Choral Scholars 2024-25
Information and Candidate Brief
UPDATE: We have appointed Soprano, Alto and Bass scholars - but are still looking for a TENOR - Please apply before 20 September
St Philip’s, Earls Court Road is looking to appoint a tenor Choral Scholar (a soprano, an alto and a bass are already identified) for the academic year from 6 October 2024 to July 2025.
The Scholars lead and support an enthusiastic and friendly congregational SATB choir, as well as having opportunities to perform as a quartet. A wide variety of music is performed, with repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to the present day.
The tenor Scholar will be paid an annual honorarium of £2,000, being 10 monthly payments of £200, for the commitment described below. Scholars will have opportunities to sing for other services, whether paid by St Philip’s or the person requesting the service, normally at a rate of £100 per service. St Philip’s routinely livestreams and video records services with music and there is no fee uplift for this.
About the church
The church has a very fine three manual organ and a Bechstein concert grand piano.
The choir is friendly and sociable, and the congregation and clergy are welcoming and appreciative of the music. The church hosts concerts including a regular lunchtime recital series.
About the commitment
The main role for the Choral Scholars will be to sing at our weekly Sunday morning Eucharist at 10:30am, with a 9:30 rehearsal, from September to July. Hymns, an anthem and a mass setting are sung every week.
The pattern of Sundays normally includes:
• One Sunday each month: A choral mass by composers such as Haydn, Vierne, Mozart or Howells.
• One Sunday each month: An all-age Eucharist service, with music and teaching aimed more at children and youth.
• Two or three regular services with a congregational mass setting and perhaps a Psalm or part of a Psalm in Anglican chant.
In addition, we ask the Scholars to sing at six additional “commitment services” at other times (and attend rehearsals before). These are expected to include Ash Wednesday evening , Maundy Thursday evening, Good Friday (3 hours), Ascension Evening and a candlelit Carol service shortly before Christmas.
Attendance at Midnight Mass and Christmas Day morning is not required, but there may be opportunities to participate for the normal extra fee. Each Scholar is entitled to holiday of five Sunday mornings and one other commitment service during the academic year, by agreement with the Director of Music.
Scholars are expected to prepare in advance of rehearsals so that they can perform to the highest possible standards and give a good and confident lead to the choir.
To apply
Please email a CV detailing relevant experience, as well as a cover letter, to the Director of Music, Laurence Long: music@specr.org, to arrive no later than 20 September 2024
For further information, please don’t hesitate to contact the Director of Music.
As auditions with individual applicants may be held before the closing date, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Candidates will be asked to prepare a piece of their own choice and will be given sight reading and general musicianship tests. There will also be a short interview.
Safer recruitment: selected candidates will be required to provide details of two referees and a confidential declaration of any safeguarding issues, as well as undertaking a DBS check.