Bristol Cathedral Choir L A Y C L E R K S Revised April 2019, TP
Lay Clerkships at Bristol Cathedral Bristol Cathedral is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, containing architecture from the 12th century (most famously in the stunning Chapter House) right through to the 19th (the Nave). It has perfect acoustics for the singing of choral music and is possessed of one of the finest Edwardian Cathedral Organs in the country (built in 1907 by the prestigious firm of J W Walker, and completely restored in 1990). Further information about the Cathedral and its life can be found by visiting bristol-cathedral.co.uk There has been a choir at Bristol Cathedral since its foundation in 1542, and probably since the days of the Augustinians (from 1140). Services are sung six times a week during term time by either the Cathedral Choir (Lay Clerks & Choral Scholars and boys/girls) or the Cathedral Consort. The Choir The Cathedral Choir consists of up to 28 choristers (14 boys and 14 girls), probationary choristers, six Lay Clerks, and four Choral Scholars. The Cathedral Choir encourages singers from the University of Bristol and UWE through the Choral Scholarship scheme. The current pattern for sung worship in the Cathedral (as it affects Lay Clerks) is as follows: Monday, Tuesday rehearsal (4.45pm) for Evensong (5.15 pm) sung by the full Choir
Friday rehearsal (4.45pm) for Evensong (5.15pm) sung by the Lay Clerks Saturday rehearsal (2.30pm) for Evensong (3.30pm) sung by the full Choir. There is a Saturday off once a month. Sunday rehearsal (9.15am) for Cathedral Eucharist (10.00am) sung by the full Choir rehearsal (2.45pm) for Evensong (3.30pm) sung by the full Choir
In addition to these regular services, there are additional contractual services including, but not limited to: Advent Processions, two Christmas concerts, the Festivals of Nine Lessons and Carols, Midnight Mass, Christmas Morning, Epiphany, Candlemas, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday vigil, Easter Day, and a summer concert. The Cathedral Choir is a regular on BBC Radio 3 Choral Evensong, and tours biennially. Recent tours include Poland and Germany in Summer 2014; Bordeaux in Summer 2016, and the Netherlands and Belgium in Summer 2018.
Revised April 2019, TP Revised April 2019, TP The City of Bristol
Bristol is one of the country’s most vibrant and beautiful cities, often topping lists of the best places to live in the country. In 2018 it was one of the New York Times’s Top 52 Places to Go in the World. The city offers a wealth of music-making at both amateur and professional levels; excellent theatres, the Bristol Old Vic and the Tobacco Factory; concert venues such as St George’s and Colston Hall; and it boasts the best food scene outside of London. It enjoys excellent rail links to London and is a short drive from the Cotswolds. Salary
The salary for a Lay Clerk from April 2019 is £7,320 pa. This figure is reviewed annually, and is supplemented by fees from extra events. How to apply If you would like to apply for a Lay Clerkship at Bristol Cathedral, please complete the application form on the website and email it to [email protected]. Alternatively send in an envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL to: The Music Administrator, Bristol Cathedral, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TJ. We very much look forward to hearing from you.
Revised April 2019, TP