Organ Scholar

DIOCESE OF WESTMINSTER; Greater London; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to Henry Willis III Grand Organ

Discounts through Edenred

Low-cost loans with Churches Mutual

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

The Diocese of Westminster invites applications for a post-graduate Organ Scholar at Westminster Cathedral, starting 1 September 2027. The Scholar will access the Grand Organ for performance, practice, and recitals, accompany the choir, and assist the Assistant Master of Music at principal services.

Residents in Vaughan House will participate in cathedral life, direct Lay Clerks at Vespers and Mass when required, act as Choir Librarian, and help with music department administration and concert

Qualifications

• Post-graduate level applicants preferred.
• Hold at least the diploma of Associate of the Royal College of Organists (or equivalent).
• Career aims in church music are encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Play and practice the Grand Organ and accompany the choir.
• Recitals as part of the weekly concert series.
• Direct Lay Clerks at Vespers and Mass when required; assist the Master of Music.

Skills

Organ performance

Choir accompaniment

Education

Diploma of Associate of the Royal College of Organists

Job description

“Every aspect of the beauty of the Cathedral has a key part to play, its architecture, its art and especially its music, for music rises in and enriches the soul of humanity whenever our greatest endeavours and aspirations are being contemplated and expressed.”

+HE Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Charter for Sacred Music, 2021

Westminster Cathedral intends to appoint a post-graduate Organ Scholar with effect from 1 September 2027.

What you’ll be doing

The Grand Organ of Westminster Cathedral is considered by many to be the greatest achievement and crowning glory of Henry Willis III, one of England’s finest organ builders – and our Organ Scholar has privileged access to it for both performance and practice, playing a variety of services, accompanying the choir and giving recitals as part of the weekly concert series. The successful candidate will also act as registrant and assistant to the Assistant Master of Music at principal services.

Westminster Cathedral Choir is acclaimed as one of the world’s great choirs. The Cathedral’s founder, Cardinal Vaughan, intended its liturgies to be enriched with the finest music available and for the Choir to be the ‘jewel in the crown’ of English Catholicism. The Choir draws its repertoire from a rich seam of music written especially for Catholic liturgy, and plainchant is the well-spring from which the Choir’s musical activities flow. As Organ Scholar you will play a part in this fine tradition, directing the Lay Clerks at Vespers and Mass when required and assisting in the training of Choristers. You will also act as Choir Librarian.

Additionally, the Organ Scholar will be responsible for the smooth running of the Music Department in regards to helping to prepare and distribute material for departmental activities, the administration of concert series and the organisation, and accompaniment as required, of visiting choirs.

What we’re looking for

The scholarship is usually awarded to post-graduates who hold at least the diploma of Associate of the Royal College of Organists (or equivalent standard), and who intend to seek a career in church music. The scholarship will be of particular interest to those who seek to further their experience of music within the Roman Catholic liturgy.

As a resident in the Clergy House, the Organ Scholar will be expected to take an active interest in the general life of the Cathedral. Although it is not a requirement that Organ Scholars should be Roman Catholic, they should be in sympathy with the Catholic ethos and identity of both the House and the Cathedral.

What we offer you

The Scholarship provides a unique opportunity to learn from accomplished professional church musicians at the highest level by working closely with them on a day-to-day basis, and offers valuable experience of the rich musical heritage of the Catholic Church. Several previous holders of the Scholarship have subsequently developed successful careers in the field of church music.

In return for your hard work and commitment to us, you will receive a competitive reward package which will include, but is not limited to:

• Discounts scheme through Edenred-shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets gift cards and much more
• Working in one of London’s most iconic landmarks, and access to the famous Henry Willis III Grand Organ.
• Access to low cost loans with Churches Mutual
• Employee assistance programme– free, independent 24/7 help and advice for work-related issues as well as problems affecting home life.

Who are we?

We are the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster, a faith-based charity with offices close to Victoria Train and Underground Station andjust a short walk from St James Park and Westminster Underground stations.

We are home to the Archbishop of Westminster (Cardinal Vincent Nichols) & our beautiful Westminster Cathedral. We are one of the leading Catholic dioceses in the country, delivering our charitable mission through our network of 208 schools in which over 90,000 pupils attend daily, 212 parishes and several hundred social justice initiatives. We seek to positively impact the lives of all members of society.

Our core values are Competence, Reliability, Honesty, Perseverance & Love.

Our values are at the centre of everything we do and as such we are looking for an Organ Scholar who is able to clearly demonstrate and evidence them

Our people are our most important asset and we value and respect diversity in all its forms (seen and unseen). We particularly welcome applications from those from Black and Asian backgrounds, as well as candidates with disabilities and from the communities in which we work. We would like to increase representation of these groups among our staff as we know greater diversity will lead to an even greater impact for our work.

Find Us

Address
Human Resources Department,
Vaughan House,
46 Francis Street,
London SW1P 1QN.

Telephone
020 7798 9001

Hours
Monday—Friday: 9:00AM–5:00PM

About This Site

This is the official website of the Human Resources Department of the Diocese of Westminster.