Director of Music

Application Pack

+44 (0)1924 373923 admin@-.org.uk www.wakefieldcathedral.org.uk Application Pack – Director of Music

Welcome from the

Thank you for your interest in the post of Director of Music at . This senior appointment is of huge significance for us as we begin to shape the next phase of our ministry in line with our new Strategic Vision Firm in Hope. As Dean I am absolutely resolute in my belief that the ’s choral tradition provides a firm bedrock for successful and sustainable mission and outreach, and I am immensely fortunate to have stepped into such a wonderful inheritance at Wakefield when I was appointed in 2018. Be assured that the successful candidate will be joining a team of people who are fully committed to the flourishing of the cathedral’s ministry at the heart of our city and across the wider Diocese of . I hope that the pack stimulates you to consider applying, and we look forward to hearing from you.

The Very Revd

About this Role

Wakefield Cathedral is at the beginning of a new phase in mission and ministry, following the launch of its new Strategic Vision. The Dean and Chapter seek to appoint a new Director of Music (DoM) who will be able to consolidate the following a period of disruption caused by the pandemic, and enable it to move confidently into the future, striving for the highest possible standards of music and worship. The successful candidate will work closely with the and Assistant Director of Music (ADoM) to develop a sustainable structure and clear goals to enable the music department to play its part in the delivery of the vision and strategy of the cathedral. The DoM will be well-versed in the traditional and contemporary musical repertoire of the English cathedral, able to work creatively with different forms of musical expression and with a sensitivity to the role of worship in the ministry and mission of today. They will be a persuasive and enthusiastic ambassador for cathedral music in general and Wakefield Cathedral in particular, welcoming opportunities to become involved in the musical life of the local community (including local schools), the Diocese of Leeds, and the region as a whole.

As a cathedral our vision is to be a centre of excellence for choral church music and musical education within the city, diocese and region. We seek to bring people to the Christian faith through worship and music of a high quality, and the successful applicant will need to approach the role both as professional musician, and also as a significant member of the cathedral community. It is essential that they be a practising Christian, (whether a communicant member of the Church of England or another Christian denomination), with a concern for their own spiritual development. They will need to be a role model for choristers, with pastoral responsibility for those within the choir. They will exercise appropriate care for the choristers, upholding the highest standards of safeguarding, working to make the department a safe and supportive environment for the development of young musicians.

The DoM will be an enthusiastic and proactive member of the cathedral staff team, supportive of colleagues and able to contribute to their own development, as well as encouraging the growth and development of those under their oversight. The cathedral team is a relatively small one, and although each member has specific duties and responsibilities it is vital that all are able to work collaboratively and relatively flexibly, as the cathedral reshapes its mission and ministry in line with the new Strategic Vision. If you would like an informal conversation about this role, please be in touch with Revd Canon Leah Vasey- Saunders (Precentor) [email protected].

The Dean and Chapter believe that the Anglican choral tradition is a distinctive gift which the cathedral offers first to God and then to the wider community, and they seek a musician of calibre who will share this conviction and strive for the highest standards.

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Wakefield Cathedral: Firm in Hope 2020-2030

Our Purpose

To be a seat of the of Leeds, and a centre for worship and mission.

Our Mission

Wakefield Cathedral seeks to offer a distinctive setting for the worship of God by building on a living tradition that will engage and inspire present and future generations.

We strive to be an outward-looking community of disciples of Jesus Christ, inviting others to walk alongside us to share God’s love with all the people of Wakefield and the wider Diocese of Leeds.

We pray daily for our Bishop, our sister cathedrals in Bradford and Ripon, and for all the of our diocese.

Our Vision

Wakefield Cathedral is:

A safe and welcoming place where everyone can find space to encounter God and one another.

A life-giving place where people expect to be nourished and cared for in life and in faith.

An inspiring place from which people go out to celebrate the blessings and share the challenges of God’s world.

Further Information

Further information about the cathedral building, the staff, the current pattern of worship and the new cathedral strategic vision can be found on the cathedral website and in the Strategic Vision booklet.

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The Liturgical Tradition

The cathedral’s pattern of worship has been established over many years, and Wakefield is known for its strong Catholic tradition. Within that tradition the pattern has gradually evolved and today embraces a wide range of authorised services and includes some experimental worship, an area in which we wish to continue to expand and develop, both for the sake of the cathedral’s mission, and in order to meet diocesan needs.

