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 . 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) 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: 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 -

Organ voluntary: 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 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 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