Assistant Organist

**Job Title**: Assistant Organist (and Director of Music at St John’s College, Durham)

**Location**: Durham Cathedral

**Hours**: 37.5 hours per week

**Salary**: In the region of £27,000 per annum plus housing

The Chapter of Durham Cathedral in collaboration with the College Officers of St John’s College, Durham University, seeks to appoint an Assistant Organist of the Cathedral and a Director of Music of the College.

The average ratio of time and duties applied to each institution will be 70% (Cathedral) and 30% (College) although this will vary according to the needs of each institution at different times during the year.

The Cathedral’s Assistant Organist will work alongside the Organist and Sub-Organist accompanying services, training choristers and engaging in music outreach.

The College’s Director of Music will lead the musical life of the College directing its choirs and contributing to the musical development of ordinands at Cranmer Hall.

Durham, with its thriving University, its magnificent setting, and its historic background has much to offer as a place to settle: a busy musical and cultural life, with Newcastle very close (14 miles), and such centres as York, Edinburgh and London all quickly reached by train. The Cathedral Choir is a happy and sociable team whose comradeship extends well outside the Choir stalls.

**Safeguarding**

This post involves Regulated Activity with children.

This post involves successful inclusion on the Single Central Register of Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation.

Durham Cathedral is committed to safeguarding. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. For further details, please refer to our Safeguarding Policy Statement.

**Shortlisting date**: Monday 10 June 2024

**Interview date**:Monday 17 / Tuesday 18 June 2024

**Preferred start date**: Sunday 1 September 2024

This section outlines the requirements and qualities the post-holder needs in order to fulfil the post. These are divided into ‘essential’ and ‘desirable’ criteria. ‘Essential’ criteria are those that the post-holder absolutely must have in order to do the job; that is the job cannot be done without those qualities. ‘Desirable’ criteria are those qualities that would be either useful, an advantage or preferable to have in order to do the job or those which can be trained to do; that is the job can be done without those qualities.

**Essential Criteria**:
Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree in Music

Experience of accompanying a choir or vocal group

Knowledge of the liturgical life of the Church

Able to read music

Strong sight-reading ability

Able to work as part of a team

Able to motivate and inspire singers

Confident performer, both as a soloist and with a choir

Reliable, punctual and organised

Professional manner, suitable for working with children, students and adults, and able to be an ambassador for the Cathedral and St John’s College

In sympathy with the mission and ministry of the Cathedral and St John’s College*

**Desirable Criteria**:
Organ qualification (ARCO level or equivalent)

Experience of playing for services in an Anglican church

Experience of teaching individuals & groups

Experience of collegial or communal musical education

Knowledge of Anglican church repertoire

Knowledge of safeguarding practices

Knowledge of relations between music and theology

Able to teach and motivate non-musicians to sing well
- *While it is not a requirement of the role to be a communicant member of the Church of England, the Assistant Organist and Director of Music at St John’s College will conduct and play for services so it is essential that the role holder is in sympathy with Christian worship._

Pay: From £27,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 09/06/2024
Expected start date: 01/09/2024