The Book of Common Prayer is used for Evensong on weekdays (with the BCP psalms for the day) and on Sundays. On Sundays Common Worship, Order One (contemporary language) is used for the 09.15 Eucharist, with a congregational setting led by one of the treble lines. At the 11.00 Eucharist Common Worship, Order One (traditional language) is used, with a mass setting sung by the full choir.

Incense is used at both Eucharists on Sunday morning, at Festival Eucharists and Solemn Evensongs. Great importance is attached to the careful execution of the liturgy and we are fortunate in our team of dedicated servers, who, with our musicians, make a vital contribution to the effectiveness of the services particularly at the Festivals and during Holy Week, and, indeed the whole year round.

Pattern of services

This pattern is currently suspended because of Covid-19.

Sunday Service Times

08.00 Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer, said) 09.15 Sung Eucharist (contemporary language) 11.00 Sung Eucharist (traditional language) 15.30 Choral Evensong 16.30 Eucharist at the Chantry Chapel of St Mary-on-the-Bridge (BCP, said, 1st Sunday in the month only)

Monday to Saturday Service Times

08.00 Morning Prayer and Eucharist 10.30 Eucharist (Wednesday & Saturday) 12.30 Holy Communion with prayers for healing (Thursday) 15.30 Evening Prayer (Saturday, Monday & Friday) 18.00 Evensong - Boys' Voices (Tuesday) 18.00 Evensong - Girls' Voices (Wednesday) 18.30 Evensong – Boys’/Girls' and Lay Clerk's Voices (Thursday)

The pattern of services varies from time to time, and has to be adapted to take account of special duties or engagements, but the Dean and Chapter attach importance to the maintenance of this routine as far as possible.

As one of the three cathedrals of the Diocese of Leeds, Wakefield Cathedral shares the regular round of diocesan and episcopal services with our sister cathedrals in Bradford and Ripon. We also regularly host civic services for the Wakefield Metropolitan District.

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Other special services are principally those of the liturgical year. The choir takes a leading part in processional or carol services: Advent Sunday, Christmas and Epiphanytide. There are Sung Eucharists on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi, All and All Souls. We keep a full Holy Week, including a programme of Passiontide Music on Palm Sunday afternoon. The cathedral choir is involved in singing at diocesan services and on some civic occasions.

This list is not exhaustive, and the precise deployment of the cathedral choir is something that is kept under regular review.

Occasional Services

The cathedral is regularly used for occasional services (weddings, funerals, services of thanksgiving) and services requested by voluntary groups (especially for school carol services during December). The of DoM, the ADoM or the will normally be expected to play for these services.

The Music Department

The Canon Precentor is head of the music department. The DoM and ADoM run the department’s administration and are responsible for circulating the various schedules and letters that go out to parents and choir personnel. There is a small amount of administrative support for the music list and printing.

James Bowstead, the ADoM, is currently Acting DoM. The ADoM is currently a part-time post but we hope to develop the capcity to make this a full-time role in the future.

Robert Pecksmith is the Assistant Organist, a temporary post created to support the Acting DoM throughout the vacancy. This post will cease to exist on 01 October 2021.

The success of the music department depends on a continuation of the good working relationship between the DoM and ADoM. The DoM has final responsibility in musical matters, and nurtures and encourages the personal and professional development of the whole department.

An Organ Scholar is normally appointed for twelve months to three years. There is currently no scholar. When a scholar is in post they assist in the departmental administration, and undertake playing or conducting duties at the request of the DoM/ADoM.

A peripatetic singing and theory tutor is also used for about 2 hours per week.

The song room and music library are accommodated on the second floor of a corridor that links the cathedral to a nineteen-eighties extension, but plans are being developed, as part of a larger development of the cathedral estate, to establish a dedicated and ‘purpose-built’ song school.

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The Cathedral Choir

Wakefield Cathedral Choir has a rich history of excellence dating back many years. In 1992, we were the second cathedral choir in the country to introduce girl choristers, a move which was a huge success in a number of ways. The independent lines of boy and girl choristers sing for the majority of the cathedral choir services. The choristers are aged from 7 to 18. There is no choir school, so the boys and girls are recruited from a number of different schools from across the local area, among them the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS), Wakefield Girls’ High School (WGHS), Silcoates and others . It is our aim to have 20 children in each choir. Full choristers receive free singing lessons and theory tuition. For choristers at QEGS and the WGHS there is a contribution to the school fees. The connection of the Wakefield Grammar School Foundation to the cathedral is informal, but its status is recognised by associate membership of the Choir Schools Association.

The back row of the choir is made up of two constituent parts:

• Lay Clerks: 12 regular male and female adult singers. Some of these musicians travel great distances and they receive a honorarium for their commitment. • Choral Scholars: These are aged 16-18 and most often former choristers who have retired from the front rows. They receive a small scholarship.

