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St Benedict Biscop and the Venerable Bede. Wombourne. South Staffordshire. Our Village. Wombourne is sited just outside the city of Wolverhampton in beautiful countryside of South Staffordshire. It is a substantial village with a population of some 14,000 and our community has many of the facilities that you would expect in a commuter village. Our community includes 5 Primary Schools and 1 Secondary School. Our Church St Benedict Biscop is the Parish Church of Wombourne, although founded in Saxon times the present church was rebuilt under the direction of G. E.Street in 1860. Our sister church of the Venerable Bede built in 1959 serves the southern part of the Parish. The combined electoral rolls of the two churches is 300 and the average Sunday adult attendance is 130 at St Benedict s and around 15 at the Venerable Bede. At festivals the congregation can exceed 300, St Benedict s is very popular on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with 2 children s services, an informal Carol Service, Midnight Mass and Family Communion on Christmas Day. Total attendance in 2017 was approx 1250. Parish life thrives and our churches support a large number of organizations including those for children and young people. Staff St Benedict s is part of the Smestow Vale Team Ministry and is the primary focus of ministry for the Team Rector the Revd Preb Paul Brown who came to the benefice in 1998. The Team Rector is supported by Two Team Vicars, three Readers, a part time parish administrator a part time children s worker and an able, enthusiastic and supportive P.C.C. Services Worship at both churches is Eucharistically centred, and vestments are worn. The principal act of worship is Parish Communion Common Worship Order 1. A series of service booklets have been produced and these reflect the liturgical richness of Common Worship.. At Harvest, and on Mothering Sunday, Education Sunday, and Remembrance Sunday Family Communion includes a significant input from our young people. Evensong (BCP) is held on the first Sunday of the month and is supported by a small congregation and choir. More informal worship takes place once or twice a month usually during the early evening. There are three or four additional evening services during the year. Special Services are held on Ash Wednesday, in Holy Week and on Ascension Day and there is a tradition of a joint Advent Carol Service with the combined choirs of the other Team Churches. 2
The Organ The organ at St Benedict s is a three manual electronic Rodgers 925 pipe combination organ which was installed in 1996. The organ at the Venerable Bede is a smaller Rodgers organ. The Choir At present there are 16 adult members of the choir The choir are enthusiastic and very loyal and would welcome the introduction of a junior section. One of the aims of any director of Music should be to grow the choir younger. At present there is a single weekly choir practice on a Friday evening. A small number of instrumentalists (adults and young people) are available to compliment the organ at Family Communion. Wombourne Music Festival John Warren with the support of a festival committee initiated the Wombourne Music festival as a celebration of Music 10 years ago. It is both a celebration and as means of outreach into the local community. The Festival has attracted significant musicians and extended our links with local musicians and schools. How this is organized and staffed in future years will depend on the gifts and skills of the successful applicant. Holidays The Director of Music will have 6 Sundays holiday and 6 Choir practice(s). In addition to the forgoing there are no choir practices in the week following Christmas and Easter. Except in emergency and sickness any time off should be negotiated in advance with the Rector. The Director of Music should expect to take holiday during the school breaks and not to take holidays at Christmas or during Holy Week or on Easter Day. The leave year runs from the 1 st of January each year. A Deputy Organist is available to cover for holidays. Music Hymns Ancient and Modern Hymns and Songs for Refreshing Worship was introduced around two years ago. The Church possess a limited range of choral music. Local Schools The Church Foundation Primary School is sited close to the church. It has an excellent pastoral and academic record. The School Choir are invited to contribute to Sunday morning worship several times a year.. Our excellent relationship with the school could be developed. 3
Ounsdale Community High School is sited about half a mile from St Benedicts, it is possible that music could strengthen the links between church and school. Many of our local church children attend St Peter s Collegiate School in Wovlerhampton, a school that also puts a high priority on music. Payment The Church is committed to following the recommendations of the R.S.C.M. The current salary offered is up 6000 per annum ( subject to experience and qualifications.) The P.C.C. aspire to establishing a children s/youth section of the choir. If the post holder is successful an additional payment of up to 2,000 per annum may be made subject to a discussion with the Rector and Church Wardens. The salary is paid monthly in arrears. The current organist fee for a funeral is 70 and for a wedding 95, this includes any fee for video recording. The additional service fee is 50. Payments for occasional offices and additional servcies are claimed monthly in arrears. The Salary and the fees for occasional offices are reviewed each year. Occasional Offices There are between 30-50 funerals and between 15-25 weddings in church each year The Contract. The Director of Music will have a contract based on the RSCM pro forma. The appointment will be on a trial basis of 3 months in the first instance. An enhanced DBS check is a condition of appointment. Informal visits to the parish and or informal discussions with the Rector are welcome. He can be contacted on 01902 892234. Interviews Short listed candidates will be invited for interview at St Benedict s. Candidates will be given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the organ prior to interview. The interview process will include: 4
1. A solo organ piece. (no longer than five minutes.) 2. A short piece of sight reading 3. Work with the choir on a given piece of music (15-20minutes.) 4. Work with a small group of children ( approx. 15 mins.) 5. An interview panel. Job Description General duties 1. Subject to the general direction of the Incumbent the Director of Music shall have the care of and responsibility for the music at St Benedict s and the Venerable Bede. This is not restricted to choral and organ music. 2. The Director of Music will value traditional choral and organ music, and will develop and its depth and breadth to include more contemporary music. 3. The Director of Music will work, where possible, with instrumentalists and encourage them to contribute to our worship. 4. The Director of Music will be available for the principal services as listed in appendix 1 5. The Director of Music (or a competent deputy) will be available, as requested, for the occasional offices. The Choir 6. The Director of Music will strengthen and promote the existing choir 7. The Director of Music will develop proposals for the establishment of a junior choir through, for example, using and implement the RSCM s Voice for Life scheme. 8. The Director of Music will be responsible for recruitment, membership, good discipline and training of the choir and shall arrange weekly practices for this purpose. No choir practice is held the week after Christmas Day, or the week following Easter Day. A programme of choir practices shall be agreed with the Incumbent. 9. Only choristers who have been approved by the Incumbent and Director of Music shall be admitted to the choir, and the power to dismiss choristers shall be that of the Director of Music subject to the concurrence of the Incumbent. 10. The Director of Music will oversee the payment of the choristers for the occasional offices. 11. The Director of Music shall support and fully comply with the P.C.C. and Diocesan policy on Child Protection and shall ensure adherence to all statutory requirements including Health and Safety Regulations. 12. The Director of Music shall encourage the choir to play a full part in the wider life of the church. Deputies 5
13. There are a number of local musicians who are willing to deputise for the Director of Music on a Sunday and for the occasional offices. Planning 14. The Director of Music shall from time to time, at the request of the Incumbent, attend meetings of Wombourne P.C.C. and its sub committees where music and liturgy are being discussed and shall produce written reports when requested including for the Annual Church Meeting. 15. The Director of Music shall plan jointly with the Incumbent appropriate music including hymns and tunes. The monthly music list to be available to the Incumbent two weeks before the beginning of the month. The Organ and other Instruments 16. The Director of Music shall oversee the supervision and care, maintenance and tuning of the organs, pianos and library of sheet music. 17. The Organs will not be available to other users without the permission of the Director of Music, such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Outreach 18. The Director of Music shall support outreach through the development of music at St Benedict s and the Venerable Bede. 19. To support the Music Festival Cooperation 20. The Director of Music will co-operate with musicians in our ecumenical and Team Churches Wombourne PCC will consider candidates who, whilst not able to demonstrate all the essential criteria, show potential and desire to achieve them during their time at Wombourne. Appendix 1 Weekly 9.00am 10.30am Parish Communion ( The Venerable Bede) Parish Communion/ Family Communion Service ( St Benedict s) 6
Monthly 6.30pm Evensong Others Sunday in the Week of Prayer 6.30pm Ecumenical Service Ash Wednesday 7.30pm Monday in Holy Week 7.30pm Tuesday in Holy Week 7.30pm Wednesday in Holy Week 7.30pm Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Good Friday 2.00pm till 3.00pm Holy Saturday 7.30pm Ascension Day 7.30pm Eastertide 6.30pm Memorial Service All Souls tide 6.30pm Memorial Service Advent Sunday 6.30pm Advent Carol Service 2nd Sunday Advent 4.00pm Christingle 3rd or 4th Sunday of Advent 6.30pm Carol Service Christmas Eve 3.30,5.00, 6.30pm Children s services Christmas Eve 7.30pm Carols for Christmas Eve Christmas Eve 11.30pm Midnight Mass Christmas Day 9.00am Parish Communion ( Ven Bede) Christmas Day 10.30am Parish Communion Confirmation 7
Essential Desirable Qualifications ARCO, FRCO A good honours degree in music or a related subject Experience experience as a church organist experience of directing other musical ensembles experience of choral directing commitment to continuing professional development. Knowledge, skills abilities knowledge of a range of church music and liturgy and sympathy with our central tradition. vision of how the musical life of St Benedict s can be developed ability to recruit and retain choir members ability to manage teams and to develop their talents, setting standards and leading by example. Well-developed organisational, interpersonal, and presentation skills 8
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Personal Qualities good communicator and listener flexible approachable and caring personality diplomacy and integrity infectious enthusiasm good keeping, time management and an ability to meet deadlines Strong sense of Christian commitment and discipleship 10