Contact:
Music Director
Email:
camdenmusicdirector@rcdow.org.uk
Address:
Our Lady of Hal Church Camden Town
Locality:
London
Postcode/Zip:
NW1 7EX
Musical Requirements:
ORGANIST REQUIRED
Advent & Christmas 2026
Fee: £750
Our Lady of Hal Roman Catholic Church, Camden, London
We are seeking an accomplished professional organist to accompany our octet of professional singers (Hal Singers) for Advent and Christmas liturgies, with scope for further engagements in 2027.
The successful applicant will:
Perform to at least ARCO or FRCO standard.
Have experience accompanying choirs or vocal ensembles in Catholic or Anglican liturgies.
Be confident following a conductor and responsive to the needs of singers.
Bring a warm, friendly and collaborative approach, interacting comfortably with singers and parishioners.
The instrument
A three-manual Rodgers digital organ in the English cathedral style, with professional amplification.
Repertoire and musical duties
The repertoire is currently under consideration; however, both the Advent Carol Liturgy and the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols will retain a traditional programme. Planned Mass settings include:
Midnight Mass, celebrated at 10.00pm: George Malcolm’s Missa ad Praesepe.
Christmas Morning Mass: a Mozart Mass, possibly the Sparrow Mass (Missa brevis in C, K. 220).
Five to ten minutes of organ music will be required before each liturgy. Some improvisation may be required during Mass, together with an appropriate concluding voluntary. The organist is also welcome to perform a suitable solo organ piece at each carol service, although this is optional.
Engagement schedule
The following schedule is primarily designed for the singers. Some flexibility within the rehearsal arrangements can be offered to the organist, by agreement with the Music Director.
Advent Carol Liturgy — Sunday 29 November, 3.30pm
Friday 27 November: three-hour daytime rehearsal; start time to be confirmed.
Sunday 29 November: rehearsal at 2.30pm, followed by the liturgy at 3.30pm.
All-Day Rehearsal for the Remaining Christmas Liturgies — Wednesday 16 December
Rehearsal from 10.30am to 5.30pm.
Lunch, drinks and snacks will be provided throughout the day.
Nine Lessons and Carols — Friday 18 December, 7.15pm
Christmas Eve — Thursday 24 December
Pre-Midnight Mass Carols at 9.30pm.
“Midnight Mass” at 10.00pm.
Christmas Day — Friday 25 December, 11.00am
An additional rehearsal of approximately one hour will take place immediately before each liturgy.
For singers and the organist without their own transport, accommodation and/or an Uber journey within Greater London will be provided after Midnight Mass and on Christmas Day.
How to apply
Please send your CV and a recording, preferably demonstrating your work accompanying a choir or vocal ensemble, to:
camdenmusicdirector@rcdow.org.uk
We look forward to hearing from you.
Other details:
ORGANIST REQUIRED
Advent & Christmas 2026
Fee: £750
Our Lady of Hal Roman Catholic Church, Camden, London
We are seeking an accomplished professional organist to accompany our octet of professional singers (Hal Singers) for Advent and Christmas liturgies, with scope for further engagements in 2027.
The successful applicant will:
Perform to at least ARCO or FRCO standard.
Have experience accompanying choirs or vocal ensembles in Catholic or Anglican liturgies.
Be confident following a conductor and responsive to the needs of singers.
Bring a warm, friendly and collaborative approach, interacting comfortably with singers and parishioners.
The instrument
A three-manual Rodgers digital organ in the English cathedral style, with professional amplification.
Repertoire and musical duties
The repertoire is currently under consideration; however, both the Advent Carol Liturgy and the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols will retain a traditional programme. Planned Mass settings include:
Midnight Mass, celebrated at 10.00pm: George Malcolm’s Missa ad Praesepe.
Christmas Morning Mass: a Mozart Mass, possibly the Sparrow Mass (Missa brevis in C, K. 220).
Five to ten minutes of organ music will be required before each liturgy. Some improvisation may be required during Mass, together with an appropriate concluding voluntary. The organist is also welcome to perform a suitable solo organ piece at each carol service, although this is optional.
Engagement schedule
The following schedule is primarily designed for the singers. Some flexibility within the rehearsal arrangements can be offered to the organist, by agreement with the Music Director.
Advent Carol Liturgy — Sunday 29 November, 3.30pm
Friday 27 November: three-hour daytime rehearsal; start time to be confirmed.
Sunday 29 November: rehearsal at 2.30pm, followed by the liturgy at 3.30pm.
All-Day Rehearsal for the Remaining Christmas Liturgies — Wednesday 16 December
Rehearsal from 10.30am to 5.30pm.
Lunch, drinks and snacks will be provided throughout the day.
Nine Lessons and Carols — Friday 18 December, 7.15pm
Christmas Eve — Thursday 24 December
Pre-Midnight Mass Carols at 9.30pm.
“Midnight Mass” at 10.00pm.
Christmas Day — Friday 25 December, 11.00am
An additional rehearsal of approximately one hour will take place immediately before each liturgy.
For singers and the organist without their own transport, accommodation and/or an Uber journey within Greater London will be provided after Midnight Mass and on Christmas Day.
How to apply
Please send your CV and a recording, preferably demonstrating your work accompanying a choir or vocal ensemble, to:
camdenmusicdirector@rcdow.org.uk
We look forward to hearing from you.