chapter of Winchester invites applications for the post of Bass Lay Clerk to join Winchester Cathedral Choir in September 2016. They will be involved in the daily sung liturgy at the Cathedral, as well as concerts and recordings. At least three years’ choral experience and advanced sight-reading skills required.
Closing date : Friday 6 May Interview and audition date : Wednesday 18 May Application form and information pack from: Choirs Administrator – Tel 01962 857219 The Cathedral Office, 9 The Close, Winchester SO23 9LS Email: [email protected] or see www.winchester-cathedral.org,uk
Winchester Cathedral is committed to equal opportunities and safeguarding
LAY CLERKSHIP
JOB DESCRIPTION
Background
The Choral Foundation of Winchester Cathedral enjoys an international reputation for musical excellence. Its primary role is to provide the music for the statutory Cathedral services and is headed up by the following:
Canon Precentor: Susan Wallace Organist and Director of Music: Andrew Lumsden Assistant Director of Music: George Castle
The Foundation also includes 22 boy choristers who attend the Pilgrims’ School, within the Close, 20 Girl choristers aged between 12 and 17 who are drawn from local schools, and 12 Lay Clerks. Between them, they sing eight services a week, with the boy choristers singing six, the girl choristers alternating between Sunday Mattins and Sunday Evensong, and the Lay Clerks singing all eight.
Services
The normal weekly pattern of statutory choral services is as follows:
Sunday 9.15 am Rehearsal 9.45 am Mattins 11.00 am Eucharist (on some Sundays, there is only one sung service in the morning) 3.00 pm Rehearsal 3.30 pm Evensong
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 5.00 pm Rehearsal 5.30 pm Evensong (Men’s voices on Mondays)
Friday 5.00 pm Rehearsal 5.30 pm Evensong 6.15 pm Rehearsal until 7.00 pm
Saturday 4.45 pm Rehearsal 5.30 pm Evensong
Wednesday is normally the “plain” day, but there are occasions when the Choir is expected to attend (e.g. Ash Wednesday) in which case one other day of the week becomes the “plain” day.
Additional rehearsals may be called by the Director of Music from time to time when required. On these occasions, as much notice as possible will be given.
Obligatory Attendances
Attendance at the following statutory services is both statutory and obligatory
Advent Carol Service (plus rehearsal on the previous evening) All three Christmas carol services Christmas Eve Evensong and Christmas Day (Mattins, Eucharist and Evensong) Maundy Thursday Eucharist (evening) Good Friday (second half of the Three Hour Service) Easter Eve vigil service Easter Day (Mattins, Eucharist and Evensong) Feast of the Foundation (in mid July)
Additionally, there is a requirement to attend three lay clerk meetings per year, also attended by the Canon Precentor and the Director of Music. These will be held on the first Monday in October, the first Tuesday in February and the first Monday after the summer half-term break, immediately after Evensong. They will usually be held in the Conference Room, The Cathedral Office, 9 The Close.
It is expected that the Lay Clerks will sing at the Southern Cathedrals Festival. Any request to be absent for this must be discussed in advance with the Director of Music and the Canon Precentor.
One Cathedral funded recording project per year is included as a statutory attendance. This recording will, wherever possible, take place in January or February.
One fundraising concert will also be included as a statutory attendance and the allocated event will be decided annually by the Director of Music in consultation with the Chapter.
In addition, there are opportunities to earn fees for concerts (including the Southern Cathedrals Festival), broadcasts, weddings and memorial services.
Attendance
Lay clerks are expected to be present for 80% of services annually (from September – July). A standard Sunday morning and each evensong will be defined as a single attendance.
Absences for other professional engagements
Four absences to cover alternative professional engagements will be permitted per term and this will be funded by the Cathedral. The Lay Clerk will be required to cover the cost of booking a deputy for any additional absences, apart from those caused by sickness or when compassionate leave is given. The cost of a deputy is £32 for evensong and £45 for Sunday mornings.
Sick Absence
Normal sick rules will apply and sick absence will be paid.
Pay
Lay clerks are part time permanent employees and the current salary is £6,450 per annum.
Housing allowance
In addition to their salary, an annual housing allowance of £4,800 (£400 per month) is paid.
Rental – Cathedral Accommodation
The following staged monthly rental charges for those Lay Clerks in Cathedral accommodation will apply:
Year 1 - £320
Year 2 - £400
Year 3 - £450
Year 4 - £500
Year 5 - £600
Year 6 - £700
Year 7- £750 and at the year 7 rate thereafter
These changes are with effect from 1 April 2016