CHOIR ASSISTANT, FRIDESWIDE VOICES

FROM SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER2017

FURTHER PARTICULARS

General

The Frideswide Foundation is a Charitable Trust that seeks to promote opportunity for girls aged between 7 and 14 to sing within the liturgy and within College Chapels in Oxford. Frideswide Voices, established in September 2014, is a girl choristers’ choir with up to 28 singers. The choir is directed by Will Dawes, rehearsing on Mondays and Wednesdays and singing weekly Evensongs (typically on Mondays). Frideswide Voices will have residencies at Christ Church, New College and Magdalen College in the 2017–18 academic year (one term in each college). The choir has also sung Evensong at Exeter, Oriel, St Peter’s, Trinity, The Queen’s and Worcester College Chapels in the past and will also occasionally sing at a selection of other college chapels or churches in Oxford in the year ahead. The choir makes occasional trips to sing Evensong at cathedrals beyond Oxford. Whilst mainly singing upper voices repertoire, the girl trebles haveopportunities to sing with the alto, tenor and bass members of some college chapel choirs from time to time.

The Choir Assistant will support the Director of Music and the Frideswide Voices teaching and pastoral staff in ensuring the pastoral care and safeguarding of choristers and in organisational aspects that support the musical activity of Frideswide Voices. There will be the opportunity for the Choir Assistant to be fully involved in Music Theory teaching and in occasional small group vocal coaching.

Description of duties

  1. To act as chaperone to the Frideswide Voices girl choristers from 4.15–7.15pm on Mondays and similarly to support for at least one hour of the 4.30–6.30pm Wednesday rehearsal session throughout term-time (approximately 10-week terms).
  1. In collaboration with all Frideswide Voices staff, to ensure the safeguarding of choristers. The Choir Assistant may at timesbe the main point of contact for choristers and families at drop-off and pick-up times. The post-holder will be required to undertake appropriate Safeguarding Training and to adhere to the Frideswide Voices Safeguarding Policy. The Choir Assistant will maintain confidentiality and act with discretion in all matters of pastoral care and safeguarding.
  1. To teach Music Theory up to at least Grade 3 to small groups within the Wednesday rehearsal session. The Choir Assistant will undertake the necessary planning and preparation to effectively deliver weekly 40-minute lessons. A group typically covers one ABRSM Music Theory Grade per year. The Music Theory Co-ordinator oversees the Music Theory programme and supports all theory teachers as required.
  1. To undertake other musical activities, if interested and by agreement, e.g. leading occasional short small group vocal training sessions or supporting Pre-probationer training.
  1. By mutual agreement to support at and possibly help in the organisation of wider activities such as choir social events, Cathedral visits, and “Be a Chorister for an Evening” taster sessions.

6.To promote Frideswide Voices in Oxford and beyond. There may be the opportunity to take responsibility for some elements of the choir’s social media profile.

7.To support the organisation of the Frideswide Voices Library.

8.To collaborate with Frideswide Voices Committee members for the termly relocation of the Frideswide Voices Library and robes between the college residency bases.

9.Any variance or absence from these duties must be agreed in advance with the Frideswide Voices Committee Chair and Director of Music.

This is a wide-ranging and formative role and the incumbent will be encouraged to discuss aspects that are of particular interest or relevance to their experience and ambitions.

Terms and Conditions

  • Weekly remuneration of £30-50 is offered, depending on experience.
  • The position is subject to the satisfactory completion of one term’s probationary period.
  • The post-holder will formally report to the Chair of the Frideswide Voices Committee but will be required to work directly with the Director of Music, the Pre-probationer Coach and the Music Theory Co-ordinatoron a weekly basis and to collaborate with all members of the Frideswide Voices Committee as appropriate.
  • The Choir Assistant will have the opportunity to observe all areas of choral direction and training and gain experience of working within the Anglican liturgy and in music education.
  • The applicant will be required to undergo a confidential enhanced DBS criminal record check.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

  • The Choir Assistantmust have some experience of choral and church musicor music education and must demonstrate a willingness to develop their skills through engagement with the activities of Frideswide Voices.
  • S/he must be an energetic and enthusiastic communicator and advocate for the choir both inside and outside of Oxford. S/he must be able to support the Committee in the work of providing music sung by girl choristers withinthe liturgyin Oxford college chapels and in ensuring the safeguarding of all girls.
  • S/he must be courteous and supportive in his/her interaction with choristers, parents and colleagues and able to take appropriate initiative in responding to pastoral or medical concerns for choristers.

Desirable:

  • The post-holder should have an interest in Music Theory and demonstrable subject knowledge.
  • S/he should have some experience of or ambition to work with youth choirs or in music education.
  • The post would be suited to a student or recent graduatewho is resident in the Oxford area and is eager to develop his/her experience in music education and/or choral music within the liturgy.

For an informal discussion or if you have any queries please contact Tanya Simpsonby e-mail (). For further information about the choir please refer to the website:

The closing date is 4pm, Friday 15th September 2017. Candidates who are away from Oxford during the long vacation are encouraged to contact Tanya Simpson for preliminary information and to indicate availability for interview in September or early October. Interviews will take place from 18th September 2017.

Applications must include:

  • CV showing your places of study/career to date (including any breaks in study or work of more than three months) and any other details relevant to this application, including the names and addresses of two referees, at least one of whom should be a current or recent teacher or tutor.
  • A covering letter, setting out your suitability for the post.

These should be sent by e-mail to Tanya Simpson, Committee Chair, Frideswide Voices at this address:

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