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Organ Scholarship available at Sheffield Cathedral and the University of Sheffield

Sheffield Cathedral and the University of Sheffield seek to appoint a joint Organ Scholar starting in September 2011.

The Organ Scholarship is currently worth between £2700 and £3100 per annum, and is available to any undergraduate or postgraduate student studying at the Department of Music at the University of Sheffield. The post is tenable for one year, but is renewable for up to three. The Organ Scholar’s duties require him/her to be resident in Sheffield for both University and choir terms, the latter including Christmas and Easter Day.

About the City, Cathedral and University

Sheffield is England’s fourth largest city, with the wealth of facilities you would expect to find in a major city. It prides itself on a rich cultural heritage boasting award-winning theatres, art galleries, the largest independent cinema outside London, and is a hub of musical activity providing numerous opportunities for participation.

The University of Sheffield is one of the country's leading universities, regularly confirmed by university league tables. The Department of Music is located at the heart of the University campus, in close proximity to the city centre. It provides undergraduate and postgradulate study for over 200 students. The Department is one of the UK's leading music departments for teaching and research. In the last assessment, the Department ranked joint 4th in the UK for research and the vast majority of its research was classified as 'world-leading' and 'internationally excellent'.

Sheffield Cathedral is the city’s oldest building, the ancient heart of a great city. As with most cathedrals in England, there has been a choir at Sheffield Cathedral for centuries, with the tradition remaining as strong today as ever. Choral music forms a central part of worship at Sheffield Cathedral, with around 40 boys, girls and men singing regular services as well as performing for a wide variety of special occasions in the Cathedral and beyond.

Duties at Sheffield Cathedral

The duties the Organ Scholar undertakes at Sheffield Cathedral are designed to offer an all-round experience of the work of a cathedral musician. To this end the Director of Music and Assistant Director of Music offer supervision and training of the Organ Scholar as appropriate in all areas of the musical life of the Cathedral. Through regular discussion and agreement, the post will be tailored to the particular strengths and interests of the post-holder.

The normal weekly routine (on weekdays, Evensong is sung Tuesday-Friday at 1745, on Sundays services are 1030 and 1830):

Tuesday	1715-1830	Rehearsal and Evensong (sung by the Songmen)
Wednesday	1630-1830 1830-1930	Rehearsal and Evensong (sung by either Girls or Boys) Rehearsal (Boys, only if Evensong has been sung by Girls)
Thursday	1630-1830 1830-1900	Rehearsal and Evensong (Girls and Men) Songmens’ rehearsal
Friday	1630-1715 1630-1830	Probationer practice Rehearsal and Evensong (Boys and Men)
Saturday	0930-1100	Rehearsal (Girls)
Sunday	0930-1145 1730-1930	Rehearsal and Sung Eucharist (Boys and Men or Girls and Men) Rehearsal and Evensong (details as above + probationer practice, 1730 - 1750)

There are times when this routine may change, especially around busy liturgical periods (Christmas, Easter.)

In an average week, the Organ Scholar might reasonably be expected to attend all sung services and rehearsals immediately preceding those services; to accompany one service (possibly more as time goes on); to take either or both of the probationer practices; and to deputise for either the Director or Assistant Director of Music in their absence.

Duties at the University of Sheffield, Department of Music

It is envisioned that the Organ Scholar will take an active role in the musical life of the department, participating in a busy programme of concerts, rehearsals, lectures, instrumental lessons and other events. More specifically:

Accompany a limited number of examined student recitals
Perform a solo recital once a term as part of the University Concert Series, and occasional other recitals as required.
Accompany and occasionally direct chamber choir rehearsals, and concerts
Occasionally provide piano accompaniment in students’ instrumental lessons
Provide assistance to students studying modules in Piano Accompaniment and Ensemble Skills
Provide assistance with the University and Cathedral Summer Music and Arts Festival

Benefits for the post holder

The rare combination of undertaking a cathedral organ scholarship, whilst residing in a busy vibrant city, and receiving a musical education from one of the country’s leading universities
Have free access to the Cathedral and University organs
Have the opportunity to rehearse, accompany and occasionally direct the Cathedral Choirs, and University Chamber Choir
Have the opportunity to take an equal share in any special Cathedral services (weddings, funerals, carol services for outside organizations) and University events, civic services, carol services, and graduations. Additional fees are often applicable.
Be encouraged to attend and participate in recordings and national broadcasts with the Cathedral Choirs
Participate in international tours with the Cathedral Choirs, with travel and accommodation costs waivered. (In the last 10 years, the Cathedral Choirs have visited the USA, Paris, Holland, Germany, France and Hungary, together with several cathedrals within the UK.
Free regular organ lessons, with the encouragement to learn from various tutors. Previous organ scholars have had lessons with Gordon Stewart, David Briggs and Colin Walsh.

Further information

For further information, please contact:

Neil Taylor

Director of Music

The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul

Church Street

Sheffield

S1 1HA

Tel: 0114 263 6069

Fax: 0114 279 7412

Email: neil.taylor@sheffieldcathedral.org.uk

or visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/music for further information about the University Department of Music .