Director of Music

We are looking for an organist and choir trainer to lead and further develop the music in our parish.  Our regular robed choir is affiliated to the RSCM and consists of about a dozen regular and enthusiastic adults plus occasional visitors from outside the parish.  We enjoy a wide range of church music, with a weekly Parish Eucharist at 11.00 a.m. in churches around the parish, usually sung to a setting, and a full sung Choral Evensong at 6.30 p.m. once a month.  There are occasional special services for the major feast days of the church, as well as approximately 8 weddings per year and about a dozen funerals.  We have an annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at Christmas time and a performance in Holy Week: in recent years this has been Fauré’s Requiem, The Cross of Christ, or Stainer’s Crucifixion.  The choir normally rehearses weekly at Folkingham Church for an hour on Thursdays (the time of the rehearsal has varied).  The day and time of the rehearsal would be subject to negotiation.

​

Our Parish

The Parish of South Lafford covers a rural area between Sleaford and Bourne around the junction of the A15 and A52.  It is a united benefice which is run as a single entity.  It has eleven churches, all listed, beautiful and historic, but with a variety of organs, from two manual and pedals to single manual chamber organs.  We also have a portable Yamaha P115 keyboard with stand and seat which can be transported whenever it is needed.  Further details of the parish can be found on our website www.parishofsouthlafford.org.

​

Job Specification for the Director of Music

• Care, control and general oversight of all the music in the churches of the parish.

• Liaise with the Rector about all musical matters, including the choice of hymns and anthems

• Play the organ at regular Sunday services (normally 11 o’clock each Sunday and one Choral Evensong per month) and

• Responsibility for training the choir and holding regular choir practices (normally three per month)

• Supervise and oversee the care and maintenance of the organs and other instruments owned by the churches of the parish, in consultation with the churchwardens

(This is not an exhaustive list; the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties and responsibilities.)

​

Required skills and attributes (Person Specification)

These should include:

• Reliable and trustworthy

• Ability to lead, train and bring the best out of the choir – a sense of humour will help

• Good musicianship

• Good keyboard skills and versatility in playing a variety of different organs/keyboards

• Ability to problem-solve and make decisions, referring when necessary

• Ability to work independently and also as part of a team, influencing others positively

• Flexible and willing to learn

​

Conditions

Remuneration will be according to RSCM guidelines and reasonable travel expenses will be paid in full.  In addition, the Director of Music is the first port of call for all weddings and funerals, for which a separate fee is paid.

​

Application process

Please fill in application form, which can be found below, and e-mail it to the Parish Administrator (Alison Scott) at southlafford@gmail.com or post to the Rectory, 16 West Street, Folkingham  NG34 0SW.    

​

Informal enquiries are welcome: please ring Alison Scott Parish Administrator 07399 548373

​