The cathedral consort is made up of volunteer sopranos who join together with the Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars to sing around six times per year.

Regular Services and Rehearsals

The regular timetable for each group (in normal times) is outlined below, but it will generally be clearer to view it in the termly choir schedule, which will also include details of any special events and changes to the regular timetable.

Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars

Sunday 10:30 Practice 11:00 Service 12:15 Finish 15:00 Practice 15:30 Service 16:20 Finish Thursday 18:00 Practice 18:30 Service 19:30 Practice 21:00 Finish / Compline (2nd Thursday of the month) 21:20 Finish (2nd Thursday of the month)

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Girls 1st in month 2nd in month 3rd in month 4th in month 5th in month Sunday 8:45 Practice 8:45 Practice 8:45 Practice 15:00 Practice 8:45 Practice 9:15 Service 9:15 Service 9:15 Service 15:30 Service 9:15 Service 10:30 Finish 10:30 Practice 10:30 Finish 16:20 Finish 10:30 Finish 11:00 Service 12:15 Finish Monday No Duties Tuesday No Duties Wednesday 17:00 Practice 18:00 Service 18:40 Finish Thursday No Duties 17:00 Tea No Duties 17:45 Practice 18:30 Service 19:15 Break 19:30 Practice 20:30 Finish Friday 18:00 Practice No Duties 18:00 Practice 19:15 Finish 19:15 Finish Saturday No Duties

Boys 1st in month 2nd in month 3rd in month 4th in month 5th in month Sunday 10:15 Practice 15:00 Practice 10:15 Practice 8:45 Practice No Duties 11:00 Service 15:30 Service 11:00 Service 9:15 Service 12:15 Finish 16:20 Finish 12:15 Finish 10:30 Practice 15:00 Practice 15:00 Practice 11:00 Service 15:30 Service 15:30 Service 12:15 Finish 16:20 Finish 16:20 Finish Monday No Duties Tuesday 16:30 Practice 17:15 Break 17:30 Practice 18:00 Service (Juniors only) 18:30 Finish Wednesday No Duties Thursday 16:30 Practice No Duties 16:30 Practice 16:30 Practice 17:15 Break 17:15 Break 17:30 Finish 18:00 Practice 18:00 Practice 18:30 Service 18:30 Service 19:15 Finish 19:15 Finish Friday 16:30 Practice 17:30 Finish Saturday No Duties

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Chorister Recruitment

Wakefield Cathedral has no choir school and relies on choristers from local schools and lay clerks from around the region to maintain its musical tradition and the number of singers. It will be an important part of the DoM’s work to develop and maintain recruitment strategies in order to ensure a continuing flow of talented singers, both child and adult. It is envisaged that the chorister outreach work will support this endeavour through the valuable contacts it provides and the opportunities it gives.

Musical Provision Outside of Term-time

The responsibility for an appropriate musical provision at cathedral services remains with the DoM, also during periods of absence (e.g. holidays, tours, other engagements, courses) and outside the choir term. This provision can be delegated within the team, to a visiting choir of appropriate standard or an outside organist or musician. A number of our musicians are also available to be called upon as cantors, who are used during choir holidays to lead e.g. Responsorial Psalms and Gospel Acclamations.

Extra-curricular Activities

The boys, girls and lay clerks undertake a full programme of services, broadcasts, concerts and recordings.

We are keen to encourage concerts or Choral Evensongs (one each term), as a means of strengthening the links between the cathedral and the diocese. Biennial choir tours take place, for which funding has to be raised or found by the Wakefield Cathedral Choir Association and chorister parents.

Cathedral Concerts

The cathedral currently promotes two to three cathedral choir concerts each year, which are the direct responsibility of the DoM. The DoM will also be responsible for the organisation of our weekly Tuesday lunchtime concerts, along with occasional organ recitals and a summer concert series. The cathedral’s Events’ Co-ordinator will assist with the promotion of all these. Additionally, during the year, the cathedral hosts an extensive programme of concerts, principally arranged by local orchestras and choral societies and through local charities and other bodies. The DoM has no direct responsibility for these, but will be expected to show an interest as part of the commitment to promote the musical life of the cathedral as a whole.

