News Archive - January 2009
Post Of Organist & Director Of Music
The Parish Of Eaton Bray With Edlesborough
(Diocese Of Saint Albans)
Post Of Organist & Director Of Music
Vacancy
The vacancy arises through the retirement of Mr David Radwell, who has held the post for the past twelve and a half years.
Context
The parish comprises the sizeable villages of Eaton Bray (in south-west Bedfordshire) and Edlesborough (in the Aylesbury Vale District of Buckinghamshire), situated between Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard and Hemel Hempstead. The parish of Eaton Bray includes the hamlet of Wellhead, and that of Edlesborough includes the villages of Dagnall and Northall. The total population is in excess of 6,000.
The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin dates from the early 13th century, and is of considerable architectural significance. It was extensively remodelled at the end of the 15th century, and restored over many years at the end of the 19th and in the early 20th centuries. The former parish church of Edlesborough, also dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, was declared redundant in 1975, and is vested in the Churches Conservation Trust. It too is a 13th century building with very fine 15th century furnishings. Occasional services are held here (currently at Christmas, Easter and Harvest-time).
There is also a Chapel of Ease in the village of Dagnall, a church which is shared by the Church of England and Methodist congregations. All Saints', Dagnall, has its own volunteer organists.
Services
There is one choral service in St Mary's each Sunday, a Sung Eucharist at 10.00am, using Common Worship, Order One. The service is sung to a congregational setting (several are in current use), and the choir contributes a motet at the end of the administration of Communion.
On one Sunday a month this service follows a more informal style (it is called "Worship for Everyone"), often including young people in leading parts of the service, and using the talents of a group of young instrumentalists in accompanying some of the hymns. Most of the instrumentalists are also members of the choir. While some administration in connection with this group is undertaken by volunteers it remains under the overall control of the Director of Music.
Additional choral services are held at Christmas and during Holy Week, and on Ash Wednesday, Ascension Day and All Souls' Day. The Parish is part of the North Chilterns Group Ministry and is an integral part of the local Churches Together group - occasional services are held in connection with these.
The retiring Organist has created an excellent partnership between choir and congregation, and good congregational participation in the music of worship is central to the musical ethos of St Mary's, alongside an appreciation of the additional contribution to worship which can be made by well-prepared choral items.
Choir
The choir consists of over 20 members, including 12 juniors (boys as well as girls), and adults on all four parts. Like many choirs today it could do with more men.
The choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music, and junior choristers follow its training scheme.
In September 2008 two choristers were entered for the Bishop's Chorister Award and two for the Dean's Chorister, and in each category one gained a distinction and one a merit. 2 choristers have recently been awarded their yellow ribbons. Choristers have taken part in RSCM Summer Courses. The arrangement and direction of such training will be the responsibility of the Director of Music.
A weekly practice is held on Friday evenings, with occasional additional meetings for the juniors for training or for learning new music. Practices are not held immediately before services because the only space available for practice is in church.
The Director of Music purchases music for the use of the choir within a budget set by the P.C.C., and is responsible for the safe custody and care of all music belonging to the church.
The choir has sung occasional concerts, and participated in other musical activities locally.
Organ
A new 2-manual pipe organ was built by Peter Collins in 1991, and is regularly maintained. It is located in a gallery in the (west) tower.
Specification: Great - Open Diapason 8', Stopt Diapason 8', Trumpet 8', Principal 4', Twelfth, Fifteenth 2', Tierce, Mixture III; Swell - Faggot 16'; Chimney Flute 8', Bass Flute 8', Principal 8', Gamba 8', Cremona 8', Open Flute 4', Octave 4', Fifteenth 2', Tremulant; Couplers: Swell to Pedal, Great to Pedal, Swell to Great.
The Director of Music arranges for the regular tuning and maintenance of the organ, and advises the P.C.C. about the condition of the organ and any significant works which may become necessary.
Other Musical Activities
Occasional concerts, recitals, etc., are staged at St Mary's, and the PCC is keen to develop this aspect of church life. The church has recently been re-seated to make it more comfortable and adaptable for such ventures, and it is hoped to upgrade the heating system in 2009.
The Director of Music would be expected to work with others in arranging and publicizing such ventures. The Friends of St Mary's (recently established) has worked with South Bedfordshire District Council in promoting musical events.
Schools
Because the parish lies in two counties, working with schools is more than usually complicated. Bedfordshire has a 3-tier comprehensive system, and Buckinghamshire a 2-tier selective system. There are no church schools in the parish. Eaton Bray has a Lower School (Years 1-4; roll just over 100), from which pupils move to Middle Schools in Dunstable or Leighton Buzzard, and thence to Upper Schools. Edlesborough has a Combined Primary School (Years 1-6; roll just over 250), from which pupils move to Grammar Schools in Aylesbury or the Community School in Wing. Pupils occasionally move from the village to school in Tring.
Occasional Offices
There is a small number of weddings each year in church. It is hoped that the new Regulations will make it possible for this to increase, because the church has had to decline many enquiries about weddings at St Mary's because the couple are unable to fulfil the legal residence requirements.
The number of funerals in church varies between 12 and 20 in any given year.
The Director of Music will have the right to play at these, and also the responsibility of finding a deputy if unable to fulfil the commitment on any occasion. St Mary's has two other competent organists associated with it, one of whom is retired, and they are willing to deputize for holidays, occasional offices and other absences. The Director of Music will be expected to help couples intending to marry in St Mary's to choose the music for their service when requested.
Salary
The post of Organist and Director of Music is offered at a salary (reviewed annually) of £3,000 per annum, payable quarterly in arrears.
A contract will be offered, setting out detailed requirements of the post.
Appointment
The appointment will be made by the Vicar and Churchwardens with the consent of the P.C.C., and will be subject to enhanced CRB clearance. It is held in accordance with the Canons of the Church of England. The Director of Music will observe at all times the Child Protection Policy of the P.C.C. and the Diocese of St Albans.
How To Apply
Please see the Organist Application Form which should be filled in and returned to the vicar as explained at the end of the form by 23 February 2009.
-- MALCOLM E. GRANT (Vicar, on behalf of the P.C.C.)
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