Lay Vicar (Tenor)

Our Vision, Ambition and Values

Vision

Our vision for [Employer hidden] is to create Sacred Space in which the holiness of God is encountered in an open and inclusive way and Common Ground where issues shared by the whole of humanity can be explored.

Ambition

Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we work to build a welcoming, inclusive and engaging environment that, through the delivery of a diverse and inspiring programme of worship, events, educational activities and community outreach, fulfils and spiritually enriches all who experience [Employer hidden].

Values

Love & Unity

We care for one another with compassion and kindness and our work is embedded in a spirit of love and cooperation as we come together to succeed in our mission for the cathedral.

Dignity & Respect

We respect others and value diversity, embracing our similarities and differences with gentleness, self-control and a willingness to learn. We welcome expressions of spirituality, respecting and valuing those with different faiths or no faith.

Accountability & Integrity

We act with honesty, openness and integrity in everything we do. We use the resources entrusted to us wisely and effectively with transparency and accountability. We demand high standards of professionalism from ourselves every day, always striving to deliver excellence in our work.

Creativity & Courage

We are bold and challenge ourselves and others to question the norm. We explore new options and take intelligent risks, confident that we do so in a supportive environment. Committed to continual development, we embrace change and nurture personal growth.

Function Description

Function Title Lay Vicar (Tenor)

Hours of Work 400 hours per annum, mostly during academic term time

Salary £8,488pa

Line manager Director of Music

Overview and general duties

[Employer hidden] is situated in the centre of the city and was consecrated in 1887.

The Cathedral Choir consists of 18 boy choristers, 18 girl choristers, 7 Lay Vicars and 5 Choral Scholars. The boys (aged 8 to 13) and girls (aged 13 to 18) are educated at Truro School. Christopher Gray is the Organist and Director of Music and Joseph Wicks is the Assistant Director of Music. There is a flourishing choral scholarship scheme which was started in September 1995.

At the heart of the choir’s duties are the 7 sung services each week during term time (6 of which involve Lay Vicars), as well as special services in the periods leading up to and including Christmas and Easter.

Tours have taken the choir to Germany, the Isles of Scilly, Sweden, Spain, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. As well as regular appearances on Radio 3’s Choral Evensong programme, the choir has sung live on BBC1 as well as recording for BBC1, BBC2 and BBC4.

The choir records regularly for Regent Records. Recent releases have included music from the time of the First World War (including Parry’s Songs of Farewell), music composed for [Employer hidden] by leading contemporary composers, and single-composer discs of music by Benjamin Britten, Louis Vierne, Maurice Duruflé, Philip Stopford and Gabriel Jackson. The choir’s first DVD was released in 2015. The choir has recorded with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the BBC Concert Orchestra.

The choir regularly webcasts services and has a large following for these on Soundcloud.

A substantial body of new music has been written specially for [Employer hidden] Choir in the past few years by, among others, Dobrinka Tabakova, David Bednall, David Briggs, Graham Fitkin, Howard Goodall, James MacMillan, Russell Pascoe, Howard Skempton, Richard Shephard and Philip Stopford.

As the choir’s adult professional singers, Lay Vicars play an important part in all of the activities described above.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• To sing the regular services and associated rehearsals during the choir terms*
• To sing at additional occasional services and associated rehearsals**
• To sing on DVD recordings, CD recordings and broadcast services, and at weddings, memorial services, concerts and festivals ***
• To undertake private preparation of music in your own time for rehearsals and performances
• To maintain consistently high vocal standards
• To perform as a confident and authoritative soloist and as a proficient ensemble singer
• To maintain high standards of punctuality and personal organisation
• To demonstrate an aptitude for team working and for working with children
• To provide guidance and support in a practical and professional way to other Lay Vicars and to Choral Scholars
• To have excellent personal presentation
• To provide and wear black shoes for services
• To undertake necessary steps to maintain the quality of your singing voice (a limited amount of singing tuition can be provided, at the expense of the Chapter)
• To participate in periodic appraisals in line with Chapter policy

It is anticipated that a Lay Vicar will have other employment or be self-employed in addition to their work at the cathedral.

Lay Vicars are encouraged to participate in choir tours when they arise. No additional fees are payable for these.

*There is normally a two-week pattern for these as follows:

Week A

Monday 5.00pm rehearsal for 5.30pm service, finished by 6.15pm

Tuesday 5.00pm rehearsal for 5.30pm service, finished by 6.15pm

Wednesday 5.00pm rehearsal for 5.30pm service, followed by tea and then a rehearsal for altos, tenors and basses, finished by 7.00pm

Thursday No duties

Friday 5.00pm rehearsal for 5.30pm service, finished by 6.15pm

Sunday 9.05am rehearsal for 10.00am service, finished by 11.35am; 3.30pm rehearsal for 4.00pm Evensong, finished by 5.10pm.

