The River Ash Benefice in East Hertfordshire is seeking a Director of Music. This entails taking charge of music at St Andrew’s Church, Much Hadham, and, at least in the short term, playing for services at the other two churches in the Benefice (the weekly Sunday eucharist is rotating between the three churches at present). Music is very much appreciated by the clergy and congregation at the church. A new Priest-in-charge has just been appointed and is expected to continue the weekly Sunday service with extra services for at Christmas, Holy Week, Ascension Day etc. and occasional events such as ‘Hymns and a Beer’. Churchmanship is middle of the road Anglican.
There is a small upper voice choir that sings a wide range of music, including plainsong and music written in the 20th and 21st centuries. They currently practice for 45 minutes on a Saturday morning, but there may be some flexibility here. There is a good two manual organ and a reasonable upright piano in St Andrew’s, together with simple but regularly maintained and played organs in the two smaller churches.
The other churches are St Cecilia’s Little Hadham, Church End, Little Hadham SG11 2DY and St Mary’s Albury, SG11 2JQ.
NPOR (National Pipe Organ Register) https://npor.org.uk/survey/D01753 (St Andrew’s); https://npor.org.uk/survey/D02224 (St Cecilia’s); https://npor.org.uk/survey/D01765 (St Mary’s).
There is a small music library, that could be expanded in discussion with the Treasurer. St Andrew’s uses A&M, the other two churches use Common Praise.
Person Specification
- Ability to play hymns, Eucharist settings sung by the congregation, choral music, and to improvise and play voluntaries before, during and after services on the organ.
- Ability to rehearse a small choir and direct them in singing musical items in services (45 minutes a week, day/time TBA).
- We would like to explore the opportunities to develop the choir both for regular services and for special occasions.
- Well-organised, in order to plan music to be sung in services, including hymns and other music in conjunction with the Priest-in-charge, and music for the choir to sing.
- Ability to work harmoniously with the Priest-in-charge, Churchwardens, Parish Administrator, and other people throughout the church.
- Responsibility for liaising with those who maintain the organ and piano in St Andrew’s in liaison with the PCC Treasurer.
- Ideally Christian, does not need to be a practising Anglican, but some familiarity with liturgy and an empathy with Christian ethos are desirable.
The post will be remunerated via a contract for services (£ TBA, based on RSCM published advice for rural parishes outside London) so may suit someone in other employment. The PCCs will find and fund an alternate for 4 Sundays each year; otherwise the post holder will be asked to organise an alternate. The parish office holds a list of alternates.
Extra services such as weddings and funerals will be offered to the post holder initially with specific fees; the parish office will find alternative organists if necessary.