ORGANIST's Post

We are currently looking to appoint a new organist following Helen's move to Baildon. Take a look through the below job specifications with details of how to apply.

On the first three Sundays in the month, the morning service at St Mary’s is a eucharist with traditional and modern hymns, a sung communion setting and usually a choir anthem. On the fourth Sunday of the month, our worship, Praise@Ten, is a more informal lay lead service with modern worship songs, mostly played on the piano. These services are at 10am.

The organ is a Viscount Physis Digital Organ (installed 2011) and a we have a small committed SATB choir which is affiliated to the RSCM.

In addition to the Sunday morning service, there are additional services at the major festivals - Advent Sunday, a Carol Service on the Sunday before Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, All Souls’ Day - and a choral evensong for our Patronal Festival in August.

St Mary’s is a popular venue for weddings and there were eight in 2019. Funerals usually range from approximately ten per year under normal circumstances.

The choir currently consists of 10 adults - two tenors, three altos and five sopranos. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings between 8pm - 9.15pm.

The role of organist includes liaising with the vicar and worship planning teams about music regarding different events and services. Also, organising the choir to sing at weddings, funerals and other services, as well as arranging organist cover during holiday periods.

The organist’s honorarium is £2,200 p.a. Fees for weddings are £90 and funerals £75. The organ is also available outside service times for private music tuition.

There is a probationary period of six months. During the probationary period, the notice is one month on either side, after that the notice period is three months on either side.

Applications will be accepted by email to the Reverend Ian Sparks - priest@luddendenchurch.org.uk - or in writing to The Vicarage, Carr Field Drive, Luddenden, Halifax, HX2 6RJ.