Appointment of Organ Scholar/Assistant Organist

As a result of the restructure of the Minsters Music Department, we would like to appoint an
Organ Scholar or Assistant Organist from September 2014, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Organ Scholar/Assistant Organist will join the Music Department at an exciting time and
will be able to participate fully in all aspects of church and community music, providing
invaluable career development opportunities.

The organ scholar/assistant organist will be expected to:
Attend or direct some or all of the weekly choral rehearsals at the Minster;
Attend or lead some or all of the choral outreach activities in local schools;
Play the Minster organs or direct the Minster choir at some or all choral and
congregational services;
Deputise for the Director of Music in his absence; additional fees will be payable
where these would have been paid to the Director of Music;
Take responsibility for the Minsters Choral Library

Opportunities for additional remunerated work also exist within the area. As an example, the
Grimsby Bach Choir may wish to offer the successful candidate the position of Assistant
Musical Director, and wish to engage him or her to accompany rehearsals and concerts as
appropriate.

In order to perform their duties, the organ scholar/assistant organist, will be required to live in
accommodation provided by the Minster. Rent, council tax, water rates and utilities will be
paid by the Minster.

The Minster will pay the sum of 5000pa.

Grimsby

Grimsby is situated within the unitary authority of North East Lincolnshire, between the River
Humber, the Lincolnshire Coast and the Lincolnshire Wolds. There are direct train services to
Doncaster, Lincoln, Manchester, Newark, Sheffield, and the East Coast mainline can be
reached via interchanges at Doncaster or Newark. With good connections, London can be
reached in fewer than three hours. By car, Hull (the UKs next European City of Culture),
Leeds, Lincoln, Nottingham, Manchester, Sheffield, York are all within two hours drive.

North East Lincolnshire is a wonderful place to live and work; Grimsby Minster is at the heart
of our borough, geographically and spiritually. As part of the Church of England, Grimsby
Minster offers a wide range of Sunday and weekday services drawing on a strong choral
tradition to enhance the worship. As the Civic Church for North East Lincolnshire we host
many of the Civic Services marking important events in the life of our region.

The Minster Organs

The Minster has two organs. There is a fine, three-manual Walker organ at the West End,
built in 1951 and incorporating some pipework from the pre-war organ which was largely
destroyed by enemy action in World War II. In the Chancel, there is a remarkably versatile
two-manual extension organ built in the 1970s by Johnson of Cambridge, which is used for
choral accompaniment.

The Minster houses, on loan from North East Lincolnshire Council, a grand piano. There is
also a modern upright piano in the Michael Hunter room, which is used for choir rehearsals.

The Minster Choir

The Minster Choir is at an exciting point of expansion. Trebles are drawn from a number of
schools across the county and beyond. At the moment, the treble section is mixed. The back
rows are provided by talented former choristers and by a small number of gentlemen of the
choir, singing to high standards.

The plan is to boost recruitment, in part through outreach work within local schools, leading to
two treble sections: one provided by girls, the other by boys, with each rehearsing on two
weekday evenings, and each singing two weekly services. The Minster is a delivery partner
with the North East Lincolnshire Music Education Hub, and the countys Music and
Performing Arts Service is enthusiastically supporting the Minsters choral development plans.
The organ scholar/assistant organist will have a crucial role in assisting the Director of Music
in developing the Choirs.

The post is to begin in September 2014, or as soon as possible thereafter and would suit
someone wishing to take a gap year between school and university, or a recent graduate.

Person Specification

REQUIREMENTS
The post holder must be able to demonstrate:
ESSENTIAL (E)
DESIRABLE (D)
Education/Training

Music degree or graduate diploma
Organ study to an advanced level
Professional organ qualification




D
E
D
Knowledge & Experience

Experience of playing for choral services
Experience of directing singers
Experience of working with and training young voices



E
E
E
Competencies

Verbal and written communication
Team player
Remain calm under pressure
Supervising and motivating children
Commitment to professional development



E
E
E
E
E
Special Features

Sympathy with the services and aims of the Church of England
Enhanced DBS Disclosure



E
E

For an informal discussion, please contact the Director of Music designate, Steven Maxson,
on 07778 060558 or steven.maxson@grimsbyminster.co.uk. To apply for the position, please
send an up to date CV along with a covering letter to the Reverend Canon Andrew Dodd,
Rector of Grimsby, The Minster Office, Saint James House, Grimsby DN31 1EP, or by email
to admin@grimsbyminster.co.uk.