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Outreach

Funding to undertake outreach is currently minimal, but we very much hope to develop this valuable work. It is envisaged that the DoM will work alongside the newly appointed Income and Funding Manager to generate sufficient funds to develop an outreach programme of e.g. school visits (alone and with choristers), ‘Sing Up-style’ concerts and ‘Come and be a Chorister’ Evensongs as part of their work. There may be scope to form a junior choir in collaboration with partners such as Wakefield Music Services. It will be important to build good relationships with Wakefield Music Services and other musical agencies in the region. In Autumn 2019, the music department, working with the cathedral Outreach Officer, worked to prepare children from two primary schools to ’Come and Sing Choral Evensong’. This was a small-scale project, which paved the way for possible future projects.

Wider Musical Activities

There are other talented musicians and instrumentalists in our congregations and within the wider diocese. It is envisaged that the DoM will encourage and nurture all music making, including congregational singing, at the cathedral, and may welcome some occasions to co-ordinate the use of more than one form of music and group of singers/musicians in a service.

The Organ The present organ was constructed in three stages: • 1905 – Abbot and Smith (using a small amount of earlier pipework) • 1951 – John Compton (much new pipework except in Swell and Choir) • 1985 – Wood of Huddersfield (much new upperwork, some rearrangement) The action is electro-pneumatic. Unusually, all the pipework except the Choir Organ and the Tuba is enclosed in swell boxes. Compton’s work was based on the use of unit chests. At Wakefield, the Great, Solo, Bombarde and Pedal divisions retain these unit chests, with substantial extension of ranks: one rank of pipes makes up stops of 16’, 8’, 4’, 2’ and even 32’ pitch. The Swell and Choir divisions have no extension. Wind pressures are relatively high, especially for the Great and Solo reeds – approximately 10” and 15” respectively. The Pedal Contrabass, also on high pressure, is in fact a Diaphone with wooden tubes. The large number of low-pitched stops reflects the particular acoustic of Wakefield Cathedral, where the lower pitches do not carry well through the building. This is particularly true when there is a large congregation. Whilst the organ is unmistakeably English in character, well-suited to accompanying both choir and congregation, it is also remarkably versatile for recital work. We often feel it sounds better in the building than its design and construction suggest it should! This is due in large part to the sensitive rebuilding by David Wood in 1985. To read more about the cathedral organ and for a copy of the specifications of the Instrument please see this page on the cathedral Website.

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Cathedral Music Support Wakefield Cathedral Choir Association The Choir Association is a parent committee, whose main task is to fund raise and organise social events for the cathedral choir and wider community. The DoM attends these meetings, which are chaired by the Canon Precentor. Wakefield Cathedral Music Trust The trust exists to give assistance with Education and the Musical life of Wakefield Cathedral by making grants for Choir tours, by sponsoring the organ scholarship and providing a Hardship fund. During this Pandemic, they have made a grant to purchase music theory workbooks to enable all choristers to progress in their musical development during zoom-based theory lessons.

Wakefield Cathedral Old Choristers Association Wakefield Cathedral Old Chorister Association is a small but loyal group of former choristers who work to keep in touch with old choristers and plan events to keep in touch with them. In a normal year they host a dinner with guest speaker (usually preceeded by Evensong), an Advent Sunday Lunch (preceeded by a Sung Eucharist) as well as concerts and other activities. The DoM usually attends committee meetings along with the Canon Precentor.

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Role Description

General Responsibilities

The DoM will develop and maintain good relationships and communication with the clergy, cathedral staff, volunteers and chorister parents, including the following responsibilities:

• To attend weekly music department meetings and other meetings as appropriate. • To attend cathedral staff meetings. • To direct the cathedral choir. • To develop and administer a schedule to rehearse the choristers. • To have oversight of the training of probationer choristers in co-operation with the Assistant DoM, and Organ Scholar where appropriate. • To exercise appropriate pastoral care for the choristers, and relate well to their parents. • To take primary responsibility for a regular and well-planned programme of recruitment for new choristers, lay clerks and choral scholars. • To take a significant part in the development and direction of voluntary choral singing in the cathedral. • To model excellence in choral accompaniment, voluntaries, improvisation and liturgical playing as appropriate. • To play for required services and/or ensure that appropriate cover is in place and to take a share in general organ responsibilities e.g. organ recitals, visiting organists etc. • To line-manage the ADoM and Organ Scholar, delegating tasks to them as appropriate, with their long-term development in mind. • To build an enthusiastic and harmonious music department, which interact efficiently with the rest of the cathedral. • To have oversight of the cathedral music library. • To co-ordinate and deliver the general administrative work of the liturgy & music department. • To undertake such additional duties as reasonably required by the Canon Precentor.

