Director of Music - Holy Trinity Parish Church, Sutton Coldfield

Director of Music - Holy Trinity Parish Church, Sutton Coldfield

2nd August 2024

Introduction

Holy Trinity seeks to appoint an enthusiastic Director of Music to oversee the music for worship in this Civic Parish Church. Our worship is of a central tradition with a focus on the Eucharist, with sung Mass settings. Our hymns are selected from both traditional and contemporary traditions, along with offering an occasional anthem sung by the choir. We have a small but dedicated robed choir which we hope to increase in number and an informal band of mixed instruments which currently plays with the piano/organ for All-In worship.

The next Director of Music of Holy Trinity Parish Church should have proficient skills in playing the organ and piano (preferably ARCO, but at least Grade 8). They should have experience of playing a wide range of music for worship, of leading a choir and should be able to work with the minister to lead services, offering good and accessible worship.

Appointment will be by interview and practical test.

Responsibilities

(a) The Director of Music shall be responsible to the Rector/Priest in Charge (or Churchwardens in a vacancy) with regard to all music in the Church, recognising that the Minister has authority in all matters relating to the conduct of services, including what parts are to be said and sung respectively and the amount of musical elaboration suited to the needs of the congregation.

(b) The Director of Music shall direct the music and perform their other duties at all the ordinary services and rehearsals listed here:

• Sunday 10.00am Service

1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of every month – Holy Communion

2nd Sunday of every month – All-In Worship with band

• Friday evening choir rehearsal, planning and taking the rehearsal (currently 90 minutes weekly with occasional breaks in holiday periods by agreement)

Sunday morning choir and/or band rehearsal. There may be additional rehearsal before the service as required (from 9.15 for a 10am service)

Christingle Service (Advent 1 or 2, 4.00pm)

Candlelit Carol Service (Advent 3 or 4, 6.30pm)

Crib Service (Christmas Eve, 3.30pm)

Midnight Communion (Christmas Eve, 11.30pm)

Christmas Day, 10.00am

• Annual Civic Service held in May/June on a Sunday afternoon
• Commemoration of the Departed, All Saints Sunday, in the evening
• Annual services held in combination with other churches – held at Holy Trinity by rotation with various other churches – on occasions when Holy Trinity are hosts:

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Sunday 6.30pm

Ascension Day 7.30pm

• Other services ad hoc as required (e.g. civic occasions)
• The opportunity to play for weddings and funerals

(d) The Director of Music shall work in collaboration with the Rector/Priest in Charge (or Churchwardens in a vacancy) in the occasional duties outlined here:

• Selection of hymns, including choir anthems, at least one month in advance
• Work to develop the choir numerically, particularly those singing parts (ATB) and ‘youth’ sections
• Any other appropriate duties as required by the Rector/Priest in Charge (or Churchwardens in a vacancy)

(e) Where the Director of Music is unavailable to perform his/her duties, the Director of Music should arrange for an alternative organist to play for the service and/or take any rehearsals, subject to agreement with the Rector/Priest-in-Charge.

(f) The Director of Music shall oversee the supervision of the care and maintenance of the church’s organ in conjunction with church administrators.

(g) The Director of Music will be a part of the Ministry Committee which sets the worship plan, including planning for special services.

(h) The Director of Music will complete a DBS check, receive safeguarding training and agree to abide by the safeguarding policy of Holy Trinity Church as outlined on the church website (a copy can be obtained).

(i) The Director of Music will be entitled to take 6 Sundays off per year as annual leave.

Salary will be in accordance with RSCM rates.

To apply for the role, please complete the application form here and email it to clergy@htsc.org.uk or by post: FAO Rev’d Canon Becky Stephens to Church Hill, Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1T. Applications are due by 9th September 2024.