7 Sept 2024
St George's is looking for the new singers to join our music department.
2024/2025 – Soprano and Alto vacancies
St George’s, the Parish Church of Bloomsbury, is a stunning Hawksmoor church located near Holborn, the British Museum, and the University of London on Gower Street. We are a welcoming community, embracing individuals of all faiths and backgrounds.
Music at St George’s
St George’s is not only a place of worship but also a vibrant hub for music. We host a busy concert series and a variety of liturgical services where music is essential in enhancing the spiritual experience. The Choral Young Artist scheme, now in its ninth year, is an integral part of this tradition.
Choral Young Artists
This scheme is ideal for students or recent graduates looking to develop their choral and solo singing skills. We have openings for a Soprano and an Alto for the 2024/2025 academic year (October to October). In addition to fulfilling liturgical duties, successful applicants will have ample opportunities for solo performances.
Our previous Choral Young Artists have continued their studies at prestigious institutions like the National Opera Studio, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Opernhaus Zürich. Many have also sung with renowned ensembles such as Tenebrae, I Fagiolini, and Polyphony.
During the year, you’ll perform a wide repertoire, from Renaissance motets to contemporary commissions. The scheme runs for one year, with a possibility of extension by mutual agreement.
Schedule
The main singing duties are on Sunday mornings. All Young Artists sing together on the first Sunday of the month, with other Sundays in the month being sung by a solo Young Artist on a rotational basis. Young Artists will be able to choose the solo pieces performed for cantor services in agreement with the Director of Music. There is also a monthly weekday evening service, which will either require full or solo attendance (by rotation and depending on the service).
In addition to this, attendance will be required for the major services of St George’s Day, All Souls’ Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and the carol service (usually the Wednesday before Christmas). There will be an outreach event or concert and a choral evensong every term at the discretion of the Director of Music.
Honorarium
Young Artists will receive an honorarium based on a per-service fee, paid in three equal instalments at the end of each term. While full attendance is expected, prior arrangements can be made with the Director of Music if a deputy is needed, with the corresponding deduction from the honorarium.
There is also the possibility of using the church’s rehearsal or singing tuition space by arrangement. Additional services, such as weddings and funerals, will be compensated with a special fee.
For further details please contact
Director of Music, Sam Bardsley: organist@stgb.org.uk