Music Director, Morning Service
Information and Application Pack
St Simon Zelotes
The church
St Simon Zelotes is a parish in the Chelsea/Knightsbridge area of London. The local population is multi-national, mobile and mostly very affluent, but there are pockets of social housing within the parish boundaries.
The church has a strong history in supporting excellent music provision to support congregational worship. Our morning service has a well-established tradition, following the Book of Common Prayer, and has a committed group of professional singers who make up a 4-part choir each Sunday. This is combined with an emphasis on Biblical preaching.
We have a well-maintained 2 manual Walker (1925) pipe organ and a Broadwood grand piano. We currently use Hymns Old & New at the morning service.
The role
We are looking for someone sympathetic to the Christian faith, who is eager to serve the church through provision of music for the morning service. We believe that music is an essential part of Christian worship and should aim to glorify God and strengthen his people in faith. Our vision for the role is for the post holder to support and further the mission of the church through wise and prayerful consideration as to the music chosen for services.
The Appendix attached lists some examples of music that have worked well at St Simon’s and provides a flavour of the musical life at St Simon’s. We are looking for a candidate who is comfortable with this style of worship.
Job Description
The Music Director is responsible to the Vicar for the care, control and general oversight of all the music in the church for the weekly Sunday morning service, and various other special services and events throughout the year. S/he will be expected to:
• Play the organ/piano at services including for a ten minute period before the service • Rehearse and direct the SATB (one to a part) choir on Sunday mornings • Take responsibility for choosing appropriate music that supports the worship of the church in consultation with the Vicar or Curate • Arrange for organist and choir at Memorial Services, weddings, and other occasional services. There will be an additional fee paid for these services. The post holder will have first refusal as organist at each of these, and will be expected to appoint a deputy if unable to attend themselves • Oversee the maintenance of the organ and the piano • Organise occasional ‘socials’ for the choir • Be available for ‘special services’ during the year for which an additional fee is payable; eg Christmas Eve, Good Friday • Meet with the Vicar once a month
Administrative duties will include: • Auditioning and fixing deputies for the choir • Overseeing administration of choir fees • Arranging for deputy Organist when on holiday • Liaising with families over the provision of music at special services (weddings, funerals, etc.) • Organising the choir for special services • Making sure that music is stored in an orderly manner and is available as appropriate for the choir • Keep a record of hymns and other musical items used at each service Attend meetings of the PCC if required to give input
Person Specification • Sympathetic to the Christian faith • Excellent proficiency at the organ and keyboard skills (equivalent to ARCO level) • Openness to, and flexibility in working within a range of musical styles • Some experience of training and directing professional choirs • A desire to serve the needs of the congregations when choosing service music • Excellent organisation and administrative skills • Willing to accept the final authority of the Vicar in the musical life of the church
This post would be well suited to a candidate looking for experience of running and directing a professional SATB choir
The starting salary will be £5616 pa with 5 paid Sundays of holiday pa.
Informal enquiries can be directed to the Vicar, Mike Neville ([email protected]).
How to Apply
Please apply by sending a covering letter explaining why you are suitable for the post and your CV by email to [email protected] or by post to Mike Neville, Parish Office, 34 Milner Street, London, SW3 2QF. Please include the contact details for two references in your application.
The closing date for applications is Friday 25 September 2020 and interviews will be held on Saturday 3 October 2020. The interview process will include the opportunity for us to explore your musical proficiency.
APPENDIX
TYPICAL SERVICE MUSIC AT ST SIMON ZELOTES
Sunday Morning Prayer Service (example 1)
Psalm: 16 vs 9-12
Jubilate
Anthem: O that I knew where I might find Him - W. Sterndale Bennett
Organ Voluntary: Chorale Prelude on Wachet Auf - J.S. Bach
Sunday Morning Prayer Service (example 2)
Benedictus
Psalm: 68 Responsorial vs 1-9
Anthem: Come Holy Ghost - Attwood
Voluntary: Alla Marcia - John Ireland
Sunday Holy Communion Service
Anthem: Thy word is a lantern – Purcell
Communion Motet: Almighty and Everlasting God - Orlando Gibbons
Organ voluntary: Chaconne in E Minor - Buxtehude
Mothering Sunday
Anthem: For the beauty of the Earth - Rutter
Blessing: The Lord Bless you and keep you - Rutter
Organ Voluntary: Sortie in E Flat - Lefebure-Wely
Easter Day Service
Anthem: Achieved is the glorious work - Haydn
Motet: This joyful Eastertide - Wood
Voluntary: –Prelude and Fugue in G major, BWV 541 – J.S. Bach
Remembrance Sunday Introit: Thou knowest Lord – Purcell
Anthem: Greater Love hath no man - John Ireland
Voluntary: Prince of Denmark's March - Jeremiah Clarke
Carol Service
Choir: In Dulce Jubilo - Reginald Jacques
Carol: Once in Royal David’s City
Carol: It came upon the midnight clear
Carol: O little town of Bethlehem
Choir: Tomorrow shall be my dancing day - John Gardner
Carol: In the bleak mid-winter
Choir: The Shepherd’s Pipe Carol - John Rutter
Choir: No Small Wonder - Paul Edwards
Carol: We three kings
Carol: Hark the herald Angel Sing
Brass and Organ Voluntary Gavotte from Suite in A Minor - Chris Williams
Varied congregational settings to Responses, Kyrie, Sanctus, Jubilate, Benedictus and Gloria by Merbecke, Rutter, Wood, MacMillan.
Some other favourite Anthems Like as the Hart – Howells
How beautiful are the messangers - Mendelssohn
Blessed be the Lord God and Father – Wesley
If ye love me - Tallis
And I saw a new heaven - Bairstow
God so loved the world - Stainer