A vacancy has arisen for the following post:

Regular Soprano
This is an exciting opportunity to sing with one of Londons top professional church choirs. The successful candidate will be a professional singer possessing a very high level of sight-reading ability and musicianship, with
the vocal versatility and technique to cope with a demanding range of repertoire from all periods, often as part of a small ensemble or as a solo voice. The high degree of flexibility offered by the post means that applications can

be considered even from singers who have a high level of commitments to other leading professional ensembles. Applications to the deputies list will also be considered at the same time, and an appointment of a regular
deputy (a formal first-choice deputy) may also be made if a suitable candidate emerges. The Choir of St Margarets sings for a regular Eucharist service every Sunday morning as well as for a modest number of special services such as weddings, carol services and memorial services, many of them of a high-profile nature arising from the churchs role as the Parliamentary church. The choir also provides the music for weddings held in the Undercroft Chapel of the Houses of Parliament, and from time to time sings in Westminster Abbey in the absence of the Abbey Choir. Rates of pay compare favourably with other leading London church choirs, currently 60.50 for a Sunday morning and 87.50 for special services (reviewed annually). On Sundays the service begins at 11am, with a rehearsal at 10am. The successful candidate will form part of a pool of five regular sopranos who between them have first refusal on all Sunday and special services. There is no formal responsibility to fulfil a fixed quota of services, and the responsibility for engaging deputies is taken by the Music Secretary (except at short notice). Choral services are maintained throughout the year, including the summer and New Year periods; during term-time, however, occasional Sunday morning eucharists are sung by boy choristers (taking the place of the adult sopranos around 4 times a term). For further details, or to apply (with CV and covering letter) please contact Suzanne Wilson, Music Secretary, St Margarets Church, Westminster Abbey, The Chapter Office, 20 Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA (suzanne.wilson@westminster-abbey.org). Closing date: Friday 15 March 2013 Shortlisted candidates will be invited to audition in March/April, dates TBC. Appointments are probationary for a period of six months. Please note that all choir appointments are subject to a CRB check. The formal auditions will include singing a solo aria from an oratorio or similar work and a sight-reading test. The appointment process may also include an invitation to sing with the choir for one or more services before a final appointment is made. St Margarets Church stands next to Westminster Abbey, opposite the Houses of Parliament, and fulfils a dual role as the Parliamentary Church and part of the Westminster Abbey foundation. Since 1972 St Margarets has been under the jurisdiction of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey, and its links with the Abbey are very strong: the Rector of St Margarets is a Canon of the Abbey. St Margarets has a very distinguished tradition of choral music, which continues to develop under its Director of Music, Aidan Oliver, one of the UKs leading choral conductors. The organist of St Margarets is the internationally renowned recitalist, Thomas Trotter.

Email: aidan.oliver@westminster-abbey.org or suzanne.wilson@westminster-abbey.org

Director of Music 20 Deans Yard London SW1P 3PA Music Secretary: Phone 020 7654 4842 Fax 020 7654 4859
Aidan Oliver The Chapter Office