Missional Responsibilities

• To develop a sustainable structure and clear goals to enable the music department to play its part in the delivery of the vision and strategy of the cathedral. • To develop a programme to deliver outreach work, including visits to schools and participation in concerts. • To develop and take a part in outreach into the diocese through creating partnerships and liaising with churches of other traditions, to resource contemporary music for special services, including supporting of the work of the RSCM • To represent the cathedral as required with appropriate National and Regional Associations, as agreed with the Canon Precentor.

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Work Outside the Cathedral

The Dean and Chapter expect the DoM to give priority to cathedral work, in keeping with the definition of ‘full time’. However, Chapter recognises that it is to the cathedral’s advantage for its musicians to develop their skills and experience in a wider context. This may include organ recitals, choral directing in the area, private teaching etc. During the choir term where outside engagements involve a clash of interests those may only be undertaken with the explicit approval of the Dean or Canon Precentor.

Training and Development

The job is broad enough to allow the skills of the candidate to be encouraged and developed in many ways. There will be the opportunity to develop personal and musical skills.

Safeguarding

All staff and volunteers are expected to demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding the welfare of all children and adults who may be vulnerable, who are involved with and/or visit the cathedral. The successful candidate will be required to undertake regular mandatory training and adhere to policies and procedures, following good practice in relation to their own behaviour and conduct and undertaking any safeguarding duties commensurate with their specific role.

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Person Specification

Essential

• A commitment to the development plans of Wakefield Cathedral as set out in the strategic plan. • FRCO or equivalent standard. • A Degree. • An interest in, or up-to-date knowledge of church liturgy. • A talented musician in sympathy with the worship, ministry and ethos of Wakefield Cathedral, with abilities as a solo player, accompanist and liturgical organist. • An ability to engage, train and inspire a choir including singers of all ages. • A practicing Christian who will help create a department where the Christian Faith is central to the overall development of children, young people and adults. • Flexibility towards the development of a wide range of musical and liturgical styles. • A good communicator who can inspire choristers, professional and amateur musicians alike and who can also relate well to non-musicians. • A team player and team leader, able to encourage collaboration without enforcing undue conformity • A willingness to work beyond the cathedral boundaries. • A maturity of character and a good sense of humour. • An ability to stay calm under pressure. • A willingness to receive criticism and adapt. • A keen awareness of context, and ability to regulate behaviour and manner accordingly. • An efficient and reliable administrator with a working knowledge of MS Office. • Commitment to the full inclusion of all, with special regard to age, ability, gender identity, sexuality, religion, economic status, social class, and ethnicity. • A commitment to current safeguarding culture and procedures.

Desirable

• A Music Degree. • Cathedral experience. • An ability to type-set music. • Experience of using ChurchSuite or another data management system.

Working Patterns

The DoM will work 35 hours a week. Some flexibility with working hours will be required, in the knowledge that some working weeks will be busier than others. The DoM is entitled to one full day off per week.

Terms and Conditions

The DoM is accountable to the Dean for all matters relating to their terms and conditions of employment.

A computer will be provided for this role and there will also be desk space for the post-holder.

There is no accommodation available with this post.

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The annual leave allowance for this post is 238 hours including allowance for Bank Holidays. This is the equivalent of 34 days.

Annual leave around Christmas, Easter and during the summer are agreed in advance, as is leave during half- term holidays.

The remuneration for this post is £34,490 pa for a 35-hour week. The annual leave entitlement for this post should be taken outside choir terms.

The post-holder will be enrolled in the Church of England Workers’ Pension Scheme from the commencement of employment. This is a non-contributory scheme for the employee, with the cathedral contributing 8.5% to the pension.

Offer of the position will be subject to satisfactory references, the completion of a self-declaration form, an ‘Enhanced plus barred lists’ DBS disclosure and the agreement to abide by Wakefield Cathedral’s safeguarding policy.

There will be a probationary period of six months. Full terms and conditions of employment are described in the Written Statement of Particulars of Employment.

How to apply

• Fill out the attached application form. • Fill out the attached Church of England Confidential Declaration form. • Fill out the Fostering Diversity form. • The deadline for applications will be 12.00 on the 22 February 2021. • Shortlisted candidates will be contacted on 01 March.

Interviews

Interviews will take place as soon as government regulations allow. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to play two contrasting pieces (of not more than 15 minutes in total). One of these pieces should be by Johann Sebastian Bach.

They will be asked to perform an accompaniment as well as improvisation and transposition tests.

They will also be asked to take a rehearsal with a small group from the cathedral choir, and a separate rehearsal with choristers which may or may not be a digital rehearsal.

They will also be asked to prepare a presentation for the formal interview.

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