Current Vacancies

Director of Music/Organist
All Saints Church Holbeach

Job Description and Person Specification

All Saints Holbeach is a growing church of broadly central tradition.  It is a Key Mission Church in the Diocese of Lincoln and as such, is regarded as a place of high-quality, weekly worship and a resource for the surrounding deanery.

We seek a new Director of Music/Organist who is comfortable with a range of musical traditions and styles and passionate about the role that music plays in worship with a desire to develop, grow and inspire our choirs.

Welcoming all, regardless of background or difference, underpins all that we do and are at All Saints, and music is an essential part of that. We are proud of our choral tradition and are keen to see our adult and junior choirs flourish and grow.  Our choirs sing to a good standard, but we maintain an inclusive welcome to singers of different abilities, recognising the importance of music for all.

Sunday services follow a regular pattern (see table).  The role of the Director of Music will require overseeing the musical life of the church in partnership with the Incumbent.  The All-Age Worship service includes a band which can offer contemporary music, and the Director of Music is responsible for arranging music for this as required.  There is a weekly choir rehearsal for the adult choir and the junior choir meet weekly during term time.  We benefit from a gifted team which leads the junior choir, supporting them in learning to play the recorder, read music, sing, and achieve their RSCM awards.  The Director of Music is not required to attend these sessions, but their oversight and support is essential.

All Saints has RSCM membership, and we are currently working on exciting links with Lincoln Cathedral as we seek to grow and develop the role of music, both in All Saints and across the deanery.

Sunday 10.30am 6.30pm
1st Sunday All Age Worship BCP Holy Communion
2nd Sunday Eucharist Evensong
3rd Sunday Eucharist Evensong
4th Sunday Eucharist Evensong
5th Sunday Eucharist Be Still Service (no organist or choir)

The Director of Music Job Role

  • To oversee the musical life of the church and ensure it works alongside the ministry and mission of All Saints.
  • To play for the weekly Eucharist/All Age worship and Evensong/BCP Holy Communion weekly (6 Sundays leave permitted per year, Director of Music to arrange cover when not available).
  • To play for additional festival services e.g. Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Ascension Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the appointed times. Also, at any other Saints Day when a sung Eucharist is deemed appropriate by the Incumbent.
  • To lead a weekly choir rehearsal and occasional additional rehearsals around major festivals.
  • To actively maintain and recruit choir members.
  • Work alongside the Junior Choir team to encourage new members and support integration into Sunday Services and Adult Choir.
  • To work with, or under the direction of the incumbent in selecting appropriate music for services.
  • To write an annual report for the APCM and other reports as required.
  • To ensure the organ is tuned annually and instruct the PCC of any necessary repair work.
  • To work alongside the Incumbent, Mission and Ministry team to develop music as part of our welcome for all.
  • To oversee the musical provision for the monthly All Age service, arranging and providing music as required.
  • To take a lead in training/supporting members of both adult and junior choirs to achieve RSCM awards.
  • To play for weddings and funerals as required or arrange cover if not available.
Organ Concert – October 2021

Who we are looking for:

Our new director of music will be knowledgeable and have experience in traditional and contemporary choral and instrumental music in a liturgical setting, plus a willingness to develop and expand our repertoire.

An active member of the Church of England or other Christian Church is highly desirable, and the candidate must be sympathetic to the musical demands of the liturgical seasons.

A team player with good interpersonal skills, working well with people of all ages and a sense of humour.

An excellent organist with a diploma in organ playing or equivalent qualification/experience.

Someone who can nurture musical talent and ability (enabling each choir member to achieve their potential), and maintain a commitment to ensure the choir sings to a high standard, but is inclusive, encouraging singers of differing abilities.

Safeguarding

An enhanced DBS and commitment to safeguarding are essential to the role, including the completion of any required training.

The appointment will be made in accordance with the Church of England’s safer recruitment policy. 

Key Relationships

The Director of Music will be directly responsible to the Incumbent, and will need to work alongside the assistant director, junior choir team and adult choir, liaising with churchwardens and PCC as appropriate.

What we offer

  • A genuinely supportive working environment that seeks to value each individual for the gifts and skills that they bring.
  • A desire to continue and develop our musical tradition.
  • A supportive Incumbent and PCC that value our musical tradition and are keen to develop it.
  • A large three-manual organ with a detached electric drawstop console and forty-three speaking stops. (The Great and Swell Organs are situated on the south side of the chancel, next to the Sacristy, with a separate Choir organ located in an elevated position on the south wall of the chancel. The console is located on the North side of the chancel.) The Choir organ underwent a complete rebuild in 2019 at a cost of £30,000 which was generously donated in memory of a parishioner.
  • The ability to use the organ for private practice and conducting lessons at times arranged to avoid interference with church activities.

We would like to attract someone who is keen to work with the mission and ministry of All Saints to increase choir membership and develop opportunities for children and young people to become more involved in the church choir whilst nurturing their singing abilities.  Music is planned monthly with the Incumbent for the next month’s services, and the Director of Music puts together the music lists and emails to the administrator, web manager and choir each month.

Start date from September 2023 onwards, dependent on enhanced DBS and completion of safeguarding training.

Terms and conditions

A salary of £5200 per annum, paid monthly via PAYE
Additional fees for weddings and funerals
6 weeks annual leave per year (to include no more than 6 Sundays, not during principal festivals)
Enhanced DBS and completed safeguarding training

Please send a CV and covering letter stating why you would like to apply for the post to
Reverend Sherine Angus at sherine.angus@lincoln.anglican.org
If you would like to discuss the role further, please call Revd Sherine Angus on 07305 964617

Closing date for Applications:  Currently Open

Interviews to be held on:  To be advised

Interview to include:

Prepare an anthem for 30 minutes with the choir
Sight reading
Play a voluntary of choice

 

Additional Information

Please explore our website for a flavour of our welcoming and inclusive community.

We also have a Parish Profile with more comprehensive information.

Parish Profile 2021 – main document