Week B

Monday No duties

Tuesday 5.00pm rehearsal for 5.30pm service, finished by 6.15pm

Wednesday 5.00pm rehearsal for 5.30pm service, followed by tea and then a rehearsal for altos, tenors and basses, finished by 7.00pm

Thursday 5.00pm rehearsal for 5.30pm service, finished by 6.15pm

Friday 5.00pm rehearsal for 5.30pm service, finished by 6.15pm

Sunday 9.05am rehearsal for 10.00am service, finished by 11.35am; 3.30pm rehearsal for 4.00pm Evensong, finished by 5.10pm

**These include:

• The Old Choristers’ Association Evensong, usually on a Saturday in September (there is a service off in lieu)

• The Diocesan Choral Festival, usually on a Saturday in October (there is a service off in lieu)

• A Requiem Mass on a Sunday in November

• The Advent Carol Service on a Sunday in December and Christmas services on 23rd, 24th and 25th December

• Maundy Thursday Eucharist; The Liturgy on Good Friday morning (in addition to Evensong); The Liturgy on Easter Day at 5.30am (rehearsal at 5.15am)

• The Ordination of Priests service on a Saturday in June or July

• A live broadcast of Choral Evensong on BBC Radio 3, usually on a Wednesday at 3.30pm (rehearsal at 1.30pm)

*** These include:

Broadcasts

• Live broadcasts of Choral Evensong on BBC Radio 3, usually on a Wednesday at 3.30pm (rehearsal at 1.30pm).

Concerts

• A concert each term (usually in December, March and June). Additional fees are payable and there is a service off in lieu.

• Two or three concerts each year at parish churches in Cornwall. No additional fees are payable but travel costs are reimbursed at the cathedral’s standard rate. There is a service off in lieu.

Recordings

• The Choir typically records one CD each year. This usually takes place in four recording sessions on consecutive weekdays from 5.00pm to 8.00pm. No additional fees are payable.

Additional responsibilities

• To ensure compliance with relevant legislation and statutory codes of practice, as advised

• To attend regular periodic safeguarding training approved or arranged by the cathedral

• To be aware at all times of the importance of discretion in conduct and behaviour, especially with all those under the age of 19

• To have a sympathetic attitude to the Cathedral and uphold its vision and values

• To ensure that professional skills are regularly updated through participation in training and development activities, which may include periods of professional singing work outside of the cathedral

• Any other duties as may be reasonably required with mutual consent and adequate compensation.

General

1. The use of mobile devices is not permitted during rehearsals or services

2. Attend and participate in training courses as directed.

3. Maintain confidentiality at all times.

4. Take a positive and active part in the cathedral’s annual appraisal/review system.

5. Uphold the cathedral’s values.

6. Adhere to [Employer hidden]’s policies and procedures.

7. Other duties as are necessary for the smooth running of the business.

8. This job description will be subject to regular review and amended to meet the changing needs of the cathedral.

Person specification

Essential Desirable

Demonstrate a high level of musicianship, Experience of singing in a cathedral style

ability and experience as a choral singer choir

Demonstrate a sympathy with the ethos Degree/postgraduate and/or a music

of the cathedral, its worship and choral diploma level of education

tradition

Good sight-reading skills

Good technical vocal skills that enable the

execution of required duties of this role

Good organisational and interpersonal

skills

A positive approach to team work and

innovation

Ability to maintain professional

boundaries when working with children

Punctual, reliable with a positive outlook

Flexible in response to changing

circumstances

A responsible and proactive approach for

own personal development

Terms & Conditions

Function Title Lay Vicar (Tenor)

Contract Permanent

Salary £8,488pa

Hours of work 400 hours per year

Holiday 58 hours per year

Line Manager Director of Music

Place of work [Employer hidden]

Probation The post will be subject to a 6-month probationary period, during which time, either party may give the other one month’s written notice

Pension You will automatically be enrolled on the government’s Nest pension scheme, but can opt out if you wish. Following six months' employment, you will be eligible to enrol on the Church Workers Pension Scheme.

Smoking The cathedral operates a no-smoking policy

Health & Safety All staff are required to follow the policies and procedures set out in the team handbook

Equal [Employer hidden] operates under the principles of Equal Opportunities Opportunity, insisting on and promoting equality of opportunity and access to all, regardless of age, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or impairment, income, education, religious beliefs or cultural heritage. This applies to all we do, including our campaigns and employment practices, membership of committees, all stages of recruitment or selection processes, working practices, conditions of work, and allocation of resources.

Safeguarding Safeguarding – Everyone Matters – Everyone’s Responsibility

[Employer hidden] strives to be trauma-informed and is committed to developing safer policies, cultures and practices. [Employer hidden]’s safeguarding policy provides a framework to promote the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable adults. It is available at www.trurocathedral.org.uk or in the company documents area of BreatheHR.

Training: The postholder will be expected to attend safeguarding training up to ‘Basic Awareness, ‘Foundations’ or ‘Leadership’ level, dependent on the post applied for. This will be arranged by the cathedral and may be required before a start date can be agreed.