LAY VICAR – JOB DESCRIPTION

The Dean and Chapter of Cathedral seeks to appoint a Tenor Lay Vicar. Combined salary and housing allowance £17,000.

The post is available from 1st January 2021, but we would welcome applications from candidates who are able to join us at an earlier or later date.

Chichester Cathedral Choir has earned a reputation for high standards of performance and musical detail, with a distinctive style that fits the intimate setting and lovely acoustics of our beautiful Norman Cathedral. One of the smaller cathedral choirs in Britain, it consists of 14 choristers and 6 Lay Vicars. We have a track record of appointing and developing exceptional musicians, many of whom continue to follow successful singing careers after their time at Chichester, and we offer an allowance towards the cost of singing lessons. Expectations are high, and our musicians benefit from a strong team spirit and a very supportive atmosphere. Former Lay Vicars have gone on to work with The Sixteen and The Gesualdo Six, and to sing frequently with the choirs of Westminster and St Paul’s Cathedrals.

Regular rehearsals and services are at the heart of the Lay Vicar role (see the normal weekly schedule below). Candidates should be sympathetic to the worshipping life of the Cathedral, and ideally are communicant members of the Church of England or regular communicants of their own church. Versatility is essential: we are looking for excellent sight-singing skills, confidence with solo singing and the ability to blend within the small ensemble. Familiarity with liturgical repertoire and psalm-singing (plainsong and Anglican chant) is important, and the ability to work within a team which includes children is indispensable. Lay Vicars are expected to maintain a high level of vocal performance, and to show initiative in advancing their professional development.

Normal weekly schedule (NB – we are operating a slightly different schedule during the Covid-19 pandemic):

Monday 4.50pm Rehearsal 5.30pm Lay Vicars Evensong Tuesday 5.00pm Rehearsal 5.30pm Evensong Wednesday Day off Thursday 5.00pm Rehearsal 5.30pm Evensong Friday 5pm Rehearsal 5.30pm Evensong 6.15pm Full rehearsal (1hr) Saturday 5.00pm Rehearsal 5.30pm Evensong

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Sunday 9.25am Rehearsal 10.00am Mattins 11.00am Eucharist 3.00pm Rehearsal 3.30pm Evensong

For certain major festivals a Eucharist at 5.30pm is sung in place of Choral Evensong. If the choir sings on a Wednesday, another free day is substituted. As part of the Cathedral’s mission to its diocese, the choir visits parish churches (typically once each term on a Sunday afternoon) to sing Evensong.

Other employment We hope that the successful candidate will seek other employment in addition to their role as a Lay Vicar; there are opportunities in and around the city. The journey from Chichester to London Victoria by train takes approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes.

General information The Choral Foundation comprises Charles Harrison (Organist & Master of the Choristers), Timothy Ravalde (Assistant Organist), 6 Lay Vicars, 14 choristers and 4 probationers. The choristers board and are educated at The Prebendal School, the Cathedral choir school adjacent to the Cathedral. An Organ Scholar is appointed annually.

Chichester Cathedral is committed to providing a safe working environment for all and has clear policies for the protection of young people and vulnerable adults. The successful applicant will be required to undertake safeguarding training and become familiar with our policies. An enhanced DBS disclosure is required for this appointment.

Forming part of the Cathedral’s life of prayer and worship, the choir has a central role in its ministry to the congregation, the diocese and the wider world.

Chichester has a long and distinguished musical tradition. Thomas Weelkes served as Organist and Master of the Choristers during the early years of the seventeenth century. Under Dean Walter Hussey, the Cathedral commissioned many works of music: Leonard Bernstein, William Walton, Lennox Berkeley, James MacMillan, Philip Moore, Will Todd and Frederick Stocken have all composed works for the choir. The Cathedral houses a significant collection of artworks that includes pieces by Chagall, Sutherland, Piper and Feibusch.

Special events In recent years the choir has visited Chartres, Bamberg, Bayreuth, Ravenna, Leiden and Haarlem.

Early in December, the choir participates in a run of concerts at the renowned Chichester Festival Theatre, to a combined audience of about 7,000. The Lay Vicars also perform as ‘Close Company’, singing secular, close-harmony repertoire. This group occasionally convenes for other paid engagements during the course of the year.

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Each summer we join forces with our colleagues from Winchester and Salisbury for the Southern Cathedrals Festival, singing as a combined chorus and as individual choirs. The final concert usually includes a major work with orchestra.

The choir regularly broadcasts live on Radio 3 and records a carol service for BBC & Surrey each year.

In 2018, the choir made its first CD on the Signum label, and discussions are underway about future projects. Discs have also been released on the Priory and Herald labels, one of which was ‘Critic’s Choice’ in Gramophone magazine.

Salary and accommodation From September 2019, the annual salary will be £17,000 (comprising a basic salary of £9,268.98, plus a housing allowance of £7,731.02). In a typical year, extra fees for broadcasts, concerts, special services and the Southern Cathedrals Festival amount to about £1,500. Where possible, single accommodation in the Cathedral Close will be made available for Lay Vicars to rent.

Holidays & leave of absence The Lay Vicar contract provides for at least 100 days holiday per annum including a minimum of 10 Sundays. Holidays, which are agreed at the beginning of each academic year, are timed to coordinate with school term dates. The high quality of the choir relies, in part, on the 6-man team of Lay Vicars being present for most services, but we recognise the value and importance of encouraging singers to develop other strands of their performing career, and making contacts outside Chichester. For a set number of absences, the cost of engaging deputies is met by the Chapter.

Applications Applications should be in the form of a covering letter outlining your experience and suitability for the role and explaining why you are particularly interested in the position, together with a CV which includes the details of three referees.

Applications should be sent to:

Richard Paterson Liturgy and Music Administrator The Royal Chantry Cathedral Cloisters Chichester PO19 1PX Email: [email protected]

The closing date for applications is 12.00noon on Friday 25 September 2020.

If you wish to have an informal conversation with Charles Harrison (Organist and Master of the Choristers) in advance of your application please email [email protected] or call 07970 207314.

Auditions Interviews and auditions will be held on Thursday 8 October 2020.

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CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL ORGAN SCHOLARSHIP

The Dean and Chapter of Chichester wish to appoint an Organ Scholar for the academic year 2021/22.

About the Role The Organ Scholar plays a key role in the Liturgy and Music Department of Chichester Cathedral, in which musical, pastoral and administrative skills are developed and nurtured under the close supervision of the Cathedral’s professional musicians, and staff at The Prebendal School. In addition to accompanying the choir and playing voluntaries, the Scholar also performs an organ recital as part of the highly successful lunchtime series, with a typical audience of over 400.

In addition to its core responsibility of singing 8 services each week, the choir broadcasts each year on national and local radio, and regular tours enhance the choir’s profile at international level, strengthening civic and ecumenical links. The choir has recently provided the final instalment in Priory’s second ‘Psalms of David’ series, released a disc of Christmas repertoire, and made a recording on the Signum label in commemoration of the Armistice of 1918.

The choir enjoys a partnership with Chichester’s famous Festival Theatre, performing at a series of concerts each December attended by a combined audience about 7,000.

1. Applications are welcomed from school leavers and post-graduates: the Organ Scholarship will be tailored to fit the experience and aspirations of the Scholar. 2. The Organ Scholar is resident in Chichester during choir terms: the choir year will run from 1st September 2021 to 31st July 2022. Choir holidays typically comprise: 2 weeks after Christmas; 3 weeks at Easter (this is sometimes taken in two blocks either side of Holy Week); 2 weeks in the autumn half-term and a week at each of the spring and summer half-term breaks. 3. Accommodation will be provided in the form of a self-contained flat within the Cathedral Close. Through the generosity of the Pallant Charitable Trust, this will 4

be available free of rent and Council Tax. Charges for heating, electricity, telephone rental, water and internet are paid by the Cathedral. A small deposit of £100 is payable at the start of the academic year. 4. All meals will be available free of charge during term-time at the Prebendal School, the Cathedral’s Choir School. The Organ Scholar has supervisory duties at Prebendal, and plays for school services: in this respect he/she will be under the jurisdiction of the Head of the School.

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5. The Scholarship is currently worth £3,000 per annum. Payment is made in termly instalments to the Organ Scholar by the Chapter. In addition the Organ Scholar acts as Choir Librarian, for which duty a remuneration of £630 is paid. Additional fees are payable for special services. 6. In the Cathedral the Organ Scholar will work under the Organist and Master of the Choristers (subject to the jurisdiction of the Chapter) and will undertake such duties as may be required. The Organ Scholar will be allowed free use of the Cathedral organ for practice purposes at agreed times. 7. An allowance of £1,200 is available for private tuition, which may include paperwork lessons (eg for RCO diploma exams) as well as organ lessons. These may be taken with one of the Cathedral Organists or with another teacher. A proportion of this allowance may be used for travel expenses where lessons are taken outside of Chichester. 8. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

How to apply Applicants are invited to apply by sending a CV together with a covering letter explaining their interest in the post and what they hope to achieve and contribute during the year. The names and contact details of three referees, one of which must be musical, should be provided.

Applications should be sent to:

Richard Paterson

Liturgy and Music Administrator

The Royal Chantry

Cathedral Cloisters

Chichester

West Sussex PO19 1PX

Email: [email protected]

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The closing date for applications is 12.00noon on Friday 25 September 2020.

Potential candidates are welcome to contact Charles Harrison (Organist and Master of the Choristers) for an informal discussion:

Telephone 07970 207314; Email [email protected].

Interviews Interviews at the Cathedral and Prebendal School will take place on Friday 9th October 2020. Accommodation will be available if required. The practical part of the interview will include playing a Prelude, Fantasia or Fugue by J.S. Bach and a second, contrasting piece; sight-reading and hymn-playing; transposition and improvisation.

Duties in the Cathedral 1. Attending all services and rehearsals of the Cathedral Choir 2. Accompanying the Lay Vicars’ service each week, and other services as directed by the Organist 3. Attending and assisting with the lunchtime recitals 4. Voluntary playing, shared with the Organist & Assistant Organist 5. Managing the choir library – making sure all music is out in advance and returning copies to the library at the end of each day. Repairing copies and cataloguing new music 6. Preparing choir booklets for special services 7. Attending the weekly meetings of the three organists, and the weekly Liturgy and Music Department meeting 8. Helping the Assistant Organist in the training of the Probationers 9. Some small administrative duties in the office as required by the Liturgy and Music Administrator

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Duties at the Prebendal School The Organ Scholar is expected to carry out various musical duties in the school in return for which the school provides meals. Breakfast, lunch and supper are available daily while the Cathedral Choir is in residence.

Duties will include:

1. Supervising boarders’ music practice (as directed by the Director of Music), working with both the choristers and non-choristers. These will be a mixture of morning sessions before school and early evening sessions 2. Attending regular meetings with the Director of Music to ensure the smooth running of the department 3. Playing at morning assemblies in the Cathedral (Tuesdays and Thursdays) as well as at any special services 4. The Organ Scholar is encouraged to engage with other areas of work at The Prebendal School, according to their interests and experience

September 2020

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