ORGAN SCHOLARSHIPS 2022-23 (x2) - 1 Senior Organ Scholar and 1 Organ Scholar

Liverpool Cathedral are requesting applications for the above posts, which are ideal for an outstanding undergraduate student, or a post graduate student taking a year out.

The appointments are from September 2022 to August 2023 with the option of a further year if progress is satisfactory.

The salary for the scholarships is £5000 p.a. paid by monthly instalments. There is shared accommodation provided for choral scholars and the organ scholars in Cathedral Close. This is free and council tax is paid but other bills will need to be paid by the residents.

Auditions and interviews to be held in February 2022. All successful candidates from audition will be invited to attend an interview at a date to be agreed.

This role requires the completion of an enhanced DBS.

The Organ Scholars will be fully involved in the busy life of the Music Department, under the direction of the Director of Music, and the Cathedral Organist Professor Ian Tracey.

• The department is a friendly and welcoming one and a number of social events are part of the experience. The scholars will be welcome and encouraged to join the cathedral´s youth group (18-25) known as the Overcrofters and are also encouraged to audition for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir (conductor, Ian Tracey) which works with the world´s greatest conductors and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir.

• This position will be particularly attractive to candidates considering a portfolio career, including some work in schools as part of the cathedral’s extensive outreach programme and in teaching piano or organ.

The Organ Scholars are entitled to take holidays, by negotiation with the Director of Music, within choir holiday periods, which are ten days after both Christmas and Easter, six days at each of the three half terms and seven weeks in the summer. However, the Organ Scholars are expected to take their place on the roster as a duty organist in holiday periods when worship is maintained by visiting choirs.

Liverpool is a very active musical centre and there are usually plenty of opportunities for additional freelance organ and keyboard work.

In addition, there will be a small number of occasions each term when the Organ Scholars will be asked to assist with the choral outreach programme, including the cathedral’s Junior and Youth choirs and adult community choir.

Scholarship Summary:

Under the direction of the Director of Music you will be fully involved in the busy life of the Music Department and the Cathedral Organist showing a willingness to be flexible as follows:

• To help with the training and accompaniment of the cathedrals’ choirs as per the schedule below. The duties are shared between the two Organ Scholars.
• To attend and assist at all choral rehearsals and services, either as rehearsal accompanist, organist, conductor, or all three of these as per the schedule below.
• Assist in the training and supervision of the choristers and probationers, the training of the four choral students and some administrative tasks (such as assisting the librarian, assisting the choir guardians etc.).
• On a number of occasions each term you will assist with the choral outreach programme, visiting schools and taking part in concerts and workshops.
• As Organ Scholar you can expect to be invited by the Cathedral Organist to give an organ recital in the Summer Series during your year in post.

N.B. You may also be asked to sing in the choir for occasional services.

Organ Scholar weekly schedule

Monday Choir rehearsal and evensong 4.00 - 6.15pm – arrive at 3.30pm

Tuesday Scholar rehearsal (at a time TBC) - one Organ Scholar required

Choir rehearsal and evensong 4.00 - 6.15pm – arrive at 3.30pm

Wednesday Junior Choir and GSS 3.30 – 7.15pm (one Organ Scholar required)

Thursday Scholar rehearsal (at a time TBC) - one Organ Scholar required Choir rehearsal and evensong 4.00 - 6.15pm– arrive at 3.30pm

Friday Scholar rehearsal (at a time TBC) - one Organ Scholar required

Choir rehearsal and evensong 4.00 - 6.15pm – arrive at 3.30pm

Saturday Probationers rehearsal 12.30 - 1.30pm

Choir rehearsal and evensong 2.00 - 4.00pm

Sunday Choir rehearsal and Eucharist 8.45 - 11.45am

Probationer rehearsal 1.00 - 1.45pm

Choir rehearsal and evensong 2.00 - 4.00pm

The Cathedral Organ is a world renowned five manual 1926 Willis III instrument to which the Organ Scholars can be allowed access for rehearsal, along with the other resident Cathedral Organists, as the Cathedral diary allows. There is also a fine 2 manual 1910 Willis II, rebuilt by David Wells of Liverpool in 1993, (complete with 32’ pedal reed,) in the Lady Chapel; this is available to the Organ Scholars on a daily basis for practice and teaching.

Lessons can be arranged with the Cathedral Organist or the Director of Music according to availability.

Our Cathedral Choirs and our Music Department are structured as follows:

Cathedral Choirs

Cathedral Boys’ choir

Cathedral Girls’ choir

Cathedral Voluntary Choir (sings during some choir holidays)

6 Vicars Choral and 6 Choral Scholars

4 Choral Students (aged 14-15)

Cathedral Junior Choir

Gilbert Scott Singers

Liverpool24 – an auditioned ensemble of 16 singers and 8 instrumentalists associated with the Cathedrals’ 2024 appeal.

Liverpool64 – an adult community choir from age 19-90

Will be punctual, reliable and respectful at all times. They will be personable and honest in all of their work and tasks.

The successful candidates will show an excellent example.

They will keep their accommodation clean and tidy and have respect for neighbours on campus.

The post holder must be in sympathy with the aims and ethos of the Church of England.