Vacancy

 JOB DESCRIPTION  

Organist and Choir Director, Holy Trinity Church, Hereford.  Overall Responsibilities 

You are responsible for the provision of music in support of worship at Holy Trinity Church.  Essential duties: 

• Playing the organ or directing the music at the morning service each Sunday in term time and at  services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday (traditionally an Easter oratorio), Easter Sunday, the  annual Commemoration Service, Christingle, Nine Lessons and Carol Service, and on Christmas  Eve 

• Taking weekly choir practices on Friday evenings (6-7.30pm) and Sunday mornings  (9.45-10.45am), except in weeks after Easter and Christmas and during the month of August 

• Directing the choir in rehearsal and performance 

• Selecting appropriate choral and organ music for each service and preparing music lists for approval  by the incumbent or designated person 

• Overseeing the maintenance of the church’s musical instruments and reporting on their condition to  the PCC as necessary 

• Attending regular meetings with the incumbent or designated line manager 

Desirable duties: 

• Choir recruitment and the advancement of the interests of the choir: recruitment of young singers to  the choir is a core priority of the post.  

• Organising (with choir members’ assistance) and directing “choir tours” to sing in cathedrals in their  half-term and post-Easter breaks, including producing risk assessments and all the relevant adminis tration and safeguarding policies.  

• Additional services: Where the church wishes to have additional services, you will be given as  much notice as possible and be invited to play. If you are unable to play, we may engage another  organist.  

Safeguarding: 

The Church takes the safety of everyone within the church very seriously and expects that everyone  will work within the Church safeguarding policy. In particular, the Church expects anyone who be comes aware of a safeguarding risk or of actual abuse, to immediately raise this with your Parish  Safeguarding Officer (Jane Jones) or the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) or Assistant DSA.  

Those who work with children, young people and/or adults who are vulnerable should have a  commitment to:  

• Treat individuals with respect  

• Recognise and respect their abilities and potential for development  

• Working in ways that meet and develop the personal, spiritual, social and pastoral needs  • Promote their rights to make their own decisions and choices, unless it is unsafe  • Ensure their welfare and safety  

• The promotion of social justice, social responsibility and respect for others 

• Confidentiality, never passing on personal information, except to the person you are responsible to,  unless there are safeguarding issues of concern which must always be reported to the person named  above or to the Police or Social Services in an emergency. 

• Keep up to date with current diocesan safeguarding policy and procedure and undertake Safeguard ing training every three years 

Weddings and funerals: 

• You will be invited to play at weddings and funerals as first refusal in the church. If you are unable  to play, you must notify the West Hereford Office as soon as possible to allow arrangements to be  made for another organist to play. 

• The fee for playing for a wedding is presently £135.00. Wedding fees are determined and reviewed  annually by the PCC. The fee includes time discussing the music with the couple if required. The  fee is set at a rate that allows for the possibility of audio or video recordings being made of your  performance. Separate negotiations for a professional recording may be possible. 

• The fee for a funeral is £85.00 and is usually paid direct by the Funeral Director.  • Where fees are paid to you by the PCC this will happen within 4 weeks of the wedding or funeral. 

• If it is requested that another organist should play for a wedding or funeral your agreement will first  be sought. If you are agreeable, you will still be offered the fee as if you had played. 

Renumeration and Expenses: 

• You will receive renumeration of £6,000.00 per year, payable monthly in arrears direct into your  bank account. Your renumeration will be reviewed each year with effect from 1 January. Payment  will be made subject to any tax deductions, national insurance and other amounts we may be re quired by law to deduct, or which you authorise us to deduct. 

• You will not be entitled to expenses unless agreed in advance.  

Holiday: 

You will be entitled to 6 weeks paid holiday per calendar year (usually August, after Christmas and  after Easter, or pro rata where you join or leave during the calendar year) and up to 3 Sundays annual ly during term time when a fee will be paid to a replacement organist. For any Sundays above this  number, you may be expected to cover the fee after discussion with your line manager. 

Private use of organ: 

You will have unlimited use if available. You may also use it to give lessons if previously agreed. You  are entitled to keep all fees received from giving lessons at Holy Trinity.  

Pension: 

West Hereford Team does not operate a pension scheme for this appointment.  Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Clearance: 

The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. 

APPLY TODAY!

Applications by covering letter and CV to Prebendary Ruth Hulse at

revruthhulse@gmail.com by Monday 4th March 2024.