Organist and Director of Music | Making Music

Organist and Director of Music

Application deadline: 
Sunday, 14 September 2025
Description of vacancy: 

For further information or to apply, please contact:
srafrental-stringsclub@yahoo.com

 

The basic skills required are:

to be able to accompany congregational singing of hymns on the organ;

to be able to play preludes and postludes before and after services, neither of which need be complex pieces;

to be a highly competent keyboard player, though there is no requirement to have passed formal exams; and

to have the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and lead a church choir.
The village of Youlgreave and the wider community includes plenty of able singers. It is not expected that the choir would sing every Sunday. Examples of what a choir leader could do include:

leading a choir to sing evensong, possibly in unison, starting with the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis and developing to sing other parts of the service;

leading a choir to sing an anthem (in two or four parts) during a service of Holy Communion;

teaching the congregation to sing a setting of the Gloria during a service of Holy Communion; and

liaising with the church primary school to ensure the musical training and inclusion of local children in church singing.
The church has a Kirkland and Jardine two-manual organ, which is maintained in good order. The National Pipe Organ Register specification for it is here: https://npor.org.uk/survey/N05369. There is also a clavinova, which can be used for smaller congregations and playing more modern pieces; we are open to working with a pianist who is keen to develop organ skills. Our church is central and inclusive. Music during services includes traditional hymns and more modern worship songs. We aim to provide a broad spectrum of services through the month.

Fees for regular services up to £6,000 per year, depending on experience and amount of time to be committed each month, plus fees from weddings and funerals at customary rates.
The position is for a self employed person, with funding for up to 3 years initially and would suit:

a student;

a person who has other work during the week, whether music teaching or something completely different;

a retired person; or

a person who falls into all or none of the categories above – we are very open minded!
For further information or to apply, please contact:
srafrental-stringsclub@yahoo.com

Location: 
All Saints Church
Church Street Youlgreave
DE45 1WN Bakewell, Derbyshire
United Kingdom