Contact:
Phil Johnson
Email:
music@wantageparish.com
Phone:
07841 457524
Address:
The Parish Church of Ss Peter and Paul, Wantage, Oxfordshire
Locality:
Wantage
Postcode/Zip:
OX12 8AJ
Musical Requirements:
Duties & Responsibilities:
1. To play the organ at all principal services at the Parish Church each Sunday.
2. To play the organ for Eucharist at Holy Trinity on a rota once per month.
3. To play the organ at services on the principal Festivals.
4. To play the organ at other public services when reasonably requested to do so by the Incumbent (an additional fee will be payable).
5. To play the organ at concerts given by the Choir.
6. To accompany the Choir at choir practices, when required to do so by the Director of Music.
See attached Schedule A for more information regarding 1. to 6. above.
7. To prepare termly lists of organ voluntaries for approval by the Director of Music.
8. To direct the Choir in rehearsal and services in the absence of the Director of Music.
9. To be co-responsible for the care and maintenance of the Parish's organ and other musical instruments alongside the Director of Music.
10. To assist the Director of Music in the training and supervision the Organ and Choral Scholars.
11. To attend meetings as and when required.
12. To support the Director of Music, Clergy, and PCC in the development of music within the Parish in order to enhance our provision for the worship of God.
13. To undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required, commensurate with the role.
Person Specification:
Essential
1. Accomplished organist of ABRSM Grade 8 standard (or equivalent)
2. Accomplished sight-reader and accompanist
3. Relevant experience of church music and an understanding of the roles of music within worship
4. Previous experience of directing choir rehearsals and/or performances
5. Encouraging and communicative
6. Accepting of all people, and willing to work inclusively regardless of race, gender, sexuality, age, background, etc.
7. Recognises the importance of the pastoral responsibilities of the Organist, and willing to engage to guide, care for, and help others within the Choir and church community
8. Creative and organised
9. The post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references in line with Safer Recruitment practice.
Desirable
1. Knowledge of the Anglo-Catholic liturgy
2. Experience of working with children
3. Willingness to become an active member of the congregation
4. Associate level diploma in organ performance
Other details:
General Context:
The Parish of Wantage has a tradition stemming from the catholic revival of the nineteenth century, although a wide range of church traditions is represented in the congregation. The parish consists of two churches: the Parish Church and Holy Trinity, Charlton. Both follow a similar liturgy, but the Sunday morning service at Holy Trinity is smaller and slightly more relaxed, with hymns and congregational settings. At the Parish Church of Ss Peter and Paul, the Sunday morning Choral Eucharist is supported by altar servers and choir. We have a monthly Choral Evensong, normally followed by Benediction, at the Parish Church.
We rejoice in human diversity seeking to be fully inclusive in every aspect of the church’s life and ministry. We aspire to make our services as open and accessible as possible, welcoming all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Parish Choir celebrates the Anglican choral tradition and is held to be amongst the best in the Diocese. It has 35 adult choristers, and 10 junior choristers. The Parish is currently on a recruitment drive to expand the Junior Choir, and to establish a Young People’s Choir. The choir has an annual tour, normally alternating between a week residency at a UK cathedral and a more varied tour elsewhere in Europe. The choir plays an important part in attracting new members to the congregation and offers a number of concerts and fundraising events each year. Most members of the choir are parishioners foremost, fully Integrated into the broader life and mission of the church. A separate charity (the Wantage Parish Music Guild) supports the musical education of young people, including choral and organ scholarships. There is a monthly Choral Evensong and there are carol services for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.
The Parish family enjoys a varied and vibrant social programme, with regular quizzes, suppers, concerts, and other social gatherings, such as the “Wantage Wassail”, a lively annual Christmas party, held in church. On the third Friday of each month the choir, alongside partners and other members of our church community, visit Sylheti curry-house next door following choir practice. Guests often comment that this is a Parish that knows how to have fun.
We have a warm relationship with the Community of St Mary the Virgin in Wantage, singing occasional services in their chapel and valuing their prayers for us. Their convent, founded by the renowned Vicar of Wantage William John Butler, is one of the oldest orders of Women Religious in the Church of England and has recently been undergoing exciting redevelopment, including modernised guest accommodation.
Safeguarding:
Promoting a safer church
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy the Parish is committed to:
• Promoting a safer environment and culture
• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church
• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons
• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons
• Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others
The Parish:
• Has a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures
• Ensures that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities
• Displays in church premises and on the front page of the parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs
• Ensures that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually