St George's Cathedral, Southwark is looking to appoint a new Cathedral Organist to start from 1st January 2024.
Music is an integral part of worship in the Cathedral and accordingly the role of Cathedral Organist is very important. Choral and organ music are fundamental to the Cathedral’s tradition, with sacred music a key feature of all major liturgical celebrations at cathedral and diocesan level. The Cathedral Organist is the cathedral’s only organ-playing member of staff, and so has responsibility for all organ playing as well as oversight of the instrument’s maintenance, in collaboration with the organ consultant and tuners.
For full details, including background information, main responsibilities, person specification and organ specification, please download the Job Description (PDF).
The Organ
The Cathedral organ was built by John Compton Organ Company Ltd and was completed in 1958.
The organ is an ‘extension organ’, with nineteen ranks of pipes inventively furnishing a three-manual organ of 72 sounding stops, broadly in the English Romantic tradition. The organ is installed in two enclosed chambers located east of the south transept above the Martyr’s Chapel. Behind the wooden grille facing into the Chancel can be seen the hooded Tuba rank. Behind that is the box containing the Great and Choir pipework, with horizontal shutters opening some five feet above the Swell box; the Swell faces at a 90-degree angle to the Great and Choir box, west down the aisle.
A restoration of the organ was completed in 2019, and Harrison & Harrison are currently responsible for the tuning.
Terms and Conditions
- Hours of work: 9 hours per week
- Salary: £11,500 per annum with additional services expected at £11,000
- Holidays: Pro rata of 28 days per annum including public holidays
- Pension: We operate the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) scheme
As this role involves regulated activity with children, this appointment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure.
To submit an application please send a covering letter and CV including the contact details of two referees to Sarah Wood at hr@rcaos.org.uk by Friday 27 October 2023. In your letter please outline the skills, characteristics and experience which you believe make you a suitable candidate for the role.
Interviews and auditions will take place on 14 and 15 November 2023.
To arrange an informal discussion of the role with the Cathedral Director of Music please email: music@stgeorges.org.uk