Contact:
Will Dawes
Email:
wjbdawes@gmail.com
Address:
St Mary Magdalen Church
Locality:
Oxford
Postcode/Zip:
OX1 3AE
Musical Requirements:
St Mary Magdalen’s (www.stmarymagdalenoxford.org.uk) is a high profile Anglo-Catholic parish church in the centre of Oxford with a long musical tradition. We are currently seeking an Organist to join us by January 1st 2024 to follow on from Dan Mathieson, who is leaving us to take up the position of Head of Music Outreach and Assistant Organist at Chester Cathedral.
The Organist works with the Director of Music and Vicar in maintaining the high standard of liturgy and music with which St Mary Magdalen’s has long been associated. Working alongside the Director of Music, the Organist is responsible for all playing at all sung services, and will be remunerated at a rate of £75 per regular service. Whilst the post has recently been taken by a number of excellent ex-Oxford organ scholars, this is not a prerequisite of the role. However, since an Organist is always present at the 10.30am High Mass on every Sunday of the year, residence in or near to Oxford would be advantageous. It is also desirable for the successful candidate to have previously worked in a setup with a high standard of music and liturgy. Ideally, the successful candidate will be present for the vast majority of Sundays in the year, though absence on occasion is understood, and expected. The Organist is responsible for ensuring that adequate cover is provided if so.
The choir consists of 8 paid singers, two each of soprano, alto, tenor and bass. It sings at the 10.30am High Mass on Sundays, occasional other feasts, and at other special services. It is in residence from late September until Christmas Day, early January until Easter Day, and late April up until the closest Sunday to July 22nd. The choir rehearses from 9.15am on Sunday mornings. The organist normally joins during the rehearsal if an accompaniment is needed. Otherwise, they only need to arrive by 10.15am, to start playing before the service. When the choir is not in residence, one singer acts as the Cantor, and meets with the Organist at c.9.45am.
There are occasional mid-week services (All Souls, Ash Wednesday etc.) plus numerous special services, the latter paid at special rates (£165). The Organist is offered first refusal on all special services both at Mary Mags and in the wider community for which the choir is engaged.
There is no necessity to be a conductor - that said, there are frequent opportunities to direct the choir if this would be of interest, when the fee for the combined role of playing and directing the choir would be £140. The Organist is also able to use the organ for teaching or similar activities at any time when the church is not otherwise being used.
For more information, or to apply,
please contact the Director of Music, Will Dawes by phone: 07989 856251 or by email: wjbdawes@gmail.com
The deadline for applications is September 22nd
with auditions/interviews taking place on 11th